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V OCL
<br />Will Okabe
<br />Vlanaging
<br />Director,
<br />Harry Kim
<br />t
<br />NIqyor
<br />Barbara J. Koss,ow
<br />Deptt�v A4(inciging Direclor
<br />0 OF; tIVAA4
<br />tett off r a r
<br />25 Auun!i Street, Suite 2603 HilIo, Hawai'i 96720 * (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
<br />KONA- 74-5044 ane KeohokAlole Hwy.,, Bldg C * Kailua-Kona, Haw aTi 96740
<br />(808) 323-4444 # Fax (808) 323-4440
<br />Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Cha,ir
<br />Committee oni, Ways and, Means
<br />I i
<br />Ha�wai'l State Capitol, Room 211 1'
<br />Honolul'u, HII 96813
<br />Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agara,n, Vicei-Chliaiir
<br />Committee on Ways and Means
<br />1
<br />Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 211
<br />Honolulu, HI 916813
<br />Dear Chair Dela Cruz,1 Vilce-Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members -
<br />Re HIB 2277, HD 1, SD 1 Relating to ChildWelfare Services
<br />i erenice Room 211
<br />Hearing Datei.-, 04/Oi3/2018 — 10:00 am; Coinif
<br />Thank you for this oiplpioirtuinit,y to te,stify in support of HIB 227'7', HID 1, SD 1.
<br />My staff and, I have been made aware of the, critical need to, improve child welfare services in
<br />Hawa"i'County. While both of the State's East and West Hawal'i offices, are suffering from a shortage of
<br />'the initiative proposed in HB 2277, HID 1, S,D 1 recognizes the reality that it is, in East Ha�wail'i
<br />manpower,
<br />where the State has the best chance to hire and retai'n the necessary personnel.
<br />The chlild' wel'fare caseload in East Hawai'i is shocking and disturbing. Child' welfare workers
<br />have so, many cl�ients that it would be considered unacceptable by naonal standards. Add to that the
<br />hIa,ndicap of beingi asked' to cover a huge geographic area, requiring a great deal of time-consuming
<br />travet, and it is no wonder that the community is begging for your assistance.
<br />Ing requested in H'B 2,277, HID 1: SD 1 are for a "pilot projeict. If that is
<br />The positions and fundi
<br />determined to be the best way to glive some relief to the East H'awaii workers and the kelki they, serve,
<br />then I defer to, your wisdom on that matter. My maiin concern is, that the workers and their clilients, get the
<br />rel'ief called for, and the sooner the better.
<br />Thank you for your cons ideration.
<br />R ectfully s,ubmitted,
<br />arry Kimi,
<br />Mayor, Couinty of'Hawai i i
<br />County ofl-lawai'l is an Equal OpportUnilty Provider and Employer,
<br />
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