STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BENEFIT, EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Sections 91-3 and 92-41, Hawaii Revised Statutes, notice is hereby given that the Department of Human Services will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed new chapter rules for the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division for the purpose of implementing the Preschool Open Doors Program as established by Act 169, Session Laws of Hawaii (SLH) 2013. A brief description of the proposed rules, based substantially on Subchapter 2, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §17-798.2, Child Care Services is listed below:
The proposed chapter §17-799, Preschool Open Doors Program establishes that, “Child care payments under this subchapter shall be for early childhood services to low and moderate income families that contributes to school readiness by providing up to a school year of experience in a preschool program chosen by the child’s caretaker prior to the child entering kindergarten. The intent of the program is to provide child care payments to as many eligible families as possible through the limited funding that is appropriated for the State fiscal year.”
The proposed chapter §17-799 describes the program’s application process, target population, eligibility criteria and determination, program participation and selection criteria, payment rates and method of calculation, program participant’s requirements, required notifications by the Department, and applicants/participants rights to appeal.
A public hearing will be held at the following date, time and place:
Monday, January 13, 2014, 9:00 a.m.; Haseko Center, Suite 606, Conference Room 2, 820 Mililani Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
All interested persons are invited to attend the hearing to state their views relative to the proposed rules either orally or in writing. Should written testimony be presented, five (5) copies shall be made available to the presiding officer at the public hearing or within seven (7) days before the hearing to:
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Residents of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai wishing to present oral testimonies may also contact the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Section Administration office on the respective islands within seven (7) days before the Honolulu hearing date to schedule to attend via teleconference call-in:
East Hawaii Section Administrator
1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 111
Hilo, HI (981-7288);
West Hawaii Section Administrator
75-5722 Hanama Place Rm 1105
Kailua-Kona, HI (327-4765);
Kauai Section Administrator
Dynasty Court
4473 Pahee Street, Suite G
Lihue, HI (241-3663);
Maui Section Administrator
1955 Main Street, Suite #325
Wailuku, HI (243-5875);
Molokai Income Maintenance Unit
Molokai Civic Center
55 Makaena Place, Room 1
Kaunakakai, HI (553-1715)
A copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at NO COST to any interested person requesting a copy by writing to:
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment & Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
or by calling 586-7083. Neighbor island residents may request a copy of the proposed rules at NO COST by contacting the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division office during regular business days and hours.
Proposed rules are available on the internet at http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/proposed-rules/
Special accommodations (i.e., Limited English Proficiency and sign language interpreter, large print, taped materials, or accessible parking) can be made, if requested at least five (5) working days before the scheduled public hearing on Oahu by calling 586-0975. Neighbor island residents needing special accommodations should contact the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Section Administration office on the respective islands with their requests.
PATRICIA McMANAMAN, DIRECTOR
(SA582380 12/11/13)~
