STAND. COM. REP. NO. 16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 537

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 537 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to create one full-time equivalent program specialist position within the Adult Protective and Community Services Branch to oversee the foster grandparent program and senior companion programs in Maui County.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committee finds that the foster grandparent program and senior companion program provide income eligible seniors with an opportunity to actively age by mentoring exceptional and special needs children and providing companionship and assistance to frail and isolated older adults.  However, there is a lack of adequate staffing to serve the approximately 11,000 seniors with chronic conditions living in Maui County who could benefit from services from a senior companion.  Having a program specialist position based in Maui County will provide program support to the foster parent program and the senior companion program, including developing senior volunteers and recruiting and supporting volunteer stations to coordinate assignments in school settings and for home-bound seniors.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 537 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair