Department of Health

Overview 

The Hawaii Department of Health has received supplemental ARRA funds to bolster existing public health and environmental health programs, and continues to evaluate and apply for ARRA competitive grants to expand programs or initiate new ones. 

As of March 31, 2010, the department has been awarded $61,906,405 in ARRA funds spread over 16 grants.  The vast majority of funds, over 90%, are to be used on environmental programs, specifically for clean water and waste water infrastructure.  Key to the department’s strategy is equitability in the distribution of funds.  As an agency with statewide responsibilities, the department is ensuring that resources are spread fairly across the counties. 

Monies awarded so far have been formula grants or allocations intended to supplement existing programs.  The department continues to evaluate and apply for competitive grants, which by and large fund new programs.  Particularly on those competitive grants, the department is collaborating with other state agencies, the counties, and non-profit community to produce stronger multi-disciplinary proposals.  Examples of this coordination are workforce development grants with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to train a 21st century health care workforce , planning and implementation of health information exchanges and investments in the health information technology infrastructure, and sustainable preventive health activities on the neighbor islands.

The department welcomes the public’s input into the direction of ARRA-related projects, and employs a variety of models to solicit that input including public comment on Intended Use Plans and advisory boards.  All the while maintaining close communication with federal funding partners.

The department takes seriously its responsibility to invest tax-payers money wisely and appropriately.  The department has assembled an internal oversight team composed of senior program, financial, accounting, and procurement specialists that convene at least monthly to review transactions and establish best practices.  ARRA-related transactions are treated with the utmost celerity, in the spirit of ARRA to move resources out into the community and economy rapidly.

Your Hawaii State Department of Health looks forward to leading change and quality brought about as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  
 

Awards

 ARRA Recovery Team