Urging The Legislature To Conduct Mandatory Inquiries Into All Fatalities And Serious Injuries That Occurred To Children Involved In Child Welfare Services.
The resolution calls for a comprehensive review of systemic failures contributing to these tragedies, with an aim to identify issues like poor communication among staff, inadequate resources, and failures to follow established procedures. In doing so, HCR82 seeks to enhance accountability within the DHS and promote a higher standard of safety for at-risk children in their care. The intended outcome is to prevent further occurrences of fatal injuries or cases of severe harm to children by addressing the shortcomings in the present system.
HCR82 urges the Hawaii Legislature to conduct mandatory inquiries into all fatalities and serious injuries involving children under Child Welfare Services. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, such as nineteen documented fatalities or serious injuries since 1997, alongside over ten million dollars in settlements paid out in related lawsuits. It draws attention to well-known cases of negligence, emphasizing the numerous failures of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in protecting vulnerable children from harm despite prior warnings. These documented events lay bare the challenges and flaws within the current Child Welfare system in Hawaii.
One notable point of contention is the lack of transparency and public disclosure concerning the outcomes of child fatalities and serious injuries in the child welfare system. While other states have implemented measures for public accountability and mandated inquiries, Hawaii's approach has been criticized for lacking similar protocols. This situation fosters a culture of negligence and hampers efforts to learn from past mistakes. HCR82 represents an appeal for reform, suggesting that without prompt and thorough legislative action, the continued silence around these serious issues not only undermines community trust but also places more children at risk.