Hawaii Senate Bill SR179

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Comprehensive Performance And Management Audit Of The Child Welfare Services Branch Of The Department Of Human Services.

Impact

The main impact of SR179 would be a thorough examination of the CWSB's effectiveness in adhering to its duties, identifying shortcomings in its policies, and evaluating the adequacy of its resources and personnel. The Auditor will be directed to assess critical areas including investigation of abuse allegations, risk assessment for child safety, and overall supervision of child welfare offices in the State. This audit aims to ensure that children in Hawaii are adequately protected from abuse and neglect, improving the overall response of CWSB to such allegations.

Summary

Senate Resolution 179, introduced during the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii in 2022, requests the Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and management audit of the Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB) of the Department of Human Services. The CWSB is tasked with ensuring children's safety and responding to allegations of child abuse and neglect. Recent tragic events have raised public concern regarding the efficacy of CWSB's operations and management, prompting the resolution's request for an audit.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding this resolution stem from long-standing critiques of CWSB's operational effectiveness. A 2017 review highlighted that CWSB had made no notable improvements since 2009 and failed to meet substantial conformity in key outcome categories, including protection from abuse and neglect. Additionally, there are ongoing concerns about the retention of qualified employees and the quality of caseworker visits, which have historically lacked adequate frequency and thoroughness. Addressing these issues through the proposed audit may encounter resistance from those within the system who worry about scrutiny or potential changes to staffing and resource allocation.