The Hawai`i Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is hosting a series of web-based public briefings to hear testimony on the Committee’s chosen topic, “Examining Hawai`i’s Child Welfare System and its Impact on Native Hawaiian Children and Families.” The Committee intends to provide the Commission with their findings and recommendations on these topics. The meeting details for the first panel in this series is as follows:
Panel I: Thursday, August 10, 2023, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm HST
Zoom Registration Link: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/ vJIsceisrTkiEtbIYpowM-QJD0xUWO0f3gQ
Audio Only: (English) 1-833-435-1820 (US Toll-free); Meeting ID: 161 614 3288#
Members of the public will be invited to speak during an open comment period towards the last 20 minutes of each panel. Members of the public are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on the issue.
Closed captions will be provided. Individuals requiring additional accommodations should contact atrevino@usccr.gov at least 7 business days prior to the meeting to make the request. The Committee will also accept written comments related to this study. Please send written statements on this topic to Angelica Trevino, at atrevino@usccr.gov by September 10, 2023.
Committee Chair Shaunda Makaimoku said, “The Hawai'i Advisory Committee is investigating the relationship Native Hawaiian families and children have with the State of Hawai'i's Child Welfare System. The Committee looks forward to hearing from various stakeholders about the overrepresentation of Native Hawaiian families and children within the Child Welfare System and about potential solutions to address the overrepresentation. These briefings provide impacted individuals with an important opportunity to have their experiences and stories be heard. Testimony will be used to make recommendations to ensure equitable service to all Hawai'i families.”
atrevino@usccr.gov