Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Director, Patricia McManaman announced that Governor Abercrombie approved and signed temporary emergency rules that maintain the status quo for receipt of state-funded medical assistance benefits by noncitizens, including citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (COFA residents). The temporary emergency rules have been filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and shall remain in effect for up to 120 days. The rules can be reviewed in full on the DHS website at https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/.

Attorney General David M. Louie and Director of Human Services Patricia McManaman jointly announced today that a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court validates the state’s authority to determine the level of health care coverage provided to noncitizens who are ineligible for federal Medicaid. The high court’s decision also confirms that the state did not discriminate when it exercised that authority in 2010.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Vocational Rehabilitation Division (DVR) is holding its 22nd Annual White Cane Safety Awareness Day Walk to demonstrate the importance of the white cane to blind and visually impaired communities. The white cane empowers blind and visually impaired individuals with independence, freedom and confidence.

The State of Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) has been awarded a federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) bonus of $915,580 for the most improved Program Access Index (PAI) for fiscal year 2013. This is the second consecutive year, and third time overall, that Hawaii has been recognized for its program improvements.

Throughout the month of October, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will be accepting applications for its second 2014-2015 Preschool Open Doors (POD) program. Applications received between Oct.1 and Oct. 31, 2014 will be considered for POD participation from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2015.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) has successfully closed a February 2011 class action lawsuit for failure to issue Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits within timeframes outlined by federal law. To address the application backlog, BESSD developed and implemented the Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) project, which converted the former Case Management system to a Process Management system.

Juvenile Justice in Hawaii To prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism for youth-at-risk, the Hawaii State Legislature established the Office of Youth Services (OYS) in 1989 to provide and coordinate a continuum of services and programs in every county. The OYS is responsible for the administration of the federal juvenile justice and delinquency ...
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The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness (HICH) has organized a week-long set of trainings titled “Housing First System and Practice Implementation,” being held from Sept. 8 to 12, 2014, in Honolulu and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Ho’opono Services for the Blind is a branch of the Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) that provides comprehensive and specialized services that meet the varied needs of consumers across the State who are blind, both deaf and blind, or visually impaired.  Services are provided free of charge regardless of race, ...
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The DHS Social Services Division (SSD) provides protection from abuse and neglect for children and dependent adults. The Adult Protective and Community Services Branch (APCSB) provides protective services for vulnerable adults and home and community-based services to prevent premature institutionalization of clients.  For more information about Adult Community Services click here. Foster Grandparent Program is ...
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