Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Center on the Family; Appropriation

 

Description:

Increases the educational capital of the State through an appropriation to the center on the family at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

428

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  There are serious problems in Hawaii that compromise the well-being of its people.  For example, an average of eleven infants under the age of one die each month due to accidents, neglect, maltreatment, or other causes.  At the other end of the life continuum, our State is not prepared for the significant number of elders who will require supportive services.  Between 2000 and 2030, individuals sixty years and older will increase by ninety-four per cent and those eighty-five years and older will grow by one-hundred seventy-five per cent of the State’s population.  In addition, Hawaii has too many individuals and families who are struggling financially because of the wide gap between their incomes and basic living expenses.  There are also a considerable number of people living unsheltered and approximately one third of those receiving homeless services are children.

     The University of Hawaii center on the family’s data, information, and training raise the educational capital of the State and improve its capacity to meet the challenges of these and other problems.  The center monitors key indicators relating to children, families, and the elderly in Hawaii to assess their well-being over time, identify problem areas, and track the effect of policies and programs.  It provides the most comprehensive collection of data and information on children, families, older adults, and communities through its web-based data center.  This data center has received a national award of excellence and distinguishes Hawaii as the only state in the nation with a website with data and publications focused on its aging population.  The center’s educational materials have been widely used in classrooms and the community to raise awareness and increase knowledge in areas such as:

     (1)  Children’s development and care;

     (2)  Building strong families;

     (3)  Drug use among youth;

     (4)  Demographics of older adults;

     (5)  Hawaii’s vulnerable people, such as the homeless and abused; and

     (6)  Other topics.  

Some of these materials have been the first reports on important subjects, for which valid and reliable data had not previously been available (e.g., the report on homeless individuals and families receiving services in Hawaii, community profiles on forty-three school complex areas, and the economic self-sufficiency report in partnership with the Aloha United Way).  In addition, the center’s training and outreach improve the organizational capacity, leadership, and staff competence of many community groups.

     Because of its value to both governmental and community nonprofit agencies, it is important that the center on the family continue to contribute to the State’s educational capital and that its efforts are sustained.  Policy makers, program directors, service providers, and advocates need and benefit from the center’s work.  They use it to gain an increased understanding of significant issues confronting Hawaii, improve decision making, develop policies and proposals that secure millions of dollars to the State, prepare reports and program materials, and enhance services to the State’s poorest citizens.   These activities, in turn, improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the center on the family at the University of Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The University of Hawaii shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session on its actions taken pursuant to this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________