HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0067.036 2006-2008 DI~~^=OT ~8:65am From-AMHD Trotter 606-733-9277 T-665 P.001/003 F-561
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~'~r FAX TRANSMISSION
~~NT O~ FROM:
Judith Crocken
Adult Mental Health Division
3675 Kilauea Ave.
North Trotter Basement
Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone (808)733-9364
FAX: (808) 733-9277
TO: The Honorable Pcte Hoffman, Chairman
ORGANIZATION: Hawaii County Council
District 9
PAX NUMBER: 808-961-8912
DATE: 1-18-07
COMMENTS:
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Letrnr of testimony from Chan, State Council on Mental Health, per Bill No. 345. ~
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Comm. No.- -(O
Ref. Tope,
Ref. Uate" JAN 19 2007
This C«+++%cacioa 13 intandatl only £or CSa use of tho person ar program named above,
and may contain infotstation that is privileged, confidential, and exempt from disclosure
under applicable law. T/e authorize disclosure of this c~~*++cation to such person or
program only. SP you Lave received this iafoYmaaion in orror, pioaso notify vs
x~ediately by collect phone call, and retRtt+ this original c~+~+cation via D.S.
postal Service to: Adult Mental Health Divieion, P. o. Bnr 3378, Honolulu, Rawaii 96801-
3378. Thank you.
ti
01-18-OT 03:05am From-AMHD Trotter 8D3-733-8277 i-B65 P.003/003 F-561
The tlonorablc i'etc I:Ioffntan
Ianuary i 7, 2UU7
Page
N•orkine w recovr~r their livzs. Tttis will improve the hautiing situation for those who err
most vulnerable and arc involved and able to participate in uzatmen[, psgcho;ocial
n:habilitatiun programs. and education and wort: in their community. Limited
a~~ailabilit)' of outpatient treatment without housing and. re,idential trealmen[ option;
adds nt thz revolting door vi relapsz, hospitalitatiun,elient and family Crustralion and
homclcssnes>. County taxpayers peg the tax burden fctr usz ofthc emergency room
hospitalization and other state tend wwtty sen ices.
In addition., thz t3tnncial burden for residential treatment providers is grew[ since many of
these pro~zams operate az a deficit when only ~ residents ate alluw'eti. Continued
operation of residzntial trvatntent programs at a loss will only force closure of these
pro_rams and limit the options for residents straggling with substance abuse and/or
mental illnes;_ Sezking a variance for every program sensing rhis popuiution is
impractical adds to (he financial losses of providers and discriminates a~ainit those u ith
disabilities. In essence_ Hawaii Comtty Council tvvuld ba rolling individuals tcith
disabilities and the prvviden that reeve them that they must jwnp higher than anyone else
w live and vp::rate housing and re;idenrial programs in this community .
1'hz State Cvunci! vn Ivk'ntal Health eame~tty asks that you nut hold the cultural ntiss[eps
mtd 1acl: vi uttder;tanding of community protocol against passing the amendmem of i to
R unrelated individuals living in a home, Weal] have to be aware that thz experience by
;nmc in tlx 1-lila community ofcultural in,ensitivi(y should nut resuh in punitive action
rv persons t+'ho are atnung the most tnt)nerable in our commmtirv_ This is a separate issue
frcnn 1hi one under eonsidcrativn. Thz StatC Couat'•il on Mental I lealth asks that you vOt~
to support this rule chattl;e from ~ to S unrelated individuals livine in a home.
Sincct'cly.
~~1d.. ~
Shelly Ugata, MPH, RN, Chair
State Council on Mental Health
c: 1_IKDA LINGLE, GOV1:fiNOR
c: Adult Mantsl Heahh Division
c: Child and Adolescent Menial 1•lcalth Div'isien