Hawaii Senate Bill SR63

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/11/25

Caption

Requesting The Executive Office On Aging To Partner With The University Of Hawaii At Manoa Center On Aging To Establish A Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub To Implement Short-term Strategies Outlined In The 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan.

Impact

The resolution highlights the critical role of direct care workers in the long-term care system, who often face challenges such as low wages and limited employment benefits. By establishing the Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub, SR63 aims to proactively tackle these systemic issues through increased training and support for direct care workers. This initiative may enhance the state's overall health care system by improving the quality and availability of long-term care services as demographic trends reveal an increasing need for such support.

Summary

Senate Resolution 63 (SR63) requests the Executive Office on Aging to collaborate with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Aging to establish a Kupuna Workforce Innovation Hub. The hub aims to implement short-term strategies to address the challenges faced by the direct care workforce in Hawaii, as described in the 2025 Strengthening Hawaii's Long-Term Direct Care Workforce Strategic Plan. This plan responds to the growing needs for adequate support for older adults and those with special needs, focusing on the recruitment and retention of direct care workers.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding SR63 may arise from differing opinions on workforce funding and the effectiveness of the proposed strategies. While supporters argue that establishing a dedicated hub will focus resources and improve care for older adults, critics may question the allocation of state funds towards this initiative and whether these efforts will be sufficient to resolve the workforce gaps outlined in the resolution. Furthermore, the resolution's success will depend on stakeholder engagement and the effectiveness of curriculum improvements aimed at enhancing the competencies of current and future direct care workers.