HI HB1365

Establishes the Malama Ohana working group within the office of wellness and resilience to develop recommendations for transforming Hawaii's child welfare system to be trauma-informed, community-based, and responsive to children and families.

Working group composition includes representatives from the office of wellness and resilience, office of Hawaiian affairs, department of human services child welfare branch, department of health trauma-informed care task force, EPIC-Ohana, Hale Kipa Inc., Nā Kama a Hāloa, Kamehameha Schools, and Lili'uokalani Trust, with two co-chairs requested.

Working group shall conduct listening sessions, develop best practices recommendations including Native Hawaiian cultural practices, identify workforce training needs, and submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2025 regular session convening.

Appropriates funds to the department of human services for contracted services supporting adoption assistance and permanency assistance programs, including IT systems development, increased employee compensation, third-party permanency support services, and establishment of one planner/project specialist position (1.0 FTE).

Appropriates funds to the office of wellness and resilience for the working group operations, including contract with an administrative facilitator; working group ceases to exist July 1, 2025.