HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0978.004 2018-2020 From: Kai McBride .
Sent: Tuesday,June 16, 2020 8:58 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Rebekah Mraz; Kai McBride COUNTY CLE
RK
Subject: Testimony: Missing Children in Hawaii County COUNTY OF HAWAI,I
RECEIVED
8:58
Aloha: Time
Data
Please accept written testimony regarding missing children in Hawaii County.
Thank you for permitting written testimony about the issue of missing children On Hawaii Island. The health
and safety of children are core values that we share as a community. Being out of home increases the risk of
harm to youth; it puts them at greater risk of injury and sex trafficking. While we are not experts in sex
trafficking,we know that many of the same drivers that push or pull a child to run away are present with
children who are trafficked. Conflict between adults in the home and between parents and children are often
precursors to a child leaving the home without permission. Parental substance use and long work hours make
it difficult to monitor children who then turn to those outside the family for support. Research has shown that
children are strongly influenced by and pulled to the streets by negative peers (including adults) and substance
use. When adults do not act quickly to retrieve their children,the safety risks increase.
Teen Link Hawaii reports the following (https://www.teenlinkhawaii.org/rLinawUs):
Hawaii & National Facts and Statistics
• 7S% of homeless or runaway youth have dropped out or will drop out of school.
• One in seven young people between the age of 10 and 18 will run away.
• Youth ages 12 to 17 are more at risk of homelessness than adults.
• Runaway and homeless youth have high rates of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.This is
due to the results of sexual exploitation, unsafe sex practices, and sexual assault.
• 75% of runaways are female.
• 46% of runaway and homeless youth reported being physically abused, 36% being emotionally abused,
and 17% reported being forced into unwanted sexual activity by a family or household member.
The Child Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health (CAMHD) and Hawaii
Juvenile Probation have services available at no additional costs.These programs provide family
therapy, substance use interventions, and more. These programs are evidence-based and are proven
to be effective in improving intra-familial relationships and youth safety. Child and Family Service
provides two of these family therapy models: Multisystemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy.
Our mission is to foster the healthy development of children and families; we are committed to
providing trauma-informed care and reducing the incidents of runaway.
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Ref. ate i LIN 16 2020
Lastly, it is essential that we as a community address the factors that lead youth to leave home without
permission and stay out. We owe it to our children and to our community.
Thank you for your work on this important issue.
With Aloha,,,, , r
Il ili' c11:E:3rAid jaMA, 1, FT
Ciinrcal Supervisor Multisystemic Therapy Tears
81-6587 MarnAahoa Highway,Kealakekua,H1 '96750
P: 808-323-2664-M:808-313-2015 >F:808-323-2999
a ... .... : IYi 1 r Service -- "We're All About FAMILY"
www.childandfamilyservice.org - Facebook:(c$ChildandFamilyService ® Twitter:(a7CFShawaii d Instagram: CFShawaii
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*CFS is open during regular office and program hours* While our offices are physically closed to comply
with Statewide Emergency Orders related to COVID-19, and to ensure the safety of our employees and
participants, we are happy to assist you during business hours. Please call 808-681-3500 or visit
www.cliildandfamilyservice.ori/covidl9 for the latest updates on program availability.
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