THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	81
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A FINANCIAL AND PROGRAM AUDIT OF HAWAII'S INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER.

     WHEREAS, the Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, provides enabling legislation for the establishment of a network of independent living centers for persons with disabilities in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, independent living centers are consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential, private nonprofit agencies that aim to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and promote their integration into the mainstream of American society; and

     WHEREAS, the core required minimum services of an independent living center are information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and advocacy; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living receives significant federal Rehabilitation Act funds and state general funds; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living has had a high staff turnover and an exodus of board members within the past four years resulting in a lack of continuity of services; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is concerned as to whether Hawaii Centers for Independent Living is meeting its core function; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is concerned as to whether independent living services are available to the full spectrum of persons with disabilities; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a financial and program audit of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living in the State of Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit determine the extent to which:

     (1)  The Hawaii Centers for Independent Living is fulfilling the mission of providing core services;

     (2)  The board of directors is meeting its oversight and fiduciary responsibilities; and

     (3)  State or federal agencies providing funding are monitoring program outcomes, financial management practices, and consumer satisfaction; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President and Executive Director of the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, the Director of Human Services, the Administrator of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services to the Blind Division, and the Council President and Executive Director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Hawaii Centers for Independent Living; Audit