HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0992.012 2018-2020 --Debra Toledo-Rbreo--P.O. Boaz S --Honokaa, 111 96727
COUNTY CLERK
July 8, 2020 COUNTY OF HAWAIII ..,
RECEIVED
Dear Hawaii County Council Members, -
Date JUL202
I am submitting testimony in support of Resolution No. 680-20 for your 4611, session on July 8,
2020. This resolution supports and urges equity, inclusion, and social and economic justice
principles into COVID-19 related recovery initiatives for Hawaii County. I am in full support of
this resolution.
I'm Debra 'Toledo-Cbreo, a current resident of Ahualoa and a health educator with the 3
Hamakua-Ifohala Health Center. In this role, I go into schools from Laupahoehoe to Waikoloa
and Kohala to teach on various health related topics. I am a lifelong resident of Hawaii Island
and was a member of the Hawaii County Committee on the Status of Women from 2015
through March of this year.
My time on the CSW was focused on prevention of teen dating violence because I work closely
with youth and see the devastating impacts that teen dating violence can have on their
development into adults and successful members of our society. I have also witnessed what
happens when those who are in abusive relationships during their teenage years do not receive
appropriate education and support to safely remove themselves from specific relationships
and/or that vicious cycle of vulnerability.
In my role as a health educator, I am currently adapting my curriculum in the event that
instruction needs to be delivered remotely in the fall. Many of the topics that I cover are
sensitive in nature and having discussions via a virtual format will certainly change the
dynamics of how much students decide to engage in the conversations. Additionally, I know
that I am not able to fully control the learning environment for each student. This includes not
knowing whether or not parents or potential abusers are in the same space with the student
hearing what is being taught. I have had to factor this detail into how I adjust my curriculum to
ensure that no student is negatively impacted through their participation.
Not only do I bear witness to the impact that COVID-19 is having on our students and how
some of them currently find themselves "stuck" with their abuser for much more time each day,
but I am also feeling the impact of being an educator and needing to make drastic changes to
how I deliver my curriculum. I,and many of my colleagues, are part of the statistic of women
providing education and doing the best we can to ensure equity and inclusion in what we do
while being mindful about the social and economic realities our students are faced with during
this challenging time. We are navigating this with little assistance. Partnership and
collaboration to help us all be stronger and better together is what I see as a possible result of
this resolution. For all of the reasons above, I ask you to please support this resolution.
Tha you far your cons'derat" n,
Debra Toledo-Ebreo
No.
ate .1 2029