Social Services Budget Crisis

The 2011 Legislative session ended with a balanced budget, but is the safety net intact for those who depend on the state's social services agencies and the non-profit service sector? Advocates for programs that include assistance to needy families, mental health support, the elderly and the prevention of domestic violence contend that the severe budget cuts are shortsighted without enough thought given to the long-term consequences.

Joining host Dan Boylan will be a group of community advocates who will discuss and rate this year's legislative decisions and the impact on the well-being of our community. The guests are: Jan Dill, CEO of Partners in Development; David Derauf, MD, MPH, Executive Director of Kokua Kalihi Valley; Jerry Rauckhorst, CEO of Catholic Charities; and Alex Santiago, Executive Director of PHOCUSED (Protecting Hawaii's Ohana, Children, UnderServed, Elderly and Disabled).

This conversation was recorded on June 2, 2011 in the PBS Hawaii studio. Insights on PBS Hawaii is presented on Thursdays at 7:30.