Bill > SB2861

This bill requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to create a detailed plan for a new "Kakou Pilot Program" aimed at assisting families and children in need, utilizing unspent funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The pilot program's plan will outline services such as child wellness visits, food box distribution, counseling for families exiting foster care, and trauma-informed care for vulnerable children, with the ability to define "eligible families" beyond just TANF recipients. The office must submit preliminary findings by early 2027 and a final plan by June 30, 2027, after which TANF funds can be used for the program starting July 1, 2028, including funding for an external evaluator to assess its effectiveness. The planning phase for this program will conclude on June 30, 2027, and the bill includes a provision to ensure its compliance with federal funding requirements.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2861&year=2026