National research shows that a large percentage of Hawaii residents who are eligible for SNAP are not receiving benefits. More aggressive outreach could be worth $50 million to $150 million annual spending in the state, if all those eligible folks signed up, according to the research. The task rightly lies mainly with the Department of Human Services, which administers SNAP at the state level. DHS supports the intent of HB 1347, but understandably prefers that lawmakers support its budget request as the avenue to boost SNAP, including through staffing and technological improvements.
Archives by Month:
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- June 2023
- April 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- October 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- January 2020
- May 2019
- January 2019
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- November 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
Department of Human Services Director Rachael Wong said in written testimony last week her department supports the "intent" of House Bill 1347 to expand SNAP outreach, but asked lawmakers instead to support a DHS request for "staffing and modernization" efforts to continue to make other improvements in the SNAP program.
"Our top priority is moving forward with our plan to streamline what we're doing with IT, building on the technology that we've already put in place with our platforms, investing in our people here, moving quickly with what we're doing with Med-QUEST and our social services division, BESSD (Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division) and our public assistance."
To begin with, DHS is paying for the audit, so there's agency buy-in. Second, the director acknowledged the public-perception problem that hangs over KOLEA — but rather than dismiss the importance of this factor, she said, "It made me recognize there was a need for facts. We need a third party to come in to be able to assess the process, to assess our product and to assess where we are."
"I recognize there's a lot of public confusion about what Kolea is and what the (Hawaii Health Connector) is," said Wong, adding that the audit will be paid for by DHS. "It made me recognize there was a need for facts. There's all this, for lack of a better word, chatter that's out there. We need a third party to come in to be able to assess the process, to assess our product and to assess where we are."
"In alignment with the (Gov. David Ige) administration, but also just personally with who I am, this is about pulling back the curtain on government," Wong said earlier this month at her first meeting with the Star-Advertiser editorial board. "And it's not just to say these are how our policies and decisions are made, but it's about engaging with stakeholders, whether that's legislators or the media or the people we serve. It's engaging those folks so that it's an ongoing conversation, so by the time the decisions get made, it's not a surprise."
At DHS, there are a million dots to connect. “DHS overall is certainly comprehensive,” says Wong. “It covers almost all of human experience, especially that of our most vulnerable neighbors.” Her list includes foster children, the homeless, immigrants, the disabled, seniors and the poor, and the services include welfare, food benefits, Medicaid, public housing, youth corrections, and the commissions on the Status of Women and on Fatherhood. Wong feels she’s in the right job at the right time. “By nature I’m a connector. I feel affirmed by interconnectivity. I’m alive because of someone’s gift. … I love it when people bring the resources they bring.”
Cathy Betts, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women (HSCSW) was interviewed on Hawaii Public Radio, The Conversation. The March 10, 2015 program segment entitled, The Best and Worst Cities for Women in 2015, runs 10 minutes 11 seconds. To see The Wallet Hub survey of the best and worst ...
Read More In the News: Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made funds available that enable the State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers with free electronic benefit transfer (EBT) equipment to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Administered through the Farmer’s Market Coalition (FMC), the Free SNAP EBT Equipment Program expands access to fresh produce for SNAP beneficiaries and expands commerce options for farmers and farmers markets.
Honolulu, HI – Members of the State Senate Committee on Human Services and Housing today voted to confirm gubernatorial nominee Rachael Wong, DrPH as the director of the Department of Human Services (DHS). “Dr. Wong’s strong experience and compassion to improve community health makes her the perfect candidate for this critically important position,” said Senator ...
Read More Senate Committee Confirms DHS Director