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WHEREAS, HHS Hawaii screens families at the Kona Community Hospital, Hilo
<br />Medical Center and North Hawaii Community Hospital (prenatal and postnatal) to identify a
<br />newborn's risk level for unfavorable outcomes by assessing several areas for risk. These risk
<br />factors might include personal childhood experience, lifestyle behavior, mental health, direct
<br />parenting experience, coping skills and support systems, stress, anger management, expectations
<br />of infant's developmental milestones and behaviors, discipline methods, perception and
<br />reception of a new infant, bonding and attachment; and
<br />WHEREAS, HHS works cohesively with Hawaii Island Pediatricians, Obstetricians and
<br />Gynecologists, public health nurses, Department of Human Services, Department of Health,
<br />STEPS Program, and the Department of Education and a number of community nonprofit and
<br />for profit organizations, including Easter Seals, Early Childhood Support Program, Care
<br />Hawaii, Department of Human Services, Kamehameha Bishop Estate Programs, Good
<br />Beginning Alliance, Family Strengthening Services, Voluntary Case Management to extend their
<br />visibility and reach to Hawaii Island residents; and
<br />WHEREAS, many social service programs on Hawaii Island refer stressed families
<br />directly to HHS for assistance; and
<br />WHEREAS, when fully funded, HHS Hawaii Island assists approximately 700 (Fiscal
<br />Year 2007-2008) families; however since receiving a budget cut of thirty-three percent of its
<br />original funding in the fiscal year 2008-2009 State Budget, HHS Hawaii Island is currently only
<br />able to service approximately 470 families; and
<br />WHEREAS, continuing funding for HHS and restoring its full funding amount will
<br />lower costs for the State in the areas of health care, medical costs, special education, treatment of
<br />child abuse, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and crime; and
<br />WHEREAS, discontinuing funding for HHS will result in a job loss for over
<br />200 employees statewide in an already sagging economy and will result in unemployment costs
<br />and weakening of families that have been self-sufficient; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Kauai County Council recently adopted Resolution No. 2009-28 on
<br />January 28, 2009, by unanimous vote, for the continued and restored funding of the Hawaii
<br />Healthy Start program; now, therefore,
<br />BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, that the
<br />Governor of the State of Hawaii and State Legislature are encouraged to recognize the value of
<br />HHS; and
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Governor of the State of Hawaii and State
<br />Legislature are respectfully urged to restore full funding for HHS for the fiscal year 2009-2010
<br />State Budget; and
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