Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
02/07/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Adjourn | |
| Start | |
| Overview: Department of Family and Community Services |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 270 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 268
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending
appropriations; making capital appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; making reappropriations;
making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date."
HOUSE BILL NO. 270
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
^OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Co-Chair Johnson reviewed the meeting agenda. She turned
the gavel over to Co-Chair Foster.
1:37:00 PM
AT EASE
1:38:03 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Foster chaired the meeting.
1:38:19 PM
KIM KOVOL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES, introduced the PowerPoint presentation
"Department of Family and Community Services FY2025 Budget
Overview" dated February 7, 2024 (copy on file). She began
on slide 2 titled "Department of Family and Community
Services (DFCS):"
Mission:
To provide support, safety, and personal well-being
for vulnerable Alaskans.
Staff: 1,866 full-time permanent
Divisions:
Alaska Pioneer Homes
Alaska Psychiatric Institute
Office of Children's Services
Division of Juvenile Justice
Departmental Support Services
Total Budget: $478,452.4 ($ in thousands)
Commissioner Kovol turned to the organizational chart on
slide 3 and briefly described the department's organization
that contained 4 divisions: Alaska Pioneer Homes, Alaska
Psychiatric Institute, Office of Childrens Services, and
Juvenile Justice.
1:39:46 PM
MARIAN SWEET, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, continued on slide 4 titled "DFCS
Operating Budget Comparison FY 2023 - FY 2025 She
explained that the difference between the FY 24 management
plan and FY 25 request was a 3.9 percent increase, of which
the majority was technical salary increases. She pointed to
the FY 23 actuals that was significantly reduced due to
high vacancies and recruitment difficulties. She
anticipated via a new talent acquisition process, to
expedite recruitment and increase new hires. In addition,
in FY 23 the Office of Children's Services (OCS) received
funding from the People's First Initiative, where not all
the funding could be expended due to staff shortages and
low recruitment. However, the first division utilizing the
new hiring process was OCS and it already had increased new
hires.
Co-Chair Foster asked for confirmation that the 3.9 percent
increase in FY 25 was a comparison between the FY 24
management plan and FY 25 budget request. Ms. Sweet
responded in the affirmative. Co-Chair Foster asked if that
was in Undesignated General Funds (UGF) or an overall
increase. Ms. Sweet answered that it was an overall
increase. Co-Chair Foster asked what the UGF only increase
was. Ms. Sweet would follow-up with the answer.
Representative Coulombe asked for clarification on the
Other Funds on the slide represented by the gray on the bar
graph. Ms. Sweet responded that other funding was comprised
of interagency receipts and statutory designated program
receipts.
Co-Chair Foster noted Representative Stapp had joined the
meeting.
1:43:14 PM
Ms. Sweet continued on slide 5 titled "Department of Family
and Community Services - Departmental Support Services:"
Mission:
Provide quality administrative services in support of
the department's mission.
Staff: 82 full-time positions
Program Improvements:
Talent Acquisition Team
Technical Innovations
Representative Galvin cited the Other Funds category on
slide 4 and asked for more information. Ms. Sweet
reiterated that it was comprised of interagency receipts
and statutory designated program receipts.
Ms. Sweet continued on slide 6 titled "Departmental Support
Services (DSS) Operating Budget Comparison FY2023-FY2025
DSS Significant Budget Items:
Reorganize Designated Evaluation & Treatment and
Complex Care into new Coordinated Health & Complex
Care Component
FY 2025 Increment $750.0 (GF) to support Complex
Placement Program
Ms. Sweet noted that the reorganization and realignment
combined the Designated Evaluation and Treatment component
and Complex Care Unit. The second increment created a
single point of contact within state government for the
complex needs due to an insufficient number of providers.
The department worked with the community providers and
offered support, training, and funding so the community
could provide step down services for youth.
Co-Chair Foster asked for more information regarding how
the $750 thousand would be expended. Ms. Sweet answered
that it would mostly be expended for services offered by
the provider.
Representative Stapp referenced Disproportionate Share or
DSH payments. He asked for an explanation of what they are
and impacts if the payments changed. Ms. Sweet responded
that it was funding received through the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in support of hospital
that receive a disproportionate amount of patients without
insurance or Medicaid. The Alaska Psychiatric Institute
(API) received the Institution for Mental Disease (IMD)
portion of the funding. She cautioned that the DSH funding
might be reduced by the federal government. The department
sent an inquiry to CMS asking for clarity regarding how it
would affect Alaska's program; 50 percent of the program
was funded through Medicaid.
1:48:51 PM
Ms. Sweet addressed slide 7 titled Talent Acquisition
Team
Dedicated human resources team to improve recruitment
and retention
Expedited recruitment and hiring
Personal engagement with candidates throughout process
Specialized on-boarding support and orientation
training
Phased implementation - started with Office of
Children's Services
Ms. Sweet reiterated that recruitment had been a challenge
across all state agencies. The department discovered that
the administrative efforts for the hiring process were too
extreme; people lost interest because the process took too
long. The number of individuals declining positions was 53
percent due to the lack of communication from an employer
to a potential employee. She added that the increased
communication and support of the candidates demonstrated
that the Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS)
valued them as prospective employees. All divisions would
be onboarded in the new program by 2026.
Representative Tomaszewski asked how many people were on
the talent acquisition team. Ms. Sweet replied that it was
a team of 4.
Representative Galvin asked if there was research done
regarding wages and whether it was a factor in recruiting
and retaining, especially in OCS. Ms. Sweet responded that
the goal was to recruit and retain staff. She shared that
the state awarded a contract from an RFP on a salary study
on state positions. Representative Galvin clarified that
there was not a specific study regarding OCS.
1:53:43 PM
Ms. Sweet continued on slide 8 titled "Talent Acquisition
Team - Days from Referral to Approval to Hire." She shared
some of the successes of the talent acquisition team. The
time from referral of the candidate to offering the
position was reduced to 10 days.
Ms. Sweet moved to slide 9 titled "Technical Innovations
Data Lake
Mobile Device Management Standardization
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
ImageSource ILINX
Electronic Health Record
Tiger Connect
WiFi in Facilities
Ms. Sweet indicated that the department was committed to
using data to drive decisions and utilizing technology was
the means to its goal. The data would be used by the
Complex Care Team and increase collaboration between
divisions and community stake holders to help analyze the
need for services within the state. In addition, OCS had
implemented the electronic adoption management program via
ImageSource that was digitizing all adoption records that
paired with the Mobile Device Management allowing staff to
access many of the new data applications for all digitized
data. She elaborated that the department was partnering
with Net Smart to create Electronic Health Records for API
and the Pioneer Homes (PH). The department implemented
state secure WiFi in both facilities for patients,
residents, and their families.
Ms. Sweet continued that the department was focusing on
standardizing IT to build efficiencies and for use in
facility operations. She indicated that DFCS implemented
Tiger Connect in September 2023 that was a HIPA compliant
mobile device and desktop platform used to communicate both
internally and with external partners.
1:59:37 PM
CLINTON LASLEY, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, continued the presentation on slide
10 titled Alaska Pioneer Homes
Providing elder Alaskans a home and community,
celebrating life through its final breath.
Locations: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan,
Palmer, Sitka
Staff: 425 Full Time Positions
Capacity: 560 residents
Program Improvement:
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Services
Online Waitlist and Enrollment
Mr. Lasley reported that up to 50 percent of residents had
a dementia diagnosis with up to approximately 75 to 85
percent of residents showing signs of the disease. The
division took a positive approach to care by ensuring staff
understood the needs of those living with Alzheimer's and
how to best serve the resident. Approximately 36 staff had
training in the positive approach and would train all staff
across the division. He noted the Dementia Specialty
Apprenticeship Program in conjunction with the Department
of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD), that trained 84
Certified Nursing Assistants over the prior 7 years. The
program was voluntary and with completion of the program
the DNA's received a one-step pay increase, which increased
retention.
Co-Chair Foster announced that Representative Hannan joined
the meeting.
Mr. Lasley added that the department was working on
interacting with elders and families by offering electronic
applications to streamline the process.
