Hawaii-2024-HB850-Amended

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is important to continue to support the incorporation of trauma-informed education in the State's public education system. Trauma-informed education involves mental health education for students, teachers, staff, parents, and community members; adds a flexible, responsive, and measured strategy for addressing trauma; and is an important component to the department of education's multi-tier system of supports.

In 2021, the legislature established a trauma-informed education program in the windward district, which built upon the work of Compassionate Ko‘olaupoko. Compassionate Ko‘olaupoko has brought together schools, community groups, businesses, and community members to envision what a trauma-informed community would look like. The legislature also appropriated funds for two positions to expand trauma-informed education and care in the Ko‘olaupoko region. Over the past year, there have been numerous students, faculty, and community members who have been positively impacted by this trauma-informed education program. Through the trauma-informed education program, educators and other school faculty have received training on trauma awareness and have learned skills to recognize behavior that results from exposure to trauma. Consequently, students and families have been able to engage in culturally informed, place-based restorative practices.

The purpose of this Act is to formally establish the trauma-informed education pilot program in the Castle-Kahuku and Kailua-Kalaheo complex areas and appropriate funds for positions for the program.

SECTION 2. There is established within the department of education a trauma-informed education pilot program at the Castle-Kahuku and Kailua-Kalaheo complex areas, which shall include and be a continuation of the existing trauma-informed education pilot program in the department of education for those complex areas.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent complex area compassionate Ko‘olaupoko trauma-informed resource teacher position; provided that the position shall:

(1) Design and deliver high quality professional learning opportunities and technical assistance, including culturally-relevant, best practices in trauma-responsive practices to build capacity and sustainability;

(2) Collaborate with district and school-level staff and partnering organizations to access and coordinate appropriate resources;

(3) Support meetings with the district education specialist to advance projects and programs; provide technical assistance on designated priorities; and collaborate with internal staff and external groups, state and federal agencies, and business or professional associations;

(4) Assist the district education specialist with coordination and collection of programmatic information for testimony, reports, and presentations to various audiences, including but not limited to the legislature and board of education;

(5) Adhere to all procurement rules, regulations, and contractual requirements of the department of education and state and federal entities;

(6) Assist the district education specialist in hosting advisory council meetings as needed in order to provide culturally attuned, trauma-responsive information that is helpful to the community; and

(7) Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent district educational specialist II position, to be located within the office of the Castle-Kahuku complex area superintendent; provided that the position shall:

(1) Design and deliver high quality professional learning opportunities and technical assistance, including culturally-relevant, evidence-based best practices in trauma-informed practices to build capacity and sustainability;

(2) Collaborate with district and school-level staff and partnering organizations to access and coordinate appropriate resources;

(3) Provide leadership and administrative oversight for the compassionate Ko‘olaupoko coalition, including the development and delivery of activities that ensure that the goals and objectives of the designated funds are achieved and engaging stakeholders;

(4) Support meetings to advance projects and programs; provide technical assistance on designated priorities; and collaborate with internal staff and external groups, state and federal agencies, and business or professional associations;

(5) Execute fiscal, personnel, and contract transactions in a timely manner; oversee project budgets and ensures full, proper, and compliant utilization of resources; and gather and analyzes all interim, annual progress, and expenditure reports to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, policies, procedures, and grant terms and conditions;

(6) Coordinate the collection of and provides administrative, fiscal, and programmatic information for testimony, reports, and presentations to various audiences, including but not limited to the legislature and board of education;

(7) Adhere to all procurement rules, regulations, and contractual requirements of the department of education and state and federal entities;

(8) Assist in the hosting of advisory council meetings as needed in order to provide culturally attuned, trauma-responsive information that is helpful to the community; and

(9) Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	850
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII