Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
01/28/2009 10:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Budget | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
January 28, 2009
10:15 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 10:15:10 AM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Laraine Derr, Board Member, Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority; Jeff Jesse, Executive Director, Alaska Mental
Health Trust Authority.
SUMMARY
^Overview: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Budget
Presentation: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Budget
LARAINE DERR, BOARD MEMBER, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
AUTHORITY explained the importance of the Alaska Mental
Health Trust. She introduced other trust members and staff.
Ms. Derr elaborated that Alaska Mental Health Trust
beneficiaries were people with mental illness, developmental
disabilities, chronic alcoholism, or Alzheimer's disease and
other dementia. She explained that an overview of the state
regarding the mental health trust is the Alaska Scorecard
(Copy on File).
JEFF JESSE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH TRUST
AUTHORITY, reviewed the scorecard (Copy on File). He
described the trust's statutory obligation to present the
status of the mental health condition for Alaska. He worked
closely with the Department of Health and Social Services
(DHSS) to develop the scorecard, which makes information on
the condition of Alaska's mental health easily available.
The DHSS website gives more detailed information about the
data listed in the scorecard.
Ms. Derr pointed out that several different groups advise
the members and staff of the Alaska Mental Health Trust. The
groups were detailed in the law as advisory groups with
boards that meet and bring recommendations forward. In
addition, the trust utilized the commissioners of DHSS, the
Department of Corrections (DOC), the Department of Natural
Resources, and the Department of Revenue. She acknowledged
the Alaska Brain Injury Network and the Suicide Prevention
council for ongoing collaboration.
Ms. Derr stated that the board recently addressed funding
shortfalls. She explained that ordinarily, 4.25 percent of
the investment in the trust is portioned out, enabling grant
distribution. The budget has been reduced to $21 million.
The endowment has dropped $100 million in value, which
translates to a $5 million reduction in available funds for
next year.
10:23:17 AM
Mr. Jessee referred to a PowerPoint presentation,
"Continuing our formula for success" (Copy on File.) He
revealed legislative priorities for FY10:
· Reauthorize adult dental Medicaid services
· Establish regular and periodic schedule of rate reviews
for home and community-based services
· Fund 10-year plan to reduce homelessness
· Fund community-coordinated transportation systems
10:27:27 AM
Mr. Jessee pointed out that trustees search for viable
solutions to these issues. The board has a deliberate
process of approaching mental health problems in the state.
The formula for success involves first identifying the need,
and then collaboration with governmental agencies, advisory
groups, non-profits, service providers, philanthropic
organizations, and the private sector. The group then
develops specific outcome goals, measures, and strategies
that are tracked over time.
Mr. Jessee delineated five focus areas:
· Bring the Kids Home
· Affordable, Appropriate Housing
· Disability Justice
· Workforce Development
· Beneficiary Projects Initiative
Mr. Jessee stated that the Bring the Kids Home program
allows children housed in out-of-state psychiatric treatment
centers to receive treatment closer to home with an
appropriate level of care at a cost of nearly $40 million.
The results are proven and increase exponentially with
community reinvestment.
10:31:26 AM
Mr. Jessee elaborated that the trust achieved credit for the
$3.8 million Medicaid reduction as a result of the Bring the
Kids Home program. The reduction is the result of serving
young beneficiaries in state. He credited DHSS for help with
the achievement.
Mr. Jessee discussed affordable, appropriate housing. He
maintained that 3,500 Alaskans are homeless on any given
night. Families with children are one of the fastest growing
segments of the homeless population. He stressed that the
problems of the homeless are different from those
individuals in low income housing. It is not as simple as
placing beneficiaries in an apartment because the homeless
tend to have difficulty strategizing the development of
their financial security. The method of combining a home
with support services allows housing to become the spring
board to employment, education, and a secure financial
future.
Mr. Jessee acquainted the committee with the Bridge Home
Pilot project. The program is funded entirely from the
trust. He explained the combination of resources from the
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and DHSS The
collaboration gives individuals who have been in and out of
DOC and the Alaskan Psychiatric Institute (API) stable
housing environments and support services. Results include
reduced incarceration and admissions to psychiatric
institutions.
10:35:12 AM
Mr. Jessee urged the committee to notice the ever growing
budgets of DOC, the courts, and the Department of Public
Safety (DPS). He explained that certain trust beneficiaries
are population members who cycle through the criminal
justice system.
Mr. Jessee stressed that the model is proven:
· Each $1 spent leverages $7 in other funds
· 600 housing trusts operating in more than 30 states
using these components
· Investment in permanent, affordable housing
· Include supportive services and skills training
Mr. Jessee addressed disability justice. He pointed out that
DOC was the single greatest mental health provider. Until a
recent study, it was not known how many beneficiaries were
in DOC. The study showed that 42 percent of inmates in DOC
were trust beneficiaries. If inmates with alcohol linked to
their criminal behavior were added, then the figure equaled
over 90 percent.
Mr. Jessie offered the possibility of reinvesting the
dollars spent on DOC and the courts into a portfolio of
evidence-based practices to keep beneficiaries out of the
system. He explained the link between the ten year plan to
end homelessness and other programs to improve on some of
the high cost centers in the state budget. He suggested
early screening, identifying beneficiaries as they enter the
criminal justice system, and the creation of an initial
discharge plan.
10:39:23 AM
Mr. Jessee identified significant results for the Anchorage
Mental Health Court. Misdemeanors were reduced by 17 percent
and new felonies were reduced by 16 percent. He shared an
experience about replacing trust funds with mental health
funds and objected to the idea that a crime must be
committed for a beneficiary to receive treatment.
Mr. Jessee spoke about the need for workforce development.
He stressed that without a well maintained and qualified
workforce, all of the good intentions and funding are to no
avail. The University of Alaska and the Department of Labor
and Workforce Development have helped identify methods for
recruiting people to work in these programs. Rural Alaskan
students are encouraged to choose health, and especially
mental health, related careers. He explained the benefits of
training people from smaller communities around the state as
behavior health aids and village based counselors with
funding sources such as Medicaid. He stressed the importance
of addressing underlying problems faced by smaller
communities.
10:43:23 AM
Mr. Jessee outlined the goals for workforce strategies in
FY10:
· Support student loan repayment strategies for health
professionals
· Support increments for University of Alaska health
programs
· Researching a psychiatric residency program in Alaska
· Finalizing plans for a PhD psychologist internship
program in Alaska.
Mr. Jessee discussed the Trust Beneficiary Projects
Initiative. He explained that the initiative was wholly
funded by the trust and he was not asking for general funds.
He stated that he did not intend for people to become
dependant upon government programs to maintain recovery;
beneficiaries can support each other. The initiative spends
over $1 million per year in trust funds to aid consumers in
supporting themselves. The trust funds a number of peer-run
programs and drop in centers/clubhouses for community
education and advocacy. He believed that peer to peer
support is a cost effective component of a comprehensive
mental health program for the state.
Mr. Jessee elucidated that the initiative has over 27
beneficiary grantees since 2006. The program is rigorously
evaluated for results. He anticipated coming to the
committee with positive results.
Senator Elton requested further information regarding
savings to the state in departments such as DPS, DOC, and
the courts. Mr. Jessee stated that he would provide the
requested information. He admitted that court system and DPS
costs are difficult to calculate.
10:46:43 AM
Senator Huggins asked about the trust's relationship with
DOC. Mr. Jessee replied that the relationship had
significantly improved and that work with DOC had been close
and positive. He stated that the relationship was the best
that it had been in some time.
Senator Ellis requested letters of support for SB32 the rate
review bill. Mr. Jessee stated that he would be happy to
help.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:49 AM.
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