Healthy Start funding cut raises child-safety fears

Hawaii’s Healthy Start began in 1985 to prevent child abuse. The program, which has been a model for others across the country, contracts with nonprofits for services to at-risk families. In 2008-2009, the Health Department budget was allocated about $10 million for the program, but funds were cut in the department’s 2009-2010 budget.

DOH wanted to use $7 million in tobacco settlement funds to continue the statewide program but was unable to do so, said Janice Okubo, DOH spokesperson.  $1.3 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds will keep two programs going, in Leeward Oahu and East Hawaii, but child protection advocates fear funding cuts will jeopardize the significant strides they have made in reducing child abuse and foster care rates elsewhere.

They cite what happened in 1995, when big budget cuts were made during an economic slump and serious child-abuse hospital cases soared from an average of 30 a year to 175.