2:04:31 PM
Representative Cronk asked what number of people needed
care in the state. Mr. Lasley responded that currently 6
thousand individuals were on the wait list. He furthered
that the system worked in two ways: a 60 year old person
could submit a placeholder application and when ready to
move in, the person "activated" the application and if an
offer was made had 30 days to move in. There were over 286
individuals on the activated wait list, with the need
continuing to grow. Representative Cronk wondered what the
total number of Alaskans in need of elder residential care
was. He voiced that it was a big issue for the state.
Commissioner Kovol answered that other residential
institutions in the state were able to screen out residents
that needed a higher level of care, which increased PH
residents with a higher intense need of care. She pointed
out that the PHs accepted all Alaskans regardless of their
level of care.
Representative Cronk asked if the department was working
with private elder care residential entities to help build
more care residences. Ms. Sweet replied that DCFC worked
with all partners but warned that they were private
agencies. She asserted that the PHs were in competition
with them for staff. The department had heard stories from
PH elders about forming strong bonds and relationships with
staff and the department wanted to share their stories with
the public.
2:09:45 PM
Ms. Sweet continued on slide 11 titled "Alaska Pioneer
Homes (AKPH) Operating Budget Comparison FY2023-FY2025
AKPH Significant Budget Items:
Pharmacy Collections FY 2024 SDPR (Statutory
Designated Program Receipts) Supplemental
$1,000.0 (Other)
Pharmacy Collections FY 2025 SDPR Increment
- $500.0 (Other)
Ms. Sweet explained that SDPR was collected through the
pharmacy program in the PHs. Higher collections were
necessary due to higher utilization and increased
pharmaceutical costs. The second item was related to Inter
Agency (IA) receipts and SDPR via Medicaid claims and an
RSA with the Division of Juvenile Justice who provided
juvenile pharmacy needs through the PH. She noted that the
majority of the UGF was for the Payment Assistance Program
and a small balance was used to provide operations. The DGF
represented collections from residents' insurance and
private pay and some federal reimbursement for the veterans
in the Palmer Pioneer Home. She noted that the only other
budget items were for salary adjustments.
Representative Cronk asked what the average monthly cost
was for residents of PHs. Mr. Lasley responded that the
costs vary widely among 5 levels of care. He elucidated
that the lowest level of care was level one costing $3
thousand per month. The highest level of care cost $15
thousand per month.
Mr. Lasley continued on slide 12 titled "Alaska Psychiatric
Institute
Providing compassionate health care to support
Alaskans in living their best possible lives.
Capacity and Staff:
5 inpatient units, 80 licensed beds
10 jail-based spots, 10 community spots
325 Full Time Positions
Program Improvement:
Community and Jail Based Restoration Programs (FY 2024
$800.)
Beacon Award- Alaska Hospital and Healthcare
Association
Mr. Lasley cited the prior challenges at API that was at
the risk of closure with only 20 patients. He reported on
the improvements made and noted that 73 was the current
average number of patients. He elaborated that the purpose
of the Jail Based Restoration Programs assisted individuals
with a mental health disease that had been accused of a
felony prepare for their defense by moving them from prison
to API for restoration services. The Community and Jail
Based Restoration Programs improvement doubled the jail
capacity and created a ten seat outpatient restoration
program for those with a misdemeanor conviction.
2:16:10 PM
Representative Josephson cited a prior study commissioned
by DHSS researched by Agnew Beck that showed the amount
needed to build out the jail based facility was $2 million
for new construction. He wondered how the improvements were
being accomplished for $800 thousand. Mr. Lasley responded
that it required significant work and collaborations with
the Department of Corrections (DOC). He shared that a
consultant was hired, and a mod was identified in the
correctional facility; it was accomplished for $800
thousand without additional capital expenditures.
Representative Josephson reported that he had a bill [HB
80 (Incompetency; Civil Commitment)] that would necessitate
more screening, which would result in more commitment
issues filed. He asked how the expanded program's resources
would hold up under the bill's scenario. Mr. Lasley
responded that he would need to wait to see if the bill was
adopted to determine an answer. However, for both programs
they were contemplating on how to expand the services. He
was confident that the departments could find ways to
expand services.
