HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-13 Letter to Chair Mizuno re SD 2276, SD 1 Relating to Child Welfare ServicesHarry Kim
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Dcputy ,Wanaging Director
ffi. cr
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kaillua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440
March 13, 2018
Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair
Committee on Health and Human Services
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Mizuno and Committee Members:
Re: SB 2276, SD 1 Relating to Child Welfare Services
Hearing Date: 03-15-18 — 10:00 am; House Conference Room 329
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 2276, SD 1.
My staff and I have been made aware of the critical need to improve child welfare
services in Hawaii County. While both of the State's East and West Hawaii offices are
suffering from overload, the initiative proposed in SB 2276, SD 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 earlier hearings on this bill varied, as
some testifiers measured the number of children per caseworker versus the number of families
assigned. Either way, 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 requested in SB 2276, SD 1 are for a "pilot project," and 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 consideration.
Resp
ctfully subrnitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County If Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.