HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE February 26, 2013 1:34 p.m. 1:34:03 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Austerman called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 1:34 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Alan Austerman, Co-Chair Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair Representative Mia Costello Representative Bryce Edgmon Representative Les Gara Representative Lindsey Holmes Representative Scott Kawasaki, Alternate Representative Cathy Munoz Representative Steve Thompson Representative Tammie Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT Representative David Guttenberg ALSO PRESENT Joseph Masters, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety (DPS); Lauree Morton, Executive Director, Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Les Morse, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education and Early Development (DEED); William Streur, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS); John Skidmore, Criminal Division Director, Department of Law (LAW); Ron Taylor, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections (DOC); Stacy Schubert, Director, Governmental Relations and Public Affairs, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Revenue (DOR). PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE SUMMARY ^PRESENTATION: CHOOSE RESPECT: INITIATIVE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and SEXUAL ASSAULT 1:34:07 PM JOSEPH MASTERS, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS), provided the PowerPoint presentation "House Finance Committee, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Initiative (DVSA) Update (copy on file)." He discussed the reasons for the initiative and the choice of the title "Choose Respect." The issue was a priority for the governor and legislature. The governor began the initiative in FY 2010. Domestic violence and sexual assault were occurring in Alaska at epidemic proportions. He offered that "Choose Respect" was not merely a slogan, but was a "comprehensive approach to community, individual, and governmental involvements for Alaskans to end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault." Commissioner Masters discussed Slide 2: Overview: History and development of the initiative Commissioner Masters shared that not only did the state want to address the serious issue but communities wanted to become part of the solution as well. He noted the desire among communities to break the silence and develop a comprehensive approach to address the very serious issue. The administration wanted to develop an approach to foster responsibility and community ownership. A core component brought the state agencies together to work collaboratively towards a common goal. The collaboration extended to external entities as well. Commissioner Masters moved to Slide 3: "Mission: To End the Epidemic" "Alaska can't reach its full potential until we tackle the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault. We will shine the light of justice and a ray of hope into places where domestic violence and sexual assault have ruled. We will not rest until every Alaskan lives safe from abuse." Governor Sean Parnell Commissioner Masters shared that he was a member of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and a husband and father. He voiced that domestic and sexual violence was more than public safety issues; they were human rights, spiritual, community, and public health issues. The initiative's purpose was to change social norms, which would take a long time. He explained the shift in public consciousness when grassroots efforts take place over time. He stated that DVSA like other significant initiatives were long term and had to be instituted for many years before change happened. Commissioner Masters turned to Slide 4: "Goals and Measures of Success" Decrease victimization Decrease in perpetration Increase in offender accountability Increase in utilization and access to services Increase in self-reporting or in reports of harm Increase in primary prevention and protective factors The primary measure was to increase in primary prevention and protective Commissioner Masters remarked that understanding the scope of the problem was essential to address the issue. Commissioner Masters cited Slide 5: Comprehensive Approach · Support for Survivors · Prevention and Intervention · Law Enforcement · Coordination · Data Commissioner Masters noted the five focus areas of DVSA's comprehensive approach. 