THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	157
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE adult mental health division of the DEPARTMENT OF health.

     WHEREAS, the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health seeks to improve the mental health of Hawaii's people by reducing the prevalence of emotional disorders and mental illness; and

     WHEREAS, services include mental health education, treatment, and rehabilitation through community-based mental health centers; and

     WHEREAS, there are nine community health centers in Hawaii that provide mental health services; and

     WHEREAS, of the State's nine community health centers, Hale Na‘au Pono is the only private nongovernmental organization, the other eight operate under the Department of Health; and

     WHEREAS, chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes procedures for the purchases of health and human services through contracts made by state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, contracts made by state agencies should be issued in an equitable manner and should follow established rules and procedures; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a financial and management audit of the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to include in the financial and management audit:

     (1)  An assessment of all contracts issued to all of the community health centers, including Hale Na‘au Pono;

     (2)  A cost analysis of operations comparing the state-run centers and Hale Na‘au Pono;

     (3)  A comparison of salaries and benefits of comparable positions;

     (4)  The respective credentialing and certification or licensing of the professional staff employed; and

     (5)  Any other issues the Auditor deems relevant; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Adult Mental Health Division, the Department of Health, the community health centers operated by the Department of Health, Hale Na‘au Pono, their staffs, and other relevant persons or agencies are requested to cooperate with and assist the Auditor, and to provide information requested by the Auditor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit the findings and recommendations of the financial and management audit, and report any proposed legislation to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, the Governor, the Director of Health, and the President and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of Hale Na‘au Pono.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Adult Mental Health Services; Department of Health; Audit