HI SCR88

Requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience establish the Malama Ohana working group to identify and recommend transformative changes to Hawaii's child welfare system.

Working group composition includes the Director of Human Services, two Child Welfare Services Branch staff members, representatives from EPIC Ohana and Hale Kipa as co-chairs, plus officials from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, and Liliuokalani Trust.

Co-chairs invited to include two former foster youth, two birth parents involved with child welfare services, two licensed resource caregivers, and two kinship resource caregivers as participants.

Working group tasked with conducting informational meetings, identifying training and best practices (including Native Hawaiian cultural practices), and improving coordination between the Child Welfare Services Branch and community agencies.

Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 Regular Session convenes; members serve without compensation.