2:20:13 PM
Representative Coulombe asked about the vacancy rates and
recruitment at API. Mr. Lasley answered that the department
was doing well as far as vacancies except for nursing
positions and psychiatrists and psychologists. The
psychiatrists' positions were currently filled. He
mentioned that the department utilized the SHARP Program
that offered education repayments for API staff. He hoped
to expand the program. Representative Coulombe indicated
that she was able to visit API and was impressed with the
progress made. She asked if the number of beds were limited
by personnel or physical structure. Mr. Lasley responded
that it was due to physical structure.
Commissioner Kovol interjected that the department was
engaged in student practicum placements from medical fields
with 35 participants; the bulk located at API. She hoped to
hire all 35 participants.
2:23:30 PM
Mr. Lasley cited the Beacon Award and elaborated that API
created the Denali Unit for patients with comorbidities
that resulted in a 62 percent reduction in patient on staff
assaults.
Ms. Sweet turned to slide 13 titled "Alaska Psychiatric
Institute (API) Operating Budget Comparison FY 2023-FY
2025
API Significant Budget Items:
Establish Alaska Psychiatric Institute as a Division
FY2025 UGF Increment
$200.0 (GFMH) to support SHARP program
Ms. Sweet discussed the two significant budget changes in
the API budget for FY 25. The department was seeking
approval to move API back into its own division once again.
Ms. Sweet referred to the SHARP program and reported that
the request was to fill in the remaining psychiatrist and
psychologist positions. She indicated that the other
category was comprised of technical salary adjustments, IA,
and SDPR that was collected from insurance collection and
private pay.
2:27:53 PM
Mr. Lasley continued on slide 14 titled "Division of
Juvenile Justice
Mission:
• Hold juvenile offenders accountable for their
behavior.
• Promote the safety and restoration of victims and
communities.
• Assist offenders and their families in developing
skills to prevent crime.
Shannon Dilley, Director
Facilities / Offices / Staff:
• 6 Facilities / 13 Probation Offices / 424 Full
Time Positions
Program Improvement:
• Traumatic Brain Injury Project
• Community Engagement
Mr. Lasley voiced that the Division of Juvenile Justice
(DJJ) operated via a restorative justice model. He
elaborated that evidence showed 40 percent of juveniles in
the system had brain injuries. In collaboration with
Southeast Regional Resource Center and the Division of
Public Health (DPH) the project screened and identified
youths with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) entering the
juvenile justice system that ensured they received the
needed referrals for treatment. The program launched in
Fairbanks and would expand in the next year. He furthered
that the division was always looking for new ways for
community engagement for its youth utilizing other services
in state government. One successful program allowed youth
to participate in activities in the PH. He listed the
program's benefits and the types of activities the youth
engaged in.
Co-Chair Foster asked which DJJ facilities recently closed.
Mr. Lasley answered that the Nome and Ketchikan facilities
were closed. Co-Chair Foster pointed out that the
facilities were being utilized at the time of closure but
were used less than other facilities. The communities they
served felt the loss in their communities. He wanted to
explore the possibility of opening them again.
2:32:59 PM
Representative Stapp reported that he had toured a DJJ
facility. He referred to the TBI program and asked if there
was correlative data on the types of events that caused the
injury. He expressed alarm at the number of youths with
TBIs.
Mr. Lasley deferred the answer to a colleague.
2:34:26 PM
SHANNON DILLEY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), replied that the state's
data tracked national data and she shared his concern over
the high number. She did not have the data regarding how
the injuries occurred.
Representative Hannan asked what the average population was
in DJJ facilities. Mr. Lasley responded that there were
currently 141 youth in the facilities with a staffing and
bed capacity of 172. Representative Hannan asked whether
part of the screening identified Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(FAS) and other significant mental illnesses and the number
of juveniles with the conditions. Mr. Lasley deferred to
Ms. Dilley to respond.
Ms. Dilley responded that JDD provided a number of clinical
assessments that were diagnosed by the mental health team.
In addition, the division conducted a comprehensive trauma
screening tool to access child trauma.
Representative Hannan believed that the juveniles should be
as close to home as possible to enable repairing and
restoring family and community relationship. She felt that
creating efficiencies by closing facilities and
"warehousing our youth far away form home" did not work for
juvenile justice.
2:38:43 PM
Co-Chair Foster supported Representative Hannan's statement
and added that the Nome facility also served youth from
other parts of Western Alaska. He believed the youth needed
family nearby.
