HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-29 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S. C. Keith-Agaran re HB 2277, HD 1, SD 1 Relating to Child Welfare ServicesV OCL
Will Okabe
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Director,
Harry Kim
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Barbara J. Koss,ow
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25 Auun!i Street, Suite 2603 HilIo, Hawai'i 96720 * (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA- 74-5044 ane KeohokAlole Hwy.,, Bldg C * Kailua-Kona, Haw aTi 96740
(808) 323-4444 # Fax (808) 323-4440
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Cha,ir
Committee oni, Ways and, Means
I i
Ha�wai'l State Capitol, Room 211 1'
Honolul'u, HII 96813
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agara,n, Vicei-Chliaiir
Committee on Ways and Means
1
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 211
Honolulu, HI 916813
Dear Chair Dela Cruz,1 Vilce-Chair Keith-Agaran, and Committee Members -
Re HIB 2277, HD 1, SD 1 Relating to ChildWelfare Services
i erenice Room 211
Hearing Datei.-, 04/Oi3/2018 — 10:00 am; Coinif
Thank you for this oiplpioirtuinit,y to te,stify in support of HIB 227'7', HID 1, SD 1.
My staff and, I have been made aware of the, critical need to, improve child welfare services in
Hawa"i'County. While both of the State's East and West Hawal'i offices, are suffering from a shortage of
'the initiative proposed in HB 2277, HID 1, S,D 1 recognizes the reality that it is, in East Ha�wail'i
manpower,
where the State has the best chance to hire and retai'n the necessary personnel.
The chlild' wel'fare caseload in East Hawai'i is shocking and disturbing. Child' welfare workers
have so, many cl�ients that it would be considered unacceptable by naonal standards. Add to that the
hIa,ndicap of beingi asked' to cover a huge geographic area, requiring a great deal of time-consuming
travet, and it is no wonder that the community is begging for your assistance.
Ing requested in H'B 2,277, HID 1: SD 1 are for a "pilot projeict. If that is
The positions and fundi
determined to be the best way to glive some relief to the East H'awaii workers and the kelki they, serve,
then I defer to, your wisdom on that matter. My maiin concern is, that the workers and their clilients, get the
rel'ief called for, and the sooner the better.
Thank you for your cons ideration.
R ectfully s,ubmitted,
arry Kimi,
Mayor, Couinty of'Hawai i i
County ofl-lawai'l is an Equal OpportUnilty Provider and Employer,