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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1399 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The malama ohana working group was established
by Act 86, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, within the office of wellness and
resilience to seek, design, and recommend transformative changes to the State's
existing child welfare system. In its
report submitted to the 2025 legislature, the malama ohana working group stated there is a shortage of resources
in Hawaii dedicated to preventing children and families' involvement with child welfare
services, especially primary prevention and universal support. The malama ohana working group recommended
the establishment of primary prevention and universal support programs that are
trauma-informed and culturally responsive in an effort to divert children and
families away from involvement with the child welfare system.
The
legislature further finds that community and school‑based organizations
are safe, accessible, and non‑judgmental spaces where families can access
formal and informal supports and referrals. Providing family strengthening programming
helps to increase parents' protective factors, including parental resilience,
social connections, concrete support, knowledge of parenting and child
development, and social-emotional competence of children. Community- and school‑based
organizations, such as family resource centers, have been successful in
reducing the number of families reported to the child welfare system.
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish a five-year family resilience pilot
program within the office of wellness and resilience.
SECTION
2. (a)
There is established within the office of wellness and resilience a
family resilience pilot program, in which the office of wellness and resilience
shall provide:
(1) Trauma-informed peer support navigators with
lived experience who have gone through the social services system to assist
families with enrollment in public or other benefits, family strengthening, and
cultural programming; and
(2) Financial assistance and resource supports to
aid with food, clothing, hygiene, housing, parenting, childcare, household, and
transportation needs.
(b) The office of wellness and resilience, shall
establish, no later than December 31, 2025, the following:
(1) Data
and referral system tracking needs and protocols in compliance with applicable
state and federal laws; and
(2) An implementation and evaluation plan that
includes specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, and time-bound goals.
SECTION
3. There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025–2026 and the same
sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
office of wellness and resilience to carry out the purposes of this Act,
including the contracting of services to implement the pilot program.
The
sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of wellness and resilience.
SECTION
4. This Act shall take effect on December
31, 2050, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2030.
Report Title:
Office of Wellness and Resilience; Family Resilience Pilot Program; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes the Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience and appropriates funds to execute the program, including the contracting of services. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. Repeals 6/30/2030. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.