Family support services, emergency shelter care, recruitment of foster families and training for social workers are among the services being reduced by the Department of Human Services in cost-cutting moves.
Child Welfare Services contracts with community providers and the University of Hawaii are being reduced by $5.8 million, effective Dec. 1, the department said this week in a news release.
While contracts with some providers are being cut altogether, those whose services are not being eliminated might experience a cutback in funds, the department said.
"The decision to reduce funding and terminate some of our (child welfare services) programs was not easy," Human Services Director Patricia McManaman said in a statement. "Although the economy is improving, state revenue is still lagging."
She added, "Essential services will not be jeopardized, nor will Hawaii’s children and families be exposed to harm."
Before deciding where to make reductions, the department said, Child Welfare Services reviewed all contracts and service providers to examine costs related to use of services over the past two years, as well as duplicate services.
Some contracts being terminated provide family services such as counseling, substance abuse treatment, mental health and domestic violence services, temporary child care and transportation. The contracts and services were deemed duplicative, according to a department spokeswoman.
The largest of those contracts was with Kapiolani Child Protection Center in West Hawaii, worth $113,000. Other contracts ranged from $50,000 to $93,000 with providers on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
The department also decided to end contracts worth $343,000 with the University of Hawaii for consultation services and training of Department of Human Services social workers.
Reductions included $912,000 for emergency shelter home services in all counties and $700,000 for recruitment, licensing and training of foster care families.
Funding for counseling and support services, psychological evaluations and fingerprinting services contracts also are being reduced.
State Rep. John Mizuno, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, said he had serious concerns with the cuts and hopes to meet with McManaman about the issue next week.
"It’s not like a faucet you can just turn on and off," said Mizuno (D, Kalihi). "Once you close a contract or no longer fund it, we may never get those services back.
"That’s our concern — that and the fact that it’s really in an area where we need to be steadfast and protect our most vulnerable people in society: our keiki."
Mizuno said he and his state Senate counterpart, Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, would wait until meeting with McManaman before deciding whether legislative hearings on the matter would be needed.
"Child protective services is an area that we want to defend at all costs," Mizuno said. "I don’t know what the chances are of us getting those contracts back up when session starts. I just don’t know."
