STAND. COM. REP. NO.459

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 955

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 955 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for early intervention programs and services for infants and children from birth to three years of age with developmental delays.

 

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Early Intervention Coordinating Council and the American Physical Therapy Association, Hawaii Chapter. Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Health (Department).

Your Committee finds that an increasing number of infants and toddlers with special needs have been identified and require services as identified in their Individual Family Support Plans. The Department of Health's Early Intervention Section provides services to infants and toddlers with special needs through a combination of state Early Childhood Services Programs, Purchase of Service (POS) programs, and fee-for-service providers. Within the last three years, the number of children served by POS programs increased 33%, from 628 children in 2000 to 833 children in 2002. As a result, actual costs have far exceeded budgeted levels. During the past years, the Department was able to make up the shortfall through reallocation of unused personnel funds within the Early Intervention Section; however, this option is no longer available.

Your Committee further finds that the cost of providing early intervention services is an investment that saves the State having to pay for more costly interventions and services later.

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. 955 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair