Social services added
to St. Francis’ care

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Social services, as well as medical care, will be available to St. Francis Health Care System patients under a partnership with Catholic Charities.

The organizations are collaborating to provide continued service to patients after they are discharged from the hospital, said Jan Estioko, Catholic Charities spokeswoman.

St. Francis, the second-largest health care system in Hawaii, has major medical facilities in Liliha and Ewa.

Catholic Charities has wide-ranging community services for children, families, immigrants and the elderly.

"Serving the economically and socially disadvantaged has been central to the missions of both organizations," said Jerry Rauckhorst, Catholic Charities diocesan director.

"With changes in health care and social and economic conditions, the challenge to serve the needy is greater for both organizations. The entire community will be better served by our joined efforts."

"We've decided to collaborate with St. Francis and pick up patients 55 or older at the hospital as they are being discharged and take them home," Estioko said. "We will walk them to the door with loving, caring, personal service."

Catholic Charities is an umbrella organization for four agencies, including Catholic Charities Elderly Services, which has vans, she said.

Patients leaving St. Francis also may go to Catholic Charities for services, which include addiction help, family and domestic violence counseling and foster homes for teens, Estioko said.

An education program is planned for women and families with a series of workshops in September at five Oahu parishes. The theme is "Healing Our Lives: Reclaiming our Wisdom."

The sessions will focus on child abuse, domestic violence, addictions and alcohol and drug abuse. They are being planned by a team from Catholic Charities Families Services, Parish Nurses and the Women's Addiction Treatment Center at St. Francis.

Estioko said she's hopes fearful women get to the meetings to learn how to get out of an abusive situation or learn how a couple can get counseling and overcome problems.

The projects will be discussed at Catholic Charities' annual meeting at noon June 5 in the Hale Koa Hotel Banyan Tree Room.

It is open to the public.

The cost of lunch is $18, with validated parking at $2.

Call 537-6321, extension 303, for reservations.