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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie is welcoming the return of Patricia McManaman as director of the Department of Human Services (DHS), effective Monday, following a short leave of absence. “I’m happy to see Pat back in a position to build on the solid foundation she has built in the department,” Abercrombie said. “Mahalo to Deputy […]

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MEDIA RELEASE “The Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to eliminating all fraud, waste and abuse. The Department appreciates the assistance of the Legislature and the State Auditor’s Office to help identify areas to reduce medical assistance program costs and to improve program integrity,” said DHS Director Patricia McManaman. “The Auditor’s Report, however, relied […]

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MEDIA RELEASE In the wake of a severe nationwide shortage of Tubersol and Aplisol, the purified protein derivative solutions (PPD) used in tuberculosis skin test examinations, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing Emergency Rules Relating to Evidence of Health Standards, effective May 20, 2013, for child care facilities licensed or registered by […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Despite an improving economy, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is experiencing increasing enrollment in the General Assistance (GA) program. This is causing the Department to reduce per person benefits in order to keep the program within the budget appropriated by the state Legislature. Effective Feb. 1, 2013, GA payments will be reduced […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Department of Human Services (DHS) has hired Mona Maehara as Social Services Division Administrator, effective Nov. 16, 2012. Maehara is a senior executive with 25 years experience providing strategic and operational leadership for nonprofit, government and business organizations. She most recently served as program coordinator for the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Department of Human Services has announced it will restore Medicaid coverage for outpatient rehabilitation, prosthetics and optometry services to non-disabled adults younger than 65 years of age. In addition, DHS will not impose any limits on inpatient hospital services. Earlier this month, the DHS also announced that it will restore coverage for […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have approved Hawaii’s request to reduce the eligibility income limit for its QUEST-ACE and QUEST-Net programs to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), or $16,678 per year for a single adult. Currently, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) Med-QUEST Division (MQD) administers […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced it will restore contract funding for the Kapiolani Child Protection Center (KCPC) on the Big Island. DHS Director Patricia McManaman says “After listening to community concerns about limited service options and the fact that other Kona-based service providers will be unable to fill the gaps, […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced it will discontinue its work incentive programs for families who have received financial assistance under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Temporary Assistance for Other Needy Families (TAONF) programs. These programs, which began in 2001, were designed to assist low-income working families as […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Department of Human Services (DHS) will reduce its Child Welfare Services (CWS) contracts with community providers and the University of Hawaii by $5.8 million beginning Dec. 1, 2011. Services impacted by the reductions include family strengthening and support services, emergency shelter care, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, recruitment, training, and […]

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MEDIA RELEASE State Department of Human Services Director Patricia McManaman has distributed $9.1 million in new federal funding from the Congressional Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program, supported by Sen. Daniel Akaka, to 15 private hospitals statewide to help defray the cost of providing charity care to uninsured and under-insured patients. “Hawaii’s private hospitals play a […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Patricia McManaman have announced plans to expand access to a new model of health care delivery that will focus on patient care and technology. The new model, referred to as “patient-centered healthcare homes” or “medical homes,” enhance access to physicians and improve coordination […]

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