Report Title:

Asset Building; Disabled Persons; TANF Funds; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a three-year pilot project within the Department of Human Services to conduct and expand asset building classes statewide to serve individuals with disabilities and the parents of children with a disability.  Appropriates funds.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

732

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO ASSET BUILDING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that according to the National Council on Disabilities, 44 per cent of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) benefit recipients are individuals with disabilities.  Further, almost 20 per cent of TANF benefit recipients are the parents of a child with a disability.  There exists a critical need to coordinate services for TANF benefit recipients to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities along with the needs of those for whom learning continues to be a lifelong struggle.

     The legislature further finds that there is a need in Hawaii to work toward establishing linkages and strengthening existing ties between different services for teenagers with disabilities.  This should include services that young parents can use while they are teenagers that would facilitate their transition to adulthood, such as vocational rehabilitation services.  There is a need to use TANF funds to create interagency linkages that are designed to help teenagers meet the TANF rules, such as coordination between school systems and agencies that provide disability services.  TANF funds can also help to provide support services.  For example, as explicitly described in federal temporary TANF guidelines, a teenage parent who receives supplemental security income might be provided child care or transportation through TANF.

     Some individuals with disabilities require program modifications and support services to participate in and benefit from education and training programs.  Hawaii must work toward assisting these individuals so that they can fulfill TANF work requirements.  The need for adequate screening and assessment is particularly acute for applicants and recipients with disabilities, because it is unlikely that disabilities will be identified and appropriate program placements and support services will be provided without them.

     Access to the proper expertise and resources should be provided to assist individuals with disabilities who are unable to navigate the existing benefits-application processes, and to ensure that the skills and experience to further assist those who are unable to meet specified work requirements are available.

     The purpose of this Act is to enhance asset building for individuals with disabilities and the parents of children with disabilities by:

     (1)  Requiring the department of human services to establish a pilot project to expand asset building classes; and

     (2)  Appropriating funds for the pilot project.

     SECTION 2.  The department of human services shall establish a three-year pilot project, beginning with fiscal year 2009-2010, to conduct and expand asset building classes statewide to serve individuals with disabilities and the parents of children with a disability by helping them develop skills in:

     (1)  Accessing existing community resources;

     (2)  Assessment and training on assistive technology;

     (3)  Career exploration; and

     (4)  Basic computer literacy.

     The department of human services may enter into contracts pursuant to chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of temporary assistance for needy families funds the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for the department of human services to establish a three-year pilot project, beginning with fiscal year 2009-2010, to conduct and expand asset building classes statewide to serve individuals with disabilities and the parents of children with a disability by helping them develop skills.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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