02/26/2015 01:00 PM House MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB61 | |
| Presentation: Department of Health and Social Services; Alaska Va Healthcare System | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS
February 26, 2015
1:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Chair
Representative Jim Colver
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Max Gruenberg
Representative Chris Tuck
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Shelley Hughes
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 61
"An Act relating to special motor vehicle registration plates
for recipients of the Bronze Star, Silver Star, or other
meritorious service awards; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED CSHB 61(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PRESENTATION: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES; ALASKA
VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 61
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY MERITORIOUS AWARD LICENSE PLATES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GARA, GRUENBERG, VAZQUEZ, LYNN,
LEDOUX
01/21/15 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/16/15
01/21/15 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/21/15 (H) MLV, STA, FIN
02/10/15 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
02/10/15 (H) Heard & Held
02/10/15 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/26/15 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
AMY ERICKSON, Director
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Administration
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
61.
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Speaking as the sponsor of HB 61, thanked
the committee for its action.
ANNE HANLEY, Executive Producer
Winter Bear Project
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced a video and answered questions
related to the presentation by the Department of Health and
Social Services.
L. DIANE CASTO, Manager
Prevention & Early Intervention
Division of Behavioral Health
Department of Health and Social Services
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled
"Alaska Suicide Prevention."
SUSANNA MARCHUK, Director
The Alaska Careline
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the presentation by the
Department of Health and Social Services and answered questions.
SAMUEL HUDSON, Public Affairs Director
Alaska VA Healthcare System
Veterans Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled
"Alaska VA HealthCare System Brief for Alaska State Legislature
House Military & Veterans' Affairs," dated 2/26/15.
COURTNEY DREHER
Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Alaska VA Healthcare System
Veterans Health Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Participated in the presentation by the
Alaska VA HealthCare System.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:03:44 PM
CHAIR BOB HERRON called the House Special Committee on Military
and Veterans' Affairs meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.
Representatives Lynn, LeDoux, Tuck, and Herron were present at
the call to order. Representatives Gruenberg and Colver arrived
as the meeting was in progress.
HB 61-MILITARY MERITORIOUS AWARD LICENSE PLATES
1:04:15 PM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to special motor vehicle
registration plates for recipients of the Bronze Star, Silver
Star, or other meritorious service awards; and providing for an
effective date."
1:04:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 61, labeled 29-LS0287\N, Gardner/Martin,
2/18/15, for purposes of discussion.
[There being no objection, Version N was before the committee.]
1:04:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to adopt Amendment 1, which read:
At page 2, line 5 and page 2, line 8, replace
"bravery" with "valor."
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
1:05:41 PM
CHAIR HERRON opened public testimony on HB 61. After
ascertaining that no one wished to testify, public testimony was
closed.
CHAIR HERRON expressed his understanding that a zero fiscal note
was forthcoming.
1:06:46 PM
AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
Department of Administration (DOA), informed the committee that
DMV is working with the Department of Military & Veterans'
Affairs (DMVA) to allow DMVA to accept donations and "help us to
receive the funds," which will enable DMV to issue a zero fiscal
note for HB 61.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN appreciated Chair Herron's contribution to
the bill.
CHAIR HERRON explained that individuals and patriotic
organizations can donate money through DMVA so that license
plates can be designed as needed, without using general funds.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated his support for the bill.
1:08:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to report CSHB 61, Version 29-
LS0287\N, Gardner/Martin, 2/18/15, as amended, out of committee
with individual recommendations and a forthcoming zero fiscal
note. There being no objection, CSHB 61(MLV) was reported from
the House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs.
REPRESENTATIVE LES GARA, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB
61, thanked the committee and cosponsors.
1:09:08 PM
The committee took an at ease from 1:09 p.m. to 1:11 p.m.
^PRESENTATION: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES; ALASKA
VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
PRESENTATION: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES; ALASKA
VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
1:11:20 PM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the next order of business would be
a presentation on the epidemic of suicide by veterans. At this
time, 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S. The
presentation includes two videos and testimony from the
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Alaska
VA Healthcare System. He said one of the videos is a preview of
a documentary entitled Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 that won
an Oscar for best short-subject documentary. Chair Herron said
he intends for the committee to keep a focus on veteran suicide.
1:13:39 PM
ANNE HANLEY, Executive Producer, Winter Bear Project, and
playwright of The Winter Bear, said the play tells the story of
an Alaska Native teenager who is contemplating suicide when a
tribal court sentences him to cut wood for an Athabascan elder.
