Department of Human Services

With a renewed commitment to transparency and be sure that media are held accountable for their publications, the Department of Human Services posts its responses to media inquiries.  Entries include unedited email conversations with reporters, related emails between staff, and resource materials provided to reporters.  This is a way to tell the whole DHS story and the truth.  If you have questions or comments, please send them to [email protected].

Care home bill offers hope for couple
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015
https://www.staradvertiser.com/newspremium/20150214_Care_home_bill_offers_hope_for_couple.html?id=291946821

https://www.kitv.com/news/Hawaii-s-Medicaid-rules-could-separate-WWII-veteran-wife/31330448

A slight correction and update to these article.

The Department of Human Services no longer has oversight of  Adult Residential Care Homes & Foster Homes.  Effective July 1, 2014, the Department of Health (DOH) Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA) took over regulatory functions of community care foster family homes (CCFFH), case management agencies (CMAs) and Adult Day Care facilities from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Adult Protective and Community Services Branch (APCSB).

The APCSB continues to provide protective services for vulnerable adults and home and community-based services to prevent premature institutionalization of clients and to provide investigative and emergency services for abused, neglected or financially exploited vulnerable adults.

During the period in which the APCSB had jurisdiction over CCFFHs, all regulatory certification and re-certification reviews were conducted by Community Ties of America (CTA) in conformance with Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 17-1454. In addition to certification, CTA also licensed CMAs.  CMAs directly monitor client care within a CCFFH.

In addition to certification and licensing responsibilities, CTA also responds to all complaints concerning CCFFHs, including client care or failure to abide by certification requirements. CTA remains the primary contact to obtain information and to register complaints.  OHCA is the contact for all other matters.

Hawaii Department of Health, Office of Health Care Assurance
601 Kamokila Boulevard, Room 337,
Kapolei, HI 96707
(808) 692-7400.