Bill > SB952

This bill establishes a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program designed to support families and children who are involved with, at risk of involvement in, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. The program, to be implemented by the Department of Human Services in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, will include three key components: (1) trained peer support navigators with personal experience in the child welfare system who will help families access public benefits and community programs, (2) financial assistance and resources to meet families' basic needs like food, housing, and transportation, and (3) a trauma-informed intervention program focused on improving caregiver-child relationships through coaching on communication, behavior management, and emotional regulation strategies. The department may contract with public and private entities to develop and run the program, and will be required to submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature before the 2030 legislative session, with the pilot program set to expire on July 1, 2030. The bill is motivated by findings that the current child welfare system struggles with staffing challenges and that other states have successfully reduced family involvement through innovative support programs. An unspecified amount of funding will be appropriated from general state revenues to support the program's design, implementation, and administration.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=952&year=2026