1:43:35 PM LAUREE MORTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, discussed the following two slides. She presented Slide 6: Intimate Partner Violence Percent of adult women who experienced intimate partner violence Intimate Partner Violence Lifetime Past Year Alaska 47.6% 9.4% Fairbanks 49.5% 10.8% Anchorage 42.2% 8.2% Juneau 47.1% 12.1% Bristol Bay 44.2% 12.3% Sitka 40.4% 5.1% Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta 44.6% 13.6% Kodiak 38.4% 5.7% Ms. Morton explained that the slides replicated results from regional surveys and from the statewide Alaska Victimization Survey performed in 2010 and 2011. She noted that the statewide survey was included as appendix B in the handout titled, "Choose Respect Governor Parnell's Initiative Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, 2013 LEGISLATIVE REPORT" (copy on file). She reported that 48 out of every 100 women experienced interpersonal violence and 37 out of every 100 experienced sexual violence. The regional results confirmed the statewide statistics. The regional results were not for comparison purposes but for the individual community to offer appropriate strategies and evaluate results. She believed the data was conservative due to survey limitations and the stigma of reporting victimization. She detailed that 47.6 percent of Alaskan women who experienced Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetime represented 117,685 women and in the past year (2009) 23,240 women. Ms. Morton addressed slide 7: "Sexual Violence" Percent of adult women who experienced sexual violence Sexual Violence Lifetime Past Year Alaska 37.1% 4.3% Fairbanks 31.4% 2.7% Anchorage 29.6% 1.4% Juneau 35.3% 1.0% Bristol Bay 31.2% 4.4% Sitka 24.7% 2.4% Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta 25.4% 5.1% Kodiak 22.9% 1.1% Ms. Morton explained that 37.1 percent of women who experienced sexual violence in their lifetime represented 91,725 women and in the past year (2009) 4.3 percent represented 10,631. She thought that the numbers were "staggering." LES MORSE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT (DEED), discussed the scope of the problem. He turned to slide 8: "Scope of the Problem" Percentage of high school students who were ever hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months Grades 9 -12 12.0% of all students 13.4% of all male students 10.5% of all female students The slide included a chart that depicted the results by grade level. Mr. Morse commented that the results were taken from a bi- annual survey of high school students. Mr. Morse discussed slide 9: "Scope of the problem" Percentage of high school students who had ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to Given to children in alternative schools. Grades 9 -12 9.2% of all students 7.2% of all male students 11.3% of all female students •Females are more likely than males to have been forced to have intercourse The slide included a chart that depicted the results by grade level. Mr. Morse expounded that the survey was expanded to include alternative high school students, which typically have higher percentages. WILLIAM STREUR, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES (DHSS), offered a brief overview of the following slides. He cited Slide 10: "Adverse Childhood Experiences" Abuse (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse) Neglect Household dysfunction Mother treated violently (exposure to violence) Household substance abuse Household mental illness Incarcerated household member Commissioner Streur indicated that one of the largest studies completed centered on the relationship between childhood mistreatment and effects in adulthood. The study was a collaboration between the federal government and Kaiser Permemante that involved over 17 thousand members. Commissioner Streur turned to Slide 11: "Adverse Childhood Experiences." which represented adverse experiences on a pyramided scale from conception to death: Disrupted Neurodevelopment; Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment; Adoption of Health-risk Behaviors; Disease, Disability, Social Problems, and Early Death. Commissioner Streur reviewed Slide 12: "Health Consequences" Adverse childhood experiences in Alaska contribute to costly public health issues including: Alcoholism and alcohol abuse •Depression •Illicit drug use •Risk for intimate partner violence •Sexually transmitted infections Smoking Suicide attempts Early initiation of sexual activity Adolescent pregnancy Heart disease Chronic lung disease 1:52:21 PM Commissioner Masters highlighted slide 13: "Short Term Measures of Success" · Increased community awareness and involvement · Increased reports to law enforcement · Increased utilization of victim services Commissioner Masters discussed slide 14: "Community Involvement and Awareness" Number of Choose Respect Marches Commissioner Masters explained the graph of the "Number of Choose Respect Marches" and the value of community involvement. He noted that participation focused awareness in a community. Within three years 120 communities held marches. Commissioner Masters identified Slide 15: "120 Alaska Communities Engaged in 2012" Commissioner Masters commented that the depicted map demonstrated that participation was statewide. Commissioner Masters discussed Slide 16: "Alaska Uniform Crime Reports" Rate of Forcible Rape Reported to Law Enforcement per 10,000 Commissioner Masters discussed the graph that depicted the reported number of rapes from 2007 to 2011. The rate increased from 2007 until 2010 and dropped in 2011. He cautioned