Report Title:

UH School of Social Work

Description:

Appropriates $750,000 for the UH School of Social Work to establish a distance-learning master of social work program.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1854

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the university of hawaii.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there has been a long-standing shortage of professional social workers in Hawaii. This shortage is particularly acute outside of Oahu, and in the rural and more remote areas of the State. Besides the obvious benefit to the community, working in underserved areas can be beneficial for the professional development of a social worker. Many social workers who work in regions that are in particular need of their services find that they develop an especially strong bond and commitment to their community.

Unfortunately, there are few opportunities for those who live in remote areas to pursue graduate degrees. Nationally, this issue has been addressed through the development of outreach programs that use computer and other technology to convey course material. These "distance learning" or "distance education" programs bring educational opportunities to people who have no reasonable access to school campuses that offer their chosen course of study.

The school of social work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has been the only unit of the university to provide a continuous graduate outreach program to the neighbor islands over the past fifteen years. The goal of the program is to continue to provide learning opportunities where they are most needed and expand to meet future state needs while making use of more powerful and effective technologies as they become available. However, the school of social work can no longer afford to continue this service, nor expand to address future needs without additional funding.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the school of social work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to fund and operate a master of social work via distance education program.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $750,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the school of social work at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to operate a master of social work via distance education program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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