1997-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 0179
SB 72                                                                        
An Act establishing the Healthy Families Alaska                               
program; relating to Medicaid coverage for targeted                            
case management services for pregnant women and                                
for eligible children under the age of five; and                               
providing for an effective date.                                               
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health,             
Education and Social Services and Finance Committees.                          
                                                                               
Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Health and                
Social Services (2).                                                           
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 30:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
Its easy to say lets just get tough when faced with the dilemma                
of how to put an end to our growing problem with juvenile crime.               
But getting tough is just one part of a much bigger formula.  We               
must promote and fund prevention services for kids who are at risk             
of becoming juvenile offenders so that we never allow the cycle of             
a life of violence and crime to begin.                                         
                                                                               
This bill is part of my package of legislation based on                        
recommendations of the Governors Conference on Youth and                       
Justice.  It establishes the Healthy Families Alaska program to                
provide education and support services to pregnant women and the               
families of newborn infants.                                                   
                                                                               
The Healthy Families program offers home visits to eligible families           
on a voluntary basis.  The visits are designed to meet the needs of            
parents for information, emotional support, stress management, and             
assistance with other negative factors that undermine parents health           
habits and the care of their children.  In addition to preventing child        
abuse and neglect, the service providers work with families to ensure          
their children receive medical care, such as immunizations, and that           
mothers receive prenatal care.