Children’s health, safety and education among the
measures included in package of bills
Expanding
the eligibility age for children to attend the preschool open doors program,
support for teacher training on social and emotional learning, and funding to
establish an after-school program for public middle and intermediate schools
are just some of the measures included in this year’s Keiki Caucus Legislative
Package.
“These
bills and resolutions address a variety of issues that assure Hawai‘i’s
children and their families are happy, healthy and ready to learn and to
succeed,” said Sen. Rhoads (S Dist. 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu,
Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Palama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and
Downtown). “The work we do together as a caucus is an investment in our
future.”
Sen.
Rhoads and Rep. LoPresti are this year’s co-conveners of the Keiki Caucus.
Keiki Caucus is a bipartisan group of House and Senate members and is supported
by dozens of community advocates. Since 1994, the Keiki Caucus has been working
with the community to develop proposals and initiatives that address the health
and well-being of Hawai‘i’s youth.
“There is nothing more important in Hawaii than our
keiki. As lawmakers, we need to do everything we can to protect and educate
them,” said Rep. LoPresti (H Dist. 41 -‘Ewa, ‘Ewa Beach, ‘Ewa Gentry, ‘Ewa
Villages, Hoakalei, Ocean Pointe). “This proposed legislation is thoughtful and
proactive in reaching that goal. It's never too early for social and emotional
learning and anti-bullying education for our keiki – especially when children
may be confused by current online rhetoric. They need better role models and we
in the legislature can provide support to provide anti-bullying education this
legislative session.”
The
Senate and House bills and resolutions submitted by the Keiki Caucus for the
2017 session include:
Expands
the qualifying age for the preschool open doors program to children four years
old and younger.
Appropriates
funds for the P4C Program of the University of Hawai‘i Uehiro Academy for
Philosophy and Ethics in Education and for teachers of the Department of
Education to train with the P4C Program.
Requires
the Department of Education to provide training on social and emotional
learning to all youth-serving educators, health care professionals and
counselors, and agencies and programs, as well as parents of students enrolled
in public schools or public charter schools.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to conduct training on
social and emotional learning.
Appropriates
funds for staff positions and various services to support the Hawai‘i zero to
three court.
SCR8/HCR11 ENCOURAGING
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO IMPLEMENT AN INCOME
DISREGARD PROGRAM FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES
The
Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services is encouraged to
implement an income disregard program that will enable workers with
disabilities to seek or maintain employment, while also retaining necessary
Medicaid benefits and supports.
SCR9/HCR9 URGING
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CARRY ON ITS WORK TO BETTER ENGAGE COMMUNITY
GROUPS IN THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN HAWAII'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The
Department of Education is urged to carry on its work to better engage
community groups in the education of children and youth in Hawai‘i's public
schools.
The
Department of Education is requested to establish a Sexual Abuse Prevention
Education Task Force.
SCR11/HCR10 ENCOURAGING
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
SERVICES, AND JUDICIARY TO PERMANENTLY ESTABLISH AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN
THE HAWAI‘I INTERAGENCY STATE YOUTH NETWORK OF CARE TO BETTER SERVE YOUTH AND
FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX NEEDS IN THE STATE
The
Department of Education, Department of Health and Department of Human Services
are encouraged to form the Hawai‘i Interagency State Youth Network of Care
(HISYNC) to increase collaboration among state agencies and to develop a system
of care for children, youth and families.
SCR12/HCR7 URGING
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO EXAMINE THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE
PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL FAMILIES
The
Department of Human Services (DHS) is urged to examine the application process
for the preschool open doors program to ensure accessibility for all families. DHS
is also encouraged to consider a paperless or other, cost-free application
process that is accessible for all families.
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