HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0050.003 2008-2010Page 1 of 1
P/~~~
Murashige, Laura
From: Julie Nagasako [Julie.nagasako@catholiccharitieshawaii.org]
Sent: Monday, January O5, 2009 11:53 AM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: CCH TESTIMONY Comm 50 - 01//06/09
Attachments: CCH Testimony - COMM 50.pdf
Aloha,
2~D9 JflN 5 PIS >?_ 30
~;lil)i t 'a 1.1 ~~ i;~
Catholic Charities Hawaii would like to submit the attached testimony regarding COMMUNICATION 50 to be
heard on January 6, 2009 at 10:30 a.m before the Committee on Human Services & Economic Development. .
(Please note this represents our agency CCH and is separate from testimony submitted as the contact for the
community network Community Alliance Partners (CAP))
Mahalo!
Julie Nagasako
CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAWAII
Hawaii Island Community Director
Catholic Chanties Hawaii
204 Waianuenue Ave.
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone (808) 961-7051 Fax (808) 961-7059
Julie.nagasako@catholiccharitieshawaii.org
www. catholicchaxitieshawaii.osg
"Catholic Charities Hawaii -helping people in need to help themselves, regardless of their faith."
The information in this e-mad is confidential and is legally privileged. It is intended solely fox the addressee. elccess to this e-mail
by anyone else is unauthorized and may lead to civil and/ox criminal penalties. If you have received this message in error, please
delete all electronic copies of this message (and the documents attached, if any); destroy any hard copies you may have created
and notify Catholic Charities Hawai i immediately at (SOS-535-0129).
comm. tVo. 50.3
Ref. To: ~~04}~ ~
Ref. Date s
1 /5/2009
TO: Emily Naeole, Chair
J Yoshimoto, Vice Chair
Committee on Human Services and Economic Development
FROM: Julie Nagasako, Hawaii Island Community Director
Catholic Charities Hawaii
DATE: Monday, January O5, 2009
RE: Comm 50: PRESENTATION BY STAKEHOLDERS OF THE ADULT
MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT
BUDGET CUTS
Aloha Chair, Vice-Chair, and Members of the Committee on Human Services and
Economic Development,
Thank you for taking the time to hear concerns regarding the recent budget
cuts to mental health services, which have a significant impact for Big Island
residents and service providers. Catholic Charities Hawaii provides intake,
information and referral services through our Community Office and we receive
inquiries from many individuals, families and service providers each month.
Many of the clients requesting assistance are either recipients of, or in need of
mental health support services. Some of these clients are eligible for emergency
financial assistance through grant programs that we administer.
However, without the support of case management many of these clients
would not be successful in accessing additional services. (The process of
application and collection of necessary documentation and follow up is
significantly facilitated by case management support.) It is a serious concern that
the loss of support services has immediate impact, as well as an extended impact
since it will further isolate individuals in need.
Furthermore, when we encounter individuals in need of these support
services, the ability to refer to qualified and effective mental health providers is
critical to providing a comprehensive support for persons in crisis and their
ongoing need.
I hope that together we will be able to advocate for support for these
services and develop a local community response.
Mahalo nui loo!
~~ ~°~---