2018-03-13 Letter to Chair Mizuno re SD 2276, SD 1 Relating to Child Welfare Services

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Harry Kim Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Dcputy ,Wanaging Director ffi. cr 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kaillua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 March 13, 2018 Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair Committee on Health and Human Services Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Mizuno and Committee Members: Re: SB 2276, SD 1 Relating to Child Welfare Services Hearing Date: 03-15-18 — 10:00 am; House Conference Room 329 Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 2276, SD 1. My staff and I have been made aware of the critical need to improve child welfare services in Hawaii County. While both of the State's East and West Hawaii offices are suffering from overload, the initiative proposed in SB 2276, SD 1 recognizes the reality that it is in East Hawaii where the State has the best chance to hire and retain the necessary personnel. The caseload numbers that were presented at earlier hearings on this bill varied, as some testifiers measured the number of children per caseworker versus the number of families assigned. Either way, it seems clear that the child welfare caseload in East Hawaii is shocking and disturbing. Child welfare workers have so many clients that it would be considered unacceptable by national standards. Add to that the handicap of being asked to cover a huge geographic area, requiring a great deal of time-consuming travel, and it is no wonder that the community is begging for your assistance. The positions and funding requested in SB 2276, SD 1 are for a "pilot project," and if that is determined to be the best way to give some relief to the East Hawaii workers and the keiki they serve, then 1 defer to your wisdom on that matter. My main concern is that the workers and their clients get the relief called for, and the sooner the better. Thank you for your consideration. Resp ctfully subrnitted, Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawaii County If Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.