Once a patient's level of care has been lowered to less than acute, the patient will be discharged within three days of the notification. If there is no available placement alternative, the patient will be discharged home. This is necessary to preserve the acute care services for patients needing them. The department provides training and supervision for the University of Hawaii School of Social Work Master's in Social Work Program. Second year practicum students are offered twenty four hours a week of training and supervision under the direction of social work practicum instructor, and remain on campus for one year.
University students apply to the department each spring.
Following interviews with student instructors and coordination with the university, an average of ten students are matched with their preference and available instructors.