STAND. COM. REP. NO.76-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2080

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2080 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Establish the Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers (Learning Centers) Program (Program);

(2) Convert existing A+ after-school programs into Learning Centers; and

(3) Appropriate funds to operate the Program and hire additional staff, if necessary.

The goals of the Learning Centers are to:

(1) Open schools and expand opportunities for learning during out-of-school hours to children and parents, and turn the schools into safe, healthy, drug-free community centers;

(2) Give youths and community members enriched learning opportunities and reduce the number of at-risk children;

(3) Improve communication and collaboration between the Learning Centers, school staff, and community organizations and sustain community services;

(4) Improve behavior, school attendance, and academic achievement of students; and

(5) Focus support on children in early adolescence, while including children and adults.

Many individuals who have worked with the Learning Centers and other concerned individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Education (DOE) supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee believes this Program is very beneficial to the children who were fortunate enough to participate in activities at existing Learning Centers. The Learning Centers provide many activities including literacy education, nutrition and health programs, and recreational programs. Testifiers stated that there is improved school attendance by children that have participated in the Program.

Currently, Learning Centers are funded by three-year block grants. One testifier estimates that DOE will receive approximately $5,000,000 from the federal government to provide grants to develop Learning Centers. Your Committee hopes that the Program can eventually be merged with the A+ after-school program to maximize resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2080 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

MICHAEL P. KAHIKINA, Chair