HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0448.010 2014-2016f1coullt��
Murashige, Laura
From:
Gomez, Daniel I. <Daniel.Gomez@doh.hawaii.gov>
Sent:
Friday, October 30, 2015 4:19 PM
-
To:
Council Testimony
Cc:
Wise, Tracey; Hawai'i Island Going Home Consortium
Subject:
Submitting Written Testimony for Resolution 268-15, Draft 2
Attachments:
Written Testimony for Resolution 268-15, Draft 2 for County of Hawai'i
-from Daniel
Gomez.docx
Please see attached.
Aloha,
Daniel I. Gomez
Psychiatric Case Manager/Social Worker
N. Hawaii Adult Mental Health Svcs.
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(808) 987-2122 work cell.
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Ref. Date NOV 0 3 2Q1
1
10/30/2015
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Resolution 268-15, Draft 2
Aloha Council Members,
I am writing to express my support of Resolution 268-15, Draft 2 that urges the County of
Hawaii to enlist in the Stepping Up Initiative to reduce the number of jailed persons at Hawaii
Community Correctional Center (HCCC) with mental illness.
By enlisting Hawaii County in this national effort you will afford us the opportunity to gain
necessary training, support, and hopefully put us "on the map" for available funding. As you
know, our County is in desperate need of funding to support services within the community that
have the ability to assist these mentally ill, non-violent offenders prior to, upon, and following
their release.
If these non-violent, mentally ill offenders are able to gain access to services prior to
incarceration (through the Jail Diversion program) or automatically upon their release from a jail
or prison facility, the recidivism in our County will lower significantly and our Department of
Public Safety personnel will not face the stress and frustration of having their facilities over
capacity; and therefore, overburdened. This will make for a much safer, healthier, and productive
community for us all to work, play, and enjoy.
Thank you for taking the time to read this testimony.
Mahalo,
Daniel I. Gomez
Psychiatric Social Worker/Case Manager
N. Hawaii Adult Mental Health Services,
(808)987-2122 / DanielGomez@DOH Hawaii.gov,