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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-09 Letter to Josh Green re HB 2277, HD 1 Relating to Child Welfare ServicesHarry Kim Mayor Oltruttfij ffirt 11 Wil Okabe Managing Direc for Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing [Erector 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 March 9, 2018 Senator Josh Green, Chair Committee on Human Services Hawaii State Capitol, Room 016 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Green and Committee Members: Re: HB 2277, HD 1 Child Welfare Services Hearing Date: 03-12-18 — 2:45 pm; Conference Room 016 Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of HB 2277, HD 1. My staff and I have been made aware of the critical need to improve chi d welfare services in Hawaii County. While both of the State's East and West Hawaii offices are su ering from a shortage of manpower, the initiative proposed in HB 2277, HD 1 recognizes the reality that it is in East Hawaii where the State has the best chance to hire and retain the necessary personnel. The caseload numbers that were presented at an earlier hearing on this bill varied a great deal, but it seems clear that the child welfare caseload in East Hawaii is shocking and disturbing. Child welfare workers have so many clients that it would be considered unacceptable by national standards. Add to that the handicap of being asked to cover a huge geographic area, requiring a great deal of time-consuming travel, and it is no wonder that the community is begging for your assistance. The positions and funding requeste in HB 2277, HD 1 are for a "pilot project" If that is determined to be the best way to give some relief to the East Hawaii workers and the keiki they serve, then 1 defer to your wisdom on that matter. My main concern is that the workers and their clients get the relief called for, and the sooner the better. Thank you for your consideratio Respectfully submitted, Harry Kim Mayor, County of Hawaii County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.