DHS Confidentiality Policy

Pat McManaman, Director of Human Services, testifies before House Human Services Committee Chair, Rep. John Mizuno

Yesterday, Human Services Director Pat McManaman testified before the House Committee on Human Services on the department's confidentiality policy related to child welfare. At issue was the recent case of an unexplained death of a 9-month-old Hau'ula boy while in state custody.

The child, Jayvid Waa-Ili, was taken from a relative into state custody on August 10, 2011 and then died on August 26th.

Director McManaman defended the current policy to not release information in fatal cases. A full story appeared in today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Read here.

Chair John Mizuno has been critical of the previous administration's director Lillian Koller for releasing information on the state's website on fatal cases after seeing first hand how families and friends of the victims are impacted. Yesterday, he said that he liked where the current director is heading, noting that the confidentiality policy allows for flexibility when warranted.