HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0050.001 2008-2010
communication 50-Adult Mental Health Page 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura P1145WC
From: Gretchen Lawson [gretchen@arcofkona.orgj
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 11:18 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: 'Julie Nagasako'
Subject: communication 50-Adult Mental Health
Attachments: County council-homelessness.doc p
For tomorrow's hearing. gretchen
Gretchen S. Lawson, President/CEO_
Arc of Kona
PO Box 127 Kealakekua, HI 96750
808-323-2626
808-323-9444 fax
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Comm: o. S0
Ref. To• °0~f~ S 66C
Ref. Date JAN 6 2 U
1/5/2009
January 5, 2009
Mr. Pete Hoffman, Vice Chair
Hawaii County Council
Re: Comments concerning Communication 50: Adult Mental Health Reductions
Good Morning Vice Chairperson Hoffman and members of the County Council:
My name is Gretchen Lawson, I reside in District 8 at 75-5342 La'aulu Rd in
Holualoa. I am the President/CEO of the Arc of Kona providing supports and services to
individuals with disabilities, primarily developmental disabilities. I am also an active
member of the Community Alliance Partners working to identify and provide solutions to
Homelessness in West Hawaii. I commend this council for recognizing the need and the
importance of providing assistance to this population. My interest in speaking to you
today is two fold:
1) People who are homeless find themselves in that position based on many differing
circumstances; a majority of people who are homeless are mentally ill and have not been able to
adjust to the expectations of society. Therefore individuals affected by mental illness are unable
to work to earn enough money to participate in the economy and obtain housing. These people
can be helped and housing is the most important factor. Once they have shelter (a primary drive)
their world becomes more secure and they are able to build enough trust to accept counseling and
medical help so they can learn to re-integrate into their communities. The cuts to Mental Health
are unbelievably severe-the worst part is that the cuts are going to pull the supports from under
people who can and have made great progress in helping themselves to a better life. Without the
supports society will pay anyway, they will just pay in less obvious ways such as need to more
protection, greater risk of health hazards as the need for hygiene and medical care becomes more
complex and the impact on the communities is more visible. Whatever the county can do to
counteract this downward spiral would be most appreciated. The worst part of this is that the
services are being cut to the population directly affected by mental illness but, as I am told, the
State workers who oversee those services will stay in tact as the Governor has promised no State
layoffs. A very disturbing scenario, if the people who are intended to be supported by the
Department of Health, Adult Mental Health Division lose services, what will all those state
emplyees be overseeing? It doesn't make sense.
2) The loss of services to vulnerable populations goes far beyond the mentally ill. People with
Developmental Disabilities are also losing services. Their individual budget are being cut 15%
from the 2007 year based on utilization. In reality, that 15% cut has meant as much as 60% for
some people because they did not live on the island full time in 2007 or because they had such
little to begin with. An across the board cut leaves precious little room for considering individual
circumstances. When individuals are separated from their support, it often means families can no
longer work as they must be there to care for the dependency of the individual. I do not have
answers to these complex questions. I do understand the State as the rest of the world is now in a
declining economic spiral; but I also think that in a world where unscrupulous mortgage lenders,
insurance companies, auto manufacturers and now the steel industry is given monetary support;
we could come up with something that supports our most vulnerable populations.
Thank You,
Gretchen Lawson