Providing Human Services with Humanity

Posted on Sep 5, 2023 in Main

In an inspiring display of community solidarity, Department of Human Services (DHS) Director Cathy Betts accompanied by Deputy Directors Joseph Campos and Trista Speer, led efforts on Maui to set up housing options for displaced individuals and families from keiki to kūpuna.

Maui staff rallied together on August 9, 2023, to volunteer and assist with the housing effort. Demonstrating true team­work, O‘ahu staff flew over on the weekends to alleviate the load on the Maui staff. DHS played a key role in coordinating efforts with other agencies to successfully place all sheltered individuals and families in hotels or Airbnb accommodations.

Close to 1,000 residents were placed in less than a week into various hotels that included the Outrigger, Royal Lāhainā, the Hyatt, Andaz, Fairmont, Westin, Maui Seaside, and Honua Kai. DHS leadership also collaborated with Airbnb, ensuring that those affected could find some comfort in avail­­able and donated Airbnbs while the process of search and recovery continued by responding emergency agencies.

DHS also worked with the Med-QUEST Division to provide conti­nuous coverage for Medicaid recipients in Maui County. A pause on eligibility reviews and terminations has brought some relief to those already covered by Med-QUEST.

In addition, for impacted SNAP households, assistance was extend­ed in various forms. Such affected households have until September 15, 2023, to request replacement benefits reflecting their loss. Details of the replacement benefit can be found at https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SNAP-Replacement-Benefits-08.2023.pdf.

Furthermore, Med-QUEST staff and the Benefit, Employment, Sup­­­port Services Division has been assisting the community with information about QUEST and Medicaid coverage, as well as SNAP and other financial assistance programs, as needed.

DHS has been on the ground working to help affected individuals in various ways including coordinating the donation of 16 portable showers to be used across Maui where the need is greatest. DHS’s Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program and Low-Income Water Assistance Program can also assist with generators, energy assistance, and water provision.

The department implemented a data-sharing agreement with the American Red Cross to assist in identifying individuals and families for case management, language assistance, food assistance, FEMA assistance, and any and all resources needed to help folks at this time. Details at https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/bessd/.

“Our hearts are with Maui, please know we are holding the Maui community in our hearts and minds.  We will continue to assist in whatever way we can,” said Director Betts.