that the 2011 data was preliminary and required further verification. Ms. Morton addressed slide 17: "Utilization of Victim Services." The slide graphed Shelter Nights Provided by Funded Victim Service Providers and Victim Service Programs Utilization Cost per Shelter Night. She delineated that an increased utilization of victim's services was a measure of the initiative's short term success. She expected to see the number increase. She added that a steady increase was seen from 2007 to 2012. The cost per shelter night had not risen significantly over the same period ($24. increase). She added that the council tracked other indicators. She shared some statistics. The number of persons served in 2012 was 9,349; 17 percent men, 80 percent women and 28 percent of the women served had children. She continued that 73 percent experienced domestic violence, 19 percent experienced sexual assault, 3 percent experienced stalking, and 14 percent experienced other violent crimes. The percentages added to greater than 100 percent because victims suffered from multiple crimes. Ms. Morton listed the executive directors of the women's shelters around the state: Suzi Pearson-AWAKE; Elaine Rittgers-Arctic Women in Crisis, Barrow; Dawn McDevitt- Seaview Counseling Services, Seward; Saralyn Tabachnick- AWARE, Juneau; Nicole Songer-Cordova Family Resource Center; Brenda Stanfill-Interior Alaska Center for Non- Violent Living, Fairbanks; Rachel Romberg-South Peninsula Haven House, Homer; Michelle DeWitt-Tundra Women's Coalition, Bethel; Ginger Baim-SAFE, Dilllingham; Vickie D'Amico-SAVE, Sitka. Ms. Morton related that the shelters were open 24 hours each day and provided a "safety net" for victims. Ms. Morton discussed Slide 18: 2013 Alaska Dashboard 33 population indicators: Childhood exposure to violence Child and youth victimization Adult and elder victimization Reports of harm Utilization of services Reports to law enforcement Offender accountability Primary prevention and protective factors Used to assess trends and progress over the life of the initiative Progress: o Satisfactory o Uncertain o Needs improvement 2nd year of publication Updated annually Ms. Morton commented that the dashboard was another tool to measure the initiatives effectiveness. (Included in appendix "c" of the "Choose Respect" Legislative Report) The dashboard provided a "concrete guideline" for the state to assess progress. The dashboard data helped determine whether a project had a connection to key population indicators. New to the 2013 dashboard was the trending charts that will provide an "at a glance" view of developing trends in the future. Colored dots were used to grade the progress of state divisions responsible for individual indicators and to assess effectiveness. The council reviewed the progress of DVSA programs and the measured progress provided opportunity to encourage dialog within communities and engage people about the issues. 2:01:40 PM Ms. Morton examined Slide 19: Long Term Measure of Success The Alaska Victimization Survey is the baseline data for victimization rates •Decrease in past year estimates of intimate partner and sexual violence •Will be replicated in 2015 Ms. Morton stated that the council did not expect the lifetime indicators to change, but the past year's indicators were expected to decrease. She appreciated the participants in the survey. The participants wanted to provide the information in order to help other victims. Ms. Morton moved to Slide 20: "Funding by Key Priority Area" 1) Prevention and Intervention 2) Support for Survivors 3) Law Enforcement Ms. Morton introduced Slide 21: Highlights: Prevention and Intervention Prevention Summit Fourth R Family Violence Prevention Project Ms. Morton stated that the Prevention Summit held in November 2012, supported the growth of local community prevention. The summit brought together 14 communities to enhance or develop prevention plans. The summit participants carried on throughout the year with support and technical assistance for the communities in order to implement the prevention plans. Mr. Morse interjected that Fourth R was a "comprehensive curriculum designed to reduce violence and risk behaviors and to focus on healthy relationships and decision making." The curriculum served students in grades 7 through 9. He noted that 18.1 percent of schools, 100 teachers , and 100 community partners were trained to utilize the program. Commissioner Streur explained that the Family Violence Prevention Project was created to support 13 regional multi-disciplinary training teams of teacher, health care professionals, behavioral health specialists, and teens. The teams provided community training on adolescent brain development, substance abuse, dating violence prevention, and other subjects. He briefly described various communities' strategies to utilize the project. He noted that the project provided training on the effects of violence on children and brain development to 689 service providers throughout the state. The project developed a curriculum on adverse childhood experiences and resiliency to the Department of Corrections and trained 24 staffers. Alaska was the first state in the country to educate prison inmates in parenting programs about the impacts of violence on children. Stacy Schubert, Director, Governmental Relations and Public Affairs, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Revenue introduced Slide 22: Highlights: Support for Survivors Empowering Choice Housing Voucher Program Adult Protective Services Trauma Informed Care Family Wellness Warriors Ms. Schubert offered that in FY 2013 the legislature approved $1.34 million in capital funding to aide families displaced due to domestic violence and sexual assault with the Empowering Choice Housing Program. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) contributed an additional $1 million of federal funds from a Moving to Work block grant. The funding provided 200 vouchers per year. The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA), AHFC, and CDVSA, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the program. On November 1, 2012 victims received vouchers for assistance for up to 36 months. The vouchers were provided through referrals from ANDVSA agencies in communities where AHFC currently operated Housing Choice Voucher Program. In communities where AHFC did not operate a voucher program, Bethel, Cordova, and Nome the referrals received preferential placement on the public housing waiting list. Currently nine families occupied a voucher unit and 19 more families were eligible. 2:09:48 PM Commissioner Streur continued to discuss slide 22. He reported that an appropriation for Adult Protective Services was intended to increase the protection of vulnerable adults and ensure the quality of services. The funding provided three additional Adult Protective Services workers located in for Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. The goals were to provide better evaluation of new providers and onsite review of providers, technical assistance and training, timely completion of complaint investigation, and reports of findings and sanctions. He detailed that the outcome the outcome was to ensure vulnerable adults protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The department's effectiveness measure was the percent of substantiated reports of abuse or neglect and the average time it took DHSS to initiate an investigation. He wanted to ensure that DHSS facilities were safe and free from reports of harm. Commissioner Streur continued with an explanation of Trauma Informed Care, which dealt with the juvenile justice system through the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Trainings in Trauma Informed Care were administered in youth facilities around the state. The pilot program was conducted at the McLaughlin Youth Center in 2009. The screenings ascertained that 70 percent of the youth in the detention unit and all youth in the institutional treatment unit admitted to a history of some type of abuse or neglect. He stated that after the staff received the training the number of resident restraint incidences fell significantly from 46.2 per year to 5.2 per year and in detention restraints fell from 29 to 1.8 restraints per year. The decline in restraints was attributed to the enhanced communication skill techniques with the residents. He added that the Alaska Child Trauma Center supported by the Division of Behavioral Health, partnered with the Co- Occuring Disorders Institute in the Matanuska - Susitna Valley and launched the statewide training program to improve the responses to trauma. A total of 1,577 providers in all areas of children's services were trained in Trauma Informed Care. He addressed the Family Wellness Warriors Program. The program was complementary to the Rural Community Pilot Project. The program was founded in the Southcentral Foundation located in Anchorage. The program's long term outcome was to provide communities with education, training, leadership development, and technical assistance to aid community leaders in an effort to reduce family violence. JOHN SKIDMORE, CRIMINAL DIVISION DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF LAW (LAW), addressed slide 23: "Highlights: Law Enforcement" · Child in Need of Aid Attorneys · Sex Offender Management · Fairbanks misdemeanant Probationer Accountability Certain Enforcement Project · More meaningful law enforcement presence Mr. Skidmore stated that department attorneys provided representation for abused children. He shared that accountability was an important factor in Child In Need of Aid (CHINA) cases. The adult perpetrator must be held responsible; abusive parents could have parental rights terminated. Additional CHINA attorneys were designated to areas of the state with a high rate of domestic violence and CHINA cases. The additional attorneys had a "significant impact" on the cases. The cases were more complex and the added focus and resources was a "tremendous value." He stated that it was difficult to measure success in CHINA cases but the additional resources already had an impact. RON TAYLOR, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS (DOC), discussed slide 23: "Sex Offender Management." He detailed the strategy. He explained that the Sex Offender Management Program had two components. The first component was to expand the Bethel program. Unsuccessful Request for Proposals (RFP) lead DOC to find other strategies for the program's expansion. The second component duplicated the type of sex offender management program at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center to the medium and minimum offenders at the Palmer Correctional Center. He expected to have a provider by the end of the fiscal year for 20 participants waiting for the program currently in "pre-treatment." 