Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Hawai'i Free Press

Current Articles | Archives

Sunday, February 9, 2014
UPDATE: Did McManaman Quit Abercrombie Administration or Not?
By News Release @ 11:50 PM :: 7455 Views :: Hawaii State Government

Simple question which cannot be clearly answered: Who is now the Director of the Hawaii Department of Human Services?

Fujioka: "She is Still Director"

Star-Adv Feb 8, 2014: In a surprise to even her peers, Patricia McManaman, head of the state Department of Human Services, is stepping down due to personal reasons, the state announced Friday.

Justin Fujioka, press secretary for Gov. Neil Abercrombie, said McManaman is not resigning, though he didn't know when she will return to the position....

"She is stepping down until further notice because she has to take care of personal matters," Fujioka said. "There is nothing forced. She is still director."

read ... Until Further Notice

  *   *   *   *   *

UPDATE Feb 9: The automated response on McManaman's email reads:

I will be out of the office starting 02/07/2014 and will not return until 04/30/2014.

Should you require assistance, please contact Acting Director Barbara Yamashita at (email) or her secretary at (email). Thank you.

  *   *   *   *   *

WITH IMPROVED AND ADDITIONAL SERVICES IN PLACE, PATRICIA MCMANAMAN STEPPING DOWN AS DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

News release from Office of the Governor Feb 7, 2014

HONOLULU – Patricia McManaman, director of the Department of Human Services, announced today she will be stepping down from her position due to personal reasons. McManaman has served under the Abercrombie Administration since its inception in December 2010. She says it has been an “incredible honor” to serve the people of Hawaii.

“The Department of Human Services exists to improve the lives of the most vulnerable and needy in our communities,” stated McManaman. “I have worked alongside dedicated people in the department who truly believe in the work of helping others. I am extremely humbled and grateful to have served with them and know there will be a seamless transition to continue the work started under this Administration.”

Gov. Neil Abercrombie expressed his gratitude for McManaman’s service stating: “Pat has been a leader in our community for decades and has directly and indirectly touched many lives. Her persistence in doing what’s just, and her experience and knowledge has helped to right many a ship.”

McManaman led the department during a difficult time due to the economic recession, when programs and funding were scaled down. Her leadership and innovation helped drive through these difficult times, and her passion and commitment moved the department forward as it improved services and expanded programs.

The Governor is placing Deputy Director Barbara Yamashita as acting Director. “Pat will be missed as our Director, but she has laid solid foundation for moving forward,” said Yamashita.

A few highlights of McManaman’s directorship include:

Developing and implementing KOLEA, MedQUEST’s new online eligibility system

Eliminating barriers to public benefits and increasing timeliness rates for access to food stamps from 66 percent statewide to 97 percent

Reducing the mandatory waiting period for public benefits from 21 days to seven days

Eliminating the asset test for financial assistance for needy families, establishing the voluntary care to 21 program for foster youth aging out of foster care

Unifying and coordinating care for Medicaid clients with serious mental illness under the umbrella of MedQUEST and providing expanded services for these clients, including supportive housing together with enhanced federal funding to support day programming

Championing legislation to protect vulnerable seniors and disabled adults from financial exploitation

Prior to her directorship position, McManaman practiced law in Hawaii for more than 30 years, holding a variety of public interest legal positions. She also served as a per diem judge in the District Court and Family Court of the First Circuit, State of Hawaii for 17 years.

McManaman has received a variety of awards and recognition for her leadership in social and public health issues.

###

Links

TEXT "follow HawaiiFreePress" to 40404

Register to Vote

2aHawaii

Aloha Pregnancy Care Center

AntiPlanner

Antonio Gramsci Reading List

A Place for Women in Waipio

Ballotpedia Hawaii

Broken Trust

Build More Hawaiian Homes Working Group

Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii

Cliff Slater's Second Opinion

DVids Hawaii

FIRE

Fix Oahu!

Frontline: The Fixers

Genetic Literacy Project

Grassroot Institute

Habele.org

Hawaii Aquarium Fish Report

Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society

Hawaii Catholic TV

Hawaii Christian Coalition

Hawaii Cigar Association

Hawaii ConCon Info

Hawaii Debt Clock

Hawaii Defense Foundation

Hawaii Family Forum

Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United

Hawaii Farmer's Daughter

Hawaii Federation of Republican Women

Hawaii History Blog

Hawaii Jihadi Trial

Hawaii Legal News

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance

Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Military History

Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care

Hawaii Public Charter School Network

Hawaii Rifle Association

Hawaii Shippers Council

Hawaii Together

HiFiCo

Hiram Fong Papers

Homeschool Legal Defense Hawaii

Honolulu Navy League

Honolulu Traffic

House Minority Blog

Imua TMT

Inouye-Kwock, NYT 1992

Inside the Nature Conservancy

Inverse Condemnation

July 4 in Hawaii

Land and Power in Hawaii

Lessons in Firearm Education

Lingle Years

Managed Care Matters -- Hawaii

MentalIllnessPolicy.org

Missile Defense Advocacy

MIS Veterans Hawaii

NAMI Hawaii

Natatorium.org

National Parents Org Hawaii

NFIB Hawaii News

NRA-ILA Hawaii

Obookiah

OHA Lies

Opt Out Today

Patients Rights Council Hawaii

Practical Policy Institute of Hawaii

Pritchett Cartoons

Pro-GMO Hawaii

RailRipoff.com

Rental by Owner Awareness Assn

Research Institute for Hawaii USA

Rick Hamada Show

RJ Rummel

School Choice in Hawaii

SenatorFong.com

Talking Tax

Tax Foundation of Hawaii

The Real Hanabusa

Time Out Honolulu

Trustee Akina KWO Columns

Waagey.org

West Maui Taxpayers Association

What Natalie Thinks

Whole Life Hawaii