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HB1383
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1383
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to a family resilience pilot program
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that
more programs and services
must be established to address the unmet needs of children and families at risk
of child welfare system involvement.
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The malama ohana working group
was e
stablished by Act 86, Session
Laws of Hawaii 2023, within the office of wellness and resilience to seek,
design, and recommend transformative changes to the State
'
s existing child welfare system.
�
In its report submitted to the legislature
, the malama ohana working group stated
that there is a shortage of resources in Hawaii dedicated to preventing the
need for children's and families
'
involvement with child welfare services, especially primary prevention and
universal support.
�
Many families at high
risk of entering the child welfare system are unaware of available services or
how to access them.
�
The malama ohana
working group recommended that the establishment of programs, such as universal
family supports, that allow families to thrive are prioritized above all other
commitments in an effort to divert children and families away from involvement
with the child welfare system.
�
The
malama ohana working group specifically provided suggestions for family support,
such as creating accessible pathways to concrete supports like food and
shelter, establishing community-based resource centers staffed by individuals
with lived experience, and meeting families
'
basic
needs for housing, child care, and physical and mental health care.
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The
legislature
further
finds that examples of child welfare
diversion programs exist in other states and have been successful in reducing
the numbers of families involved with child welfare.
�
These diversion programs have been successful
by screening at-risk families and providing them with peer support and system
navigation, resource program supports and financial assistance, and parenting
and family-strengthening classes and therapy.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a five-year
family resilience pilot program within the office of wellness and resilience.
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SECTION
2.
�
(a)
�
There
is established within the office of wellness and resilience a family resilience
pilot program, in which the office of wellness and resilience shall provide
:
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(1)
�
Trauma-informed
peer support navigators who have lived experience going through the social
service system to assist families with enrollment in public or other benefits,
family strengthening, and cultural programming;
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(2)
�
Financial assistance and resource supports to
aid with food, clothing, hygiene, housing, parenting, child care, household,
and transportation needs; and
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(3)
�
A trauma-informed, parenting intervention
program
that improves caregiver-child relationships
and parenting skills through teaching and coaching on positive communication,
child behavior management strategies, and calming and emotional regulation
strategies for both caregiver and child.
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(b)
�
The office of wellness and resilience shall
submit a report of the effectiveness and participation in the pilot program,
including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of the regular session of
2031.
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(c)
�
The family resilience pilot program shall
cease on June 30, 2030.
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SECTION
3.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,468,500 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for
the
office of wellness and resilience to establish a family resilience pilot
program pursuant to this Act, including the contracting of services to
implement the pilot program
.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the
office of wellness and resilience for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Family
Resilience Pilot Program; Office of Wellness and Resilience; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
and appropriates funds for a five-year family resilience pilot program within
the Office of Wellness and Resilience.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.