The elder turns the young man away from suicide using
traditional culture. The play, along with behavioral health
support, is performed at schools in communities all over Alaska.
While in the communities, the Winter Bear project holds
performing arts workshops in the schools, and continuing support
is provided to the community if requested. Communities must
invite, house, and host the play. Ms. Hanley said posttraumatic
stress disorder factors (PTSD) are not limited to combat
situations, but can occur in homes all over Alaska. Veteran's
stories have similarities to the story portrayed in the play.
Permission to tell stories is the key to changing the climate of
fear and hopelessness that brings suicide. Ms. Hanley provided
a video of a scene from the play.
1:16:33 PM
A video was shown from 1:16 p.m. to 1:22 p.m.
1:22:29 PM
CHAIR HERRON asked how many communities have seen the play.
MS. HANLEY answered the project has traveled to 24 locations,
and will be in Bethel and villages nearby in April. In further
response to Chair Herron, she said the reaction to the play has
been enthusiastic; in fact, viewers begin to tell their own
stories. When appropriate, there is a discussion after the
show, and she has heard positive comments.
1:25:33 PM
A short video was shown of the documentary entitled Crisis
Hotline: Veterans Press 1.
1:26:23 PM
L. DIANE CASTO, Manager, Prevention & Early Intervention,
Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), DHSS, informed the
committee she has worked in the field of social service
prevention since 1978, and she has seen tremendous change. She
thanked the veterans on the committee for their service and
opined that veteran suicide is an issue of importance to
everyone. Her presentation discussed DBH programs on the
prevention of suicide in general; however, all programs can and
are used by military and veterans' organizations. Ms. Casto
noted that DBH has a suicide prevention specialist. She
recalled the 2015 Oscars, and pointed out that Oscar winner
Graham Moore is a suicide survivor, and she quoted from his
acceptance speech. It is known that suicide is an epidemic in
the military, and there is a very high level in Alaska when
compared to other states. The suicide rate in Alaska is 21 to
23 per 100,000 in population, and there are many more attempts.
1:31:47 PM
MS. CASTO provided a PowerPoint presentation entitled "Alaska
Suicide Prevention." She informed the committee that DBH takes
the lead on many projects, working closely with other community
partners such as the Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council, which has published the Alaska Statewide Suicide
Prevention Plan 2012-2017 on its web site, along with the 2014
Annual Implementation Report. Ms. Casto stated the plan ensures
that DBH and its partners are using their funds effectively and
efficiently (slides 2 and 3). Funding for programs in Alaska
come from the state and federal substance use prevention block
grant funding, federal grant funding and Garrett Lee Smith (GLS)
youth suicide prevention grants from the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services. Garrett Lee Smith grants, which
are directed specifically at youth, have been funded to [four]
communities within the state (slide 4). Examples of prevention
strategies funded by GLS grants include: coalitions and
partnerships; direct services and traditional healing practices;
outreach and awareness; gatekeeper training for first responders
who may not be professionals. Ms. Casto pointed out that any
prevention strategy requires multiple partners and strategies
(slide 5). It is also known that change happens at the
community level; for example, a community may not be ready or
willing to discuss suicide and might "close down" after an
event, preventing an opportunity to take action. For this
reason, improving the readiness of communities is important and
the Winter Bear Project helps this situation by opening the
conversation. She listed some of the division's key partners:
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council; Department of Education
and Early Development (EED); Division of Juvenile Justice, DHSS;
Alaska Rotary/GCI; Alaska Forget Me Not coalition for service
members, veterans and families; Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains
Ministries; Alaska Native Health Consortium (slide 6). There
are 20 community grant programs working on substance abuse
prevention, suicide prevention, and/or mental health wellness
(slide 7). A successful outcome begins with a community
assessment to determine the factors contributing to suicide, and
to select the right strategies for each community's cultural and
demographic needs.
1:38:52 PM
CHAIR HERRON asked for the division's expectation of future
grant funding.
MS. CASTO responded that DBH has informed its grantees of tough
fiscal times. Her experience has shown that providing
prevention is cheaper and can reach more beneficiaries. Many
grants are small, and prevention programs have been calculated
to cost about $9 per contact. Also, community coalitions can
pool their resources for better efficiency; in fact, all of the
grantees work as coalitions, breaking down barriers between
agencies, sharing dollars, and leveraging state money with other
financing. In further response to Chair Herron, she expressed
her hope that grants will not be reduced in the next year;
however, DBH will work to continue to provide services to
communities and to mitigate the impact of any reductions. She
then introduced Careline, a program funded by DBH.
1:41:55 PM
SUSANNA MARCHUK, Executive Director, The Alaska Careline,
informed the committee that Careline is a 24-hour hotline
operated 365 days per year, and is Alaska's only statewide
suicide prevention and crisis support hotline. Careline is
nationally accredited and participates in the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline network, while providing local services.
Also, Careline is a backup center for the national Veterans
Crisis Line. She said Careline's vision is: Our communities
and our state, free from suicide. Although not specific to
veterans, Careline works to change the climate around suicide in
Alaska by promoting wellness, and striving to support
individuals prior to a crisis. Ms. Marchuk said no caller is
turned away and calls can be related to behavioral health,
substance abuse, trauma, grief and loss, domestic violence,
sexual assault, self-injury, and more (slide 8). On average, 50
percent of calls are repeat callers with whom Careline maintains
contact, and many callers are experiencing mental health
conditions and have limited support systems. On average, 30
percent of calls are related to a suicidal crisis, and
responders work to help callers assess risk, develop a safety
plan, engage additional support, and establish a follow-up
contact. About 95 percent of suicide-related calls are new
callers. Careline has seen a significant growth in call volume
over the last five years; in fact, there were over 10,000 calls
in 2014 due to outreach by its partnership organizations (slide
9). Careline seeks to continue to support wellness in Alaska.
1:46:21 PM
CHAIR HERRON observed that calls average about 29 per day. He
asked about staffing, the busiest time of day, staff
qualifications, and turnover.
MS. MARCHUK explained Careline is staffed by three shifts per
day, one staff member per shift with backup, and a text line is
available from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Call triage allows staff
members to manage multiple calls, in addition, Careline has a
contract with a backup center to ensure calls are always
answered. Historically, the busiest time is the after-school
and after-work hours from 4:00 p.m. to midnight. Staff members
must have a desire to help others, and passion keeps them on the
job; it is gratifying to save lives and there is low staff
turnover.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked how the text line works.
MS. MARCHUK explained that the text line is monitored 40 hours
per week. If a text is received during hours the line is not
staffed, the message is referred to the Careline number.
Afterward, the text line works as a chat line using a short code
number.
CHAIR HERRON questioned the appeal of a text line.
1:52:20 PM
MS. MARCHUK said a text line is specifically geared to youth
suicide prevention because data indicates that youth do not
call; the program was established two years ago and is
effective. In further response to Chair Herron, she said those
concerned about someone else can call and, with permission,
Careline will initiate contact.
CHAIR HERRON returned to Ms. Casto and inquired as to what
action is required from the legislature.
MS. CASTO requested continued funding at the past levels; for
example, Careline is critical to DBH's work, but its grant
funding ends this year. She deferred to members of the
Statewide Suicide Prevention Council.
1:56:39 PM
SAMUEL HUDSON, Public Affairs Director, Alaska VA Healthcare
System (AVAHS), Veterans Health Administration, provided a
PowerPoint presentation entitled "Alaska VA HealthCare System
Brief for Alaska State Legislature House Military & Veterans'
Affairs," dated 2/26/15. Mr. Hudson informed the committee that
AVAHS employees take each of the U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs (VA) "I Care" values very seriously (slide 2). The
AVAHS mission is to simply do what it can to take care of its
veterans. Continuing to strategic goals, he noted the
presentation would address the resources and partners needed to
reduce suicide, and would provide information to communities and
veterans to identify those in crisis (slide 3). In Alaska, the
Department of Veteran Affairs is divided into the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefit Administration
(VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) (slide 4).
2:00:26 PM
COURTNEY DREHER, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, AVAHS, VHA, VA,
stated that the Suicide Prevention Program at the Alaska VA was
established in 2007. There are suicide prevention coordinators
(SPCs) located at every VA facility nationwide who respond to
every Veteran Crisis Line referral received. Veterans can call,
text, or chat with responders. Ms. Dreher said her office
responds to referrals within 24 hours. The suicide prevention
message from the VA is to focus on the power of one, and how one
person, one conversation, or one interaction can make a
difference in saving someone's life. The local coordinator
provides educational programs such as Operation SAVE, a suicide
prevention gatekeeper training for all VA employees, as well as
others. Operation SAVE stands for: Identify signs of suicidal
thinking, Ask the Question, Validate the Veterans Experience,
and Encourage and Expedite getting care (slide 5).
CHAIR HERRON asked what VA thinks is the root cause of veteran
suicide.
MR. HUDSON stated VA wishes to eradicate suicide. He offered to
provide whatever statistics the committee requests.
MS. DREHER explained that at Alaska VA there is a process for
enhancing care for veterans who are identified as at a high risk
for suicide, and their records are flagged. Identified patients
are seen weekly for at least one month. On average, there are
32 veterans per month placed on a high risk for suicide protocol
statewide, and her office tracks "attempts and completions."
Included in the coordinator's role are outreach, identification,
and expediting patients into mental health care (slide 6).
2:05:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked the speaker to compare suicide
statistics in the general population to that of veterans.
MR. HUDSON said the suicide rate in Alaska in general is 19.2
per 100,000 residents. He will provide additional requested
information.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX surmised the rate is about 140 per year,
in the general population of Alaska, and asked whether this rate
is higher or lower than that of veterans in Alaska.
MS. DREHER said that is about accurate.
MR. HUDSON said he would research the requested information and
provide answers to the committee.
CHAIR HERRON asked whether the number of veterans who have an
aversion to using VA and government services is known.
MR. HUDSON said no; however, AVAHS uses its partners to support
those who are not in contact with AVAHS. He offered to research
this information as well.
2:09:34 PM
MS. DREHER continued to explain that part of her role is to
coordinate outreach and partnerships with local agencies in
order to reach veterans who may not be enrolled with the VA, and
"vet centers" are available in several communities to provide
combat veterans with mental health care. In addition, AVAHS
participates in the Anchorage Suicide Prevention Coalition, the
Behavioral Health Alliance, and other organizations. She
provides coordination with local hospitals for veterans in
inpatient mental health facilities prior to their discharge. At
the Anchorage clinic, mental health triage is provided by social
workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists during the week, and
there are efforts to have local emergency rooms evaluate
veterans. The Wise Warrior Group meets weekly with any veteran
who has a safety plan or is interested in developing a safety
plan (slide 6). In 2010, VA began to gather more data from all
of the states, which revealed that 22 veterans per day die by
suicide. She offered to provide a copy of the Suicide Data
Report, 2012, VA Mental Health Services Suicide Prevention
Program. Each SPC also reports on a monthly basis to mental
health leadership and to the National Suicide Prevention
Coordinator on attempts, completions, and outreach efforts.
Coordinators also train and support clinical staff on safety
planning, case consultations, and suicide prevention resources,
and provide materials that make the crisis line number available
to staff, community members, and veterans (slide 7).
2:14:10 PM
CHAIR HERRON asked for the speaker's reaction to the film Crisis
Hotline: Veterans Press 1.
MS. DREHER answered that the film provided insight into the
daily operations of a crisis line, and is excellent. She
continued to explain that SPCs provide veteran-produced monthly
cards with a recovery and wellness theme to about 215 high-risk
veterans each month (slide 8).
MR. HUDSON directed attention to the Clay Hunt Act, enacted
2/12/15. The initiative provides enhancements to VA mental
health and suicide prevention programs and extends the
enrollment period for VA eligibility by one year to combat
veterans discharged between 1/1/09 and 1/1/11 (slide 9).
CHAIR HERRON questioned why enrollment for veterans is not open-
ended.
MR. HUDSON said he did not know and would provide an answer.
The Clay Hunt Act also includes a pilot program for the
repayment of educational loans for certain psychiatrists (slide
10).
CHAIR HERRON asked whether a recent film on this subject and the
aforementioned documentary have increased the awareness for
veterans who use AVAHS services.
MR. HUDSON said he was unsure. He reviewed the committee's
unanswered questions.
2:21:04 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs meeting was
adjourned at 2:21 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 61, CS version N.pdf |
HMLV 2/26/2015 1:00:00 PM |
HB 61 |
| HMVA 2.26.15 - DHSS DBH Alaska Suicide Prevention presentation - HMVA committee 02.26.2015.pdf |
HMLV 2/26/2015 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HMVA 2.26.15 - DHSS DBH Alaska Suicide Prevention Trainings infographic - HMVA committee 02.26.2015.pdf |
HMLV 2/26/2015 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HMVA 2.26.15 -VA Presentation - SPC_Program_Final.pdf |
HMLV 2/26/2015 1:00:00 PM |