2:18:50 PM Mr. Taylor turned to the "Fairbanks Misdemeanant Probationer Accountability Certain Enforcement project" listed on slide 23. He relayed that 9 participants were currently in the program. One goal of the program was increased victim participation and safety. The victim worked with the probation officer in misdemeanant cases for support and security. Another goal was offender accountability for misdemeanant domestic violence cases. The nine participants in the program had not committed further assaults against the victims. Commissioner Masters highlighted slide 23: "More meaningful law enforcement presence." He explained that a keystone of the DVSA initiative was to place a "more meaningful law enforcement presence" in any community of the state that requested support. One approach was to place Village Public Safety Officers (VPSO) in rural communities. The approach was both promising and challenging. The administration increased the number of VPSO's from 45 to the mid-90 since 2008. The department increased VPSO training and also included VPO's (Village Police Officer) in the training. The department also enhanced efforts to enforce technical crimes via the internet: predation, and distribution of child pornography. Additional investigators were added to major crimes units for adult sexual crimes. The department was placing a higher priority to fill State Trooper positions in rural areas and added several new positions in communities where the criminal activity occurred. Commissioner Masters turned to Slide 24: "Highlights: FY 2014 Governor's Budget" Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act - $1.4M •Strengthening Families - $250.0 •Child Advocacy Centers - $400.0 •Community Based Prevention Efforts - $300.0 •New and Emerging Programs - $250.0 •3 Prosecutors and 1 Victim Witness Paralegal for child abuse cases - $815.0 Victim Information and Notification Everyday - $80.0 3 Trooper Investigators for child sexual abuse and sex trafficking - $827.2 Village Public Safety Officer Program - $2,972.6 Low interest loans for Village Public Safety Officer Housing - $1.0M Empowering Choices Program - $1.5M Commissioner Masters noted the details of the highlights were included in appendix "a" of the governor's report to the legislature ("Choose Respect" copy on file). He summarized the three primary strategy areas of the initiative: prevention, survivor services, and offender accountability. The highlights fit within the framework of the strategies. Ms. Morton discussed Slide 25: "Increased Coordination" · Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault statutory responsibility o Memorandum of understanding between state departments o Initiative workgroups o Interdepartmental prevention coordination o Community level involvement Ms. Morton detailed that the DVSA initiative provided the opportunity for increased coordination between state departments and also amongst community stakeholders. The council developed a memorandum of understanding between the departments that sit on the council: DPS, DOL, DOC, DEED, and DHSS. The purpose was to coordinate the state's response to DVSA crimes. She added that the Initiative Workgroups was another approach by the council to increase coordination efforts. The workgroups were "think tanks" comprised of all DVSA stakeholders, tasked with developing ideas to move the initiative goals forward. The workgroup suggested that prevention and early childhood exposure were areas to emphasize. The areas were the correct "place to start to shift social norms." The workgroup also examined data to help review and evaluate strategies and discuss how to proceed with the implementation of strategies. She noted that the council began "interdepartmental prevention coordination" with the different departments and divisions were working on overlapping strategies. The goal was to cohesively address the issues of DVSA. Finally, the community level involvement had dramatically increased. Opportunities for adults and teens to apply for mini grants ($5,000 to $10,000) and implement projects to help end DVSA in their communities were in place. 2:29:01 PM Ms. Morton reviewed Slide 26: "Prevention Success" o Stand Up Speak Up o Girls on the Run o When I Am and Elder o Lead On! o Fourth R o Green Dot o Alaska Men Choose Respect/Real Alaska Men o Coaching Boys Into Men Ms. Morton discussed the various programs. She noted that the first five programs were focused on youth and youth leadership to encourage the "attitude of respect." Girls on the Run provided girls aged 8 through 13 the opportunity to run with a female mentor and also explore self-esteem building and self-respect to help instill those qualities at a young age. She explained that the "When I Am an Elder" program was designed to promote "respect, peace, and equality." Based on a poem by a Bethel teen that created a vision for what the world should look like when they were an elder living without domestic and sexual violence. She related that Lead On! was an opportunity for youth to participate in a conference where they develop and teach other youth ways to "stand up and be respectful." She stated that Green Dot provided an opportunity for adults to participate in "bi-stander intervention." The approach was a way for individuals to learn about the potential ways to help intervene in sexual assault and domestic violence situations by equipping community members with the necessary skills. The goal was to integrate moments of intervention in everyday life. She remarked that Alaska Men Choose Respect/Real Alaska Men encouraged men and youth to explore ways to end DVSA. Lastly, Coaching Boys Into Men provided an opportunity for high school coaches to discuss respectful treatment of themselves, girls, and women with their team members for 12 week, 15 minute interactions. Ms. Morton concluded with slide 27: "Concluding Remarks" Unaddressed violence in families leaves Alaska's young people vulnerable to experiencing of recreating violent patterns within their own relationships. Fortunately, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault are preventable. Ms. Morton shared that ultimately it was important to do whatever was possible to tackle the serious issue of DVSA, regardless of the outcome. Co-Chair Austerman commended the overview and the people who were doing the hard work on the "front lines." He stated that the governor's initiative elevated knowledge about the issue. Co-Chair Austerman asked about slide 6 and wondered how to equate the lifetime versus the past year statistics to ascertain the scope of the issue. Ms. Morton did not feel the two were exclusive and both created an accurate representation. She responded that the lifetime data provided a point in time to reference. The past year data was the active year when declines were expected to determine whether the initiative was changing norms. Co-Chair Austerman asked about missions and measures and the need to measure accountability for the initiative. He asked how accountable the initiative was and when the total cost of the program could be determined. 2:39:50 PM Commissioner Streur responded that accountability depended on the project. He exemplified the vulnerable adults' increment in the budget and expected measurable results next year. Some of the prevention projects might take years to experience change. He observed that accountability varied "significantly" depending on the project. He advocated measuring "everything" for "effectiveness and efficiency." Commissioner Masters added that accountability would be measured by the results of the past year data from the surveys in 2015 for victimization. He noted that it was more difficult to gather timely information for measuring reporting. The active data took one year to 18 months. He believed that measuring the effectiveness of strategies was vital. He exemplified VPSO placement in communities. The VPSO program had a positive effect on crime and the rates that serious crime was prosecuted. Villages with VPSO experienced a 40 percent reduction in serious physical injury from assault and lower rates of suicide. Placement of VPSOs in communities was an effective strategy. He thought that prevention showed a cumulative effect on dollar costs as well as human costs. Co-Chair Austerman appreciated the work on coordination. He was concerned about the costs of duplicated efforts. He wanted to see more funding coordination without duplication between all of the different entities involved in the initiative. Vice-Chair Neuman asked about "costs and measurables." He wondered how to create a "methodology" to measure success against the financial costs of programs. He cited page 4 of the "Choose Respect" report and asked whether the initiative measured the financial costs when measuring the goals for determining success. Commissioner Masters stated that the cumulative amount spent on the initiative was not determined. The issue was so far reaching and complex definitive costs were difficult to determine. Vice-Chair Neuman stated that "the rate of recidivism was 92 percent for people who commit sexually violent crimes." He believed the only solution was imprisonment due to the criminal's propensity for sexual predation. 2:49:04 PM Commissioner Masters responded that the recidivism and rehabilitation question was best answered by DOC. The worst cases required incarceration. He stated that the repetitive misdemeanant needed a "mechanism" for rehabilitation other than incarceration because it "did not work" and created a revolving door of incarceration, which was more expensive. Representative Kawasaki cited slide 17 related to shelter nights. He wondered whether the victims were staying in shelters for longer periods or the number of victims was increasing. Ms. Morton responded that the answer was both; victims were staying longer and the numbers of victims were increasing. Representative Kawasaki asked how the shelter night's costs were established. Ms. Morton explained that the number was derived by taking the amount of funds given to the programs and dividing the amount into the number of shelter nights. Representative Kawasaki requested a brief explanation of the types of programs offered in shelters. Ms. Morton shared that shelters provided services such as crisis lines, actual food and shelter, advocacy services, and personal support. A wide variety of services were combined in a shelter to provide support. Representative Kawasaki wondered whether the reimbursement rates were adequate to meet the shelter's needs. Ms. Morton responded that the current DPS House budget closeout included a recommendation of increased costs for shelters. Shelters were experiencing increased costs in utilities and personnel. Shelters were an area of need and concern for the council. She appreciated the legislature's efforts to meet the need. Representative Gara pointed to slide 11 and asked about adverse childhood experiences and the impact on the brain. He asked what percentages of children were reached in order to remedy the impact on the child. He asked what measures were taken to remedy the impacts on the brain. Commissioner Streur answered that the Kaiser study provided the information and he did know the percentages. He offered to provide the information. Representative Gara asked what measures were being addressed to prevent damage to the child. Commissioner Streur replied that multiple DHSS programs such as trauma informed care addressed the program. Representative Gara wondered whether services similar to trauma informed care were provided to children who had not committed crimes. Commissioner Streur replied in the affirmative. The problem was being addressed throughout the department; in behavioral health, Medicaid services, and department wide trauma informed care focus. Representative Kawasaki asked about the "Fairbanks Misdemeanant Probationer Accountability Certain Enforcement Project". He cited that nine people were in the program. Mr. Taylor replied in the affirmative. He clarified that the nine were included in the current fiscal year. Representative Kawasaki thought that was a small amount of participants compared to the $200 thousand cost. Mr. Taylor responded that the initial pilot intended to serve 20 people. He added that DOC was working with the courts, governor's office, DOL, and public defenders in order to increase the numbers. Part of the problem was the difficulty placing misdemeanants on consenting formal supervision. 3:00:34 PM Representative Holmes asked at what point did the increasing reporting or incident numbers indicating the initiative's success move from being a positive result to a negative result. Commissioner Masters stated that the answer was unknown. He stated that part of the answer involved trending statistics. If the rates of victimization were trending down and reporting increased that was a good result in the short term. Representative Edgmon referenced slide 5 and recognized that the initiative was only two years along in a ten year program. He pointed to the various bullet points and wondered where the program was on a scale of one to ten. He noted that the numbers kept increasing. Commissioner Masters responded that the timeline of the initiative was only two and one half years into the initiative. He commented that different areas were progressing at different paces in line with effort. He agreed that the law enforcement side was further along. He mentioned the different prevention programs and noted a recent more comprehensive effort in the prevention area. Commissioner Streur stated that a new generation of perpetrators emerged that won't be affected much by the initiative. The initiative was attempting to deal with current intervention while trying to reach the upcoming generation with prevention. He offered that most of the intervention and prevention services were barely adequate to reach a small percentage of needy recipients. He believed that even small efforts were necessary to figure out solutions. Prevention and coordination could be developed more fully. He was a strong advocate of using the scorecard to evaluate, qualify and quantify efforts. He did not think the challenges of DVSA were fully identified yet. He believed there was a long way to go. Co-Chair Austerman stated that the committee would constantly review the program in order to identify progress. ADJOURNMENT 3:09:16 PM The meeting was adjourned at 3:09 p.m.