SB6,HD1,CD1 - UH Center on Aging.doc

THE SENATE

6

HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

C.D.1

S.B. NO.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO HIRE PERMANENT STAFF FOR THE

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CENTER ON AGING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE SILVER LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Silver Legislature finds that the UH Center

1

on Aging (COA) is an important resource to our community: its

2

research is widely respected and applied in aging programs

3

throughout the state; it has trained professionals to provide

4

critical leadership roles in aging policy and practice; and it

5

has served as a focal point for community groups to turn to when

6

questions arise as to best practices, research information,

7

program evaluation, curriculum development, and strategic

8

planning.

9

While the COA has played a significant role in preparing

10

much needed professionals in the field of aging, Hawaii

11

continues to face great challenges on how to meet the serious

12

and unremitting needs of our current older adult population.

13

There are serious demands for: a well trained workforce and

14

leaders in gerontology in the near future, well-educated

15

citizens who understand the implications of a growing elderly

16

population, and leaders who can develop programs and policies

17

SB6,HD1,CD1 - UH Center on Aging.doc

that benefit not only those who are aged, but those who will

1

age. The COA plays an important role in meeting a significant

2

part of this workforce development need.

3

In mid-2006, the COA will be transferring from the Office

4

of Public Health Studies to the School of Social Work (SSW)

5

without resources to function properly and thrive; the only

6

permanently funded position that transfers to the SSW is that of

7

the secretary’s. The Silver Legislature believes that a

8

commitment to provide the COA with key, permanent positions will

9

be a relatively small, but important, investment that will bring

10

in significant returns for the University of Hawaii and the

11

State.

12

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds

13

to the University of Hawaii to hire permanent staff for the COA.

14

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the General

15

Revenues $250,000 to the University of Hawaii to hire permanent

16

staff for the Center on Aging and for other related costs to

17

transfer the Center on Aging to the School of Social Work.

18

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

19