STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1975

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 664, 665, 666

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 664, 665, and 666, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

State Council on Developmental Disabilities

G.M. No. 664	MARY BROGAN, for a term to expire 06-30-2027;
G.M. No. 665	DEBORAH KOBAYAKAWA, for a term to expire 06-30-2027; and
G.M. No. 666	ALANA SOUZA, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Mary Brogan, Deborah Kobayakawa, and Alana Souza for service on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

MARY BROGAN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Mary Brogan from the Department of Human Services; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hilopa‘a Family to Family, Inc.; and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Brogan's knowledge, leadership, and commitment to serving the people of the State qualify her for reappointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member representing state entities that administer funds provided under federal law relating to individuals with disabilities. Dr. Brogan earned a Master of Education in Counseling and Guidance and a Doctorate in Social Welfare and Educational Administration. Dr. Brogan has worked within the disabilities field for over twenty-five years and currently serves as the Administrator of the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health. Prior to that, Dr. Brogan served as a Performance Improvement Coordinator for the Department's Behavioral Health Administration. In addition to her leadership within state agencies, Dr. Brogan is involved in disability policy at the national level, serving as President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. Your Committee notes that Dr. Brogan has served on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities since 2018, and her deep understanding of the systems that serve individuals with disabilities is instrumental to the Council's work. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mary Brogan be reappointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her expertise, experience, and dedication to serving individuals with disabilities.

DEBORAH KOBAYAKAWA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Deborah Kobayakawa from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kobayakawa's experience, advocacy, and desire to serve qualify her for reappointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member representing parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. As a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, Ms. Kobayakawa is passionate about helping families navigate the complex systems of care that serve individuals with disabilities. Currently, Ms. Kobayakawa owns and operates an independent consulting practice, Heart to Heart Parent Consulting, where she equips parents with the skills needed to advocate for their children within the Department of Education and Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division. In addition to providing independent services, Ms. Kobayakawa also facilitates support groups for parents of individuals on the autism spectrum as a Group Facilitator with Ho‘omana Parent Support Group. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Kobayakawa's deep understanding of state systems of care is rooted in more than a decade of service as a Special Education Teacher with the Department of Education. Your Committee notes that Ms. Kobayakawa has served on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities since 2020, including as Chair for two years, and her personal experience and insight provide critical contributions to the Council's work. Your Committee therefore recommends Deborah Kobayakawa be reappointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her background, knowledge, and passion for supporting families of persons with disabilities.

ALANA SOUZA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Alana Souza from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Souza's knowledge, professional experience, and record of public service qualify her for reappointment to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities as a member representing state entities that administer funds provided under federal law relating to individuals with disabilities, including title XIX of the Social Security Act. Ms. Souza holds a Bachelors of Social Work and is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work. She has gained extensive experience within the disabilities field over the past decade, including serving as a social worker for the Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division and in her current role as a social worker for the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division, where she reviews applications for the state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver Program, among other responsibilities. Your Committee notes that Ms. Souza has served on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities since 2022, and her knowledge of the state's QUEST Integration Program and experience working with individuals with disabilities receiving QUEST Integration benefits have been beneficial to the Council's work on improving access to health care services for individuals with disabilities. Your Committee therefore recommends that Alana Souza be reappointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities based on her experience, expertise, and dedication to serving the people of the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair