STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1280-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.R. No. 26

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.R. No. 26 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING PROCEDURES FOR PLACING A CHILD IN TEMPORARY FOSTER CUSTODY WITH KIN OR NON-KIN FOSTER PARENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to develop a working group via the Department of Human Services (DHS) to convene a working group to study the feasibility of implementing procedures in making future foster custody placement decisions. Specifically, the measure seeks to study through the working group:

(1) What "attachment" is as it pertains to the relationship between a foster child and a caregiver, and how attachment can be considered when determining placement of a child;

(2) Circumstances under which siblings may be separated, and finding solutions to keep siblings together whenever possible;

(3) The length of time children should remain in the foster care system and finding solutions to minimize their time in the system, without jeopardizing the children's health or welfare; and

(4) Whether changes are needed to improve the present model of foster placement, or whether the methods of foster placement require further review and analysis.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported this measure. The Hawaii Foster Parent Association supported with amendments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 26 and recommends its adoption.

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

 

____________________________

ALEX M. SONSON, Chair