Why is Maui Child Welfare Services in crisis?
The mission of Maui CWS, a branch of the Hawai’i Department of Human Services, is to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children. They prioritize keeping keiki in their own homes and provide out-of-home placements, adoptions, and legal guardianships when necessary.
Kelli Maltezo, Maui CWS Section Administrator, and Leslie Armstrong, Maui CWS supervisor, presented on “Why is Maui CWS in Crisis?” to the Hoʻoikaika Partners.
They reviewed CWS mission, priorities, and differential response, along with strategies and policy changes to keep children safely in their homes. However, sometimes child removal is necessary. The current situation has made a tough job even more difficult.
WHY IS CWS IN CRISIS?
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Staff vacancies: 10 of 12 social worker positions are vacant. Recruitment and hiring is done at the state level; the hiring process is very lengthy. There is only one case manager and one investigator for Maui.
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Increased intakes are happening with more complex situations, including intense mental health issues.
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Lack of Resource Caregivers (RCGs)/foster parents, especially for teens, makes it difficult. Out of 71 active general licensed resource home, only four are currently able to take teens.
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Youth sleeping in the CWS office: There are no therapeutic foster homes on Maui; residential placements are on Oʻahu.
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Short-term crisis placements are needed (daytime, overnight, up to one week) and would allow CWS time to find more suitable, longer-term placements and avoid child(ren) and staff sleeping in the office.
NEXT STEPS
1. For those interested in learning more or sharing ideas about Resource Caregivers recruitment, contact:
- Brad McDaniel: brad@hflhi.org | 808-694-0000
- Nestor Fontanilla: keiki@royalfamilykidsmaui.org | 808-385-6789
2. Share this link of the CWS Crisis Placement Interest Form with anyone who might be willing to offer short-term respite, especially for teens.
3. Contact Maui CWS to offer help:
- Kelli Maltezo: kmaltezo@dhs.Hawaii.gov | 808-280-5495
- Leslie Armstrong:larmstrong@dhs.Hawaii.gov | 808-280-1209
