§346-26  Prevention and treatment of conditions giving rise to need.  The department of human services may carry on or administer or cooperate with other public or private agencies in work or activities for the purpose of preventing or treating conditions giving rise to the need for public assistance in any case in which such work or activities may prevent, shorten, or eliminate the need of public assistance.  Such work or activities, if any, shall be taken into consideration in deciding upon or deferring action upon any application for public assistance. [L 1941, c 296, pt of §1; RL 1945, §4831; RL 1955, §108-12; HRS §346-26; am L 1970, c 105, §5; am L 1987, c 339, §4]