The National Association of Soci

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Hawaii, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 1100 members statewide. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its advocacy. This year NASW will be focusing on the following issues:

The nonprofit sector plays a critical role in our society by offering health and human services to the people in our communities who are in need of assistance and by improving the quality of life for all Hawai'i's citizens. .

The need for assistance is increasing. To name a few, there is an increase in people who are homeless, an increase in people who are addicted to drugs, and an increase in families needing food. Furthermore, we will see an increase in individuals in need of elderly services as the baby boomers begin to age and retire.

In 2005, state tax revenues jumped 16.2 percent in the first quarter of the fiscal year due to increased tourism and construction. The state budget director estimates the surplus for fiscal year 2006 to be approximately $574 million.

The Legislature has an opportunity to take care of the people of our state by giving the nonprofit sector a “bigger piece of the pie”. NASW supports doubling the amount of grants-in-aid ($80 million) the state will be able to assist infants, children, youth, elderly, hungry, poor, homeless, abused, and addicted and improve the quality of life for all the people of Hawaii. Furthermore, when the quality of live improves, the economy improves.

2) Increasing the Standard of Need

SB 475 SD2 HD1 is currently in the Finance Committee. The purpose of this bill is to change the base number (Standard of Need- SON) that is used to calculate the amount of cash assistance (Standard of Assistance- SOA) an individual or family receives on welfare or general assistance.

NASW supports changing the SON to the current FPL.

3) Treatment for Substance abusing pregnant mothers

In October 2004, NASW, Hawaii Chapter joined with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Psychiatric Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in submitting an Amici Curiae Brief in support of Tayshea Aiwohi.

NASW believes that substance abusing pregnant woman need treatment instead of being criminalized.

4) Universal Health Insurance

NASW believes that all individuals have a right to an affordable, accessible, and quality health care continuum.

NASW supports a health care policy that ensures the right to universal access to a continuum of health and mental health under a single payer system.

5) Earned Income Tax Credit

SB 1410 SD1 HD1 and HB 957 HD1 SD1 are currently in Conference Committee. These bills will provide a refundable state earned income tax credit of 20% of the federal EITC.

NASW supports a state EITC to provide tax relief for those do not make enough to be self-sufficient and creates an incentive to stay employed.

6) Reproductive Choice for Women

HB 1241 Relating to Reproductive Freedom and HB 1242 Relating to Section 453-16 HRS (Intentional Termination of Pregnancy) are both carryover bills from the 2005 session that clarify and update Hawaii’s current laws on reproductive choice for women.

NASW believes that reproductive health services are based on the principle of self-determination and that every individual (within the context of her/his own value system) must be free to participate or not participate in abortion, family planning, and other reproductive health services.

NASW supports updating and strengthening Hawaii’s current statute to protect a women’s right to reproductive choice.