NCJ Number
199106
Date Published
2002
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This fiscal year 2001 annual report of Hawaii's Department of Human Services (DHS) describes its challenges and activities.
Abstract
The DHS' responsibilities include welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation services, medical assistance, foster and child care licensing, child welfare services, and home-based and community-based support for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. The Social Services Division provides protection and security for abused children and dependent adults. The division's goal is to reduce the recurrence of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment. Child Welfare Services (CWS) programs include child protection; family support; foster care; adoption; independent living; and licensing of foster family boarding homes, group homes, and child placing organizations. In fiscal year 2001, CWS expanded specialized services to foster parents on Oahu and targeted recruitment of foster families for children with special needs. CWS established 8 multiagency case coordinators and 21 additional case support aides statewide to improve case coordination for families with special-needs children. The Office of Youth Services of the DHS coordinates the Youth Gang Response System (YGRS), a program created to address the problem of youth gangs through an orderly and coordinated effort. The YGRS has government agencies working with community-based providers to develop and deliver social and economic opportunities for both youth at-risk for gang involvement and youth currently involved with gangs. YGRS components include law enforcement and gang intelligence, the sharing of information, training and community awareness, school and community-based prevention and intervention programs, and research and evaluation. The Office of Youth Services also provides juvenile diversion programs as well as nonresidential and in-community services for youth who are experiencing behavioral, emotional, substance abuse, or adjustment problems while in the community. 23 tables