Representative Coulombe had discussions with CDVSA and the
Alaska Mental Health Trust (AMHTA)) and surmised that the
high rates of brain traumas resulted from high rates of
domestic violence. She was wondering why the division's UGF
was so high and lacked a significant amount of federal
money. Ms. Sweet answered that the department had expanded
its efforts in seeking federal grants and recently received
one for girls in the juvenile justice system. However, the
grants were from the federal Department of Justice and the
grant pool was small. Representative Coulombe asked if
historically the grants were not awarded to the state or if
there was a lack of grant funding to apply for. Ms. Sweet
replied that she was unaware of the division's grant award
history and offered to provide the information.
2:42:10 PM
Mr. Lasley added that the majority of services at the
division were not federally eligible, and the majority of
services were largely the state's responsibility.
Representative Coulombe asked whether the AMHTA supported
the TBI program. Ms. Sweet answered in the affirmative, and
added it was through a $100 thousand behavioral health
grant to help with behavioral health within the facilities.
2:43:23 PM
Ms. Sweet continued on slide 15 titled "Division of
Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Operating Budget Comparison FY 2023-
FY 2025.) She indicated that there were no significant
budget changes, and the increase was specific to salary
adjustments. The majority of funding was UGF, and the other
category was strictly interagency receipts.
Co-Chair Foster pointed to the FY authorized budget of $58
million UGF depicted on the graph, but the actuals came in
roughly $1 million less. He wondered why. Ms. Sweet noted
there had been significant position shortages across all
departments with the division suffering a more severe loss
in the prior year.
Mr. Lasley continued on slide 16 titled "Office of
Childrens Services
Mission:
Ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of
children by strengthening families, engaging
communities, and partnering with Tribes.
Offices and Staff:
• 5 regions with 21 offices statewide
• 610 Full Time Positions
Program Improvement:
• Tribal Compact Expansion
• Placement Search and Support Unit
Mr. Lasley elaborated that the numbers of children had
reduced to 2.6 thousand down from 3 thousand. He referred
to the Tribal Child Welfare Compact and explained that the
compact expansion transitioned OCS services to its tribal
partners and was able to expand the number of tribes that
had entered the contract; currently representing 170 tribes
across the state. He furthered that over the last couple
years the tribal compact funding increased to $5 million
with the majority of funding expended for prevention. The
tribes were engaged in prevention efforts. He acknowledged
that the tribes could best serve their children in their
communities.
2:48:54 PM
Representative Galvin shared that a dollar spent in the
early part of a child's life was equated to $8 to $12 in
return. She asked what the tribal organizations were doing
and whether the ideas were generated from them. She also
inquired what non-tribal prevention efforts OCS was engaged
in. Mr. Lasley responded that the compact relationship was
one of government to government. The negotiation for the
terms of prevention efforts did not have any parameters so
the tribes could do what worked best for their members. He
deferred further answer to a colleague.
2:51:43 PM
KIM GUAY, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CHILDREN SERVICES, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), replied that the office had been
working on broadening prevention. She elaborated that the
tribal program focused on primary prevention and secondary
prevention; community wellness and individual wellness
aimed at how to prevent foster care. She reiterated that
the tribes had many different ideas on how best to serve
their population. She furthered discussed other
preventative efforts that included family resource centers,
respite care, Parents as Teachers, among other things. She
offered to provide a complete list.
2:54:48 PM
Representative Josephson recalled that OCS had experienced
very high turnover for social workers. There was an effort
in subcommittee to pay retention bonuses. He asked if it
had actually happened.
Mr. Lasley answered that retention bonuses for OCS was
though the governor's People First Initiative. He added
that the bonuses were paid. Representative Josephson
inquired if the bonuses were successful. Mr. Lasley
deferred the answer to the director.
Ms. Guay responded that there was some reduction in
turnover and some positive stabilization trends in
retention of front line workers. However, she related that
it was not sufficient, retention improved from a high of 56
percent during the pandemic to 46 percent currently.
Representative Josephson recounted that a new clinician
position was created. He asked whether the position still
existed and if it had been helpful. Ms. Guay answered that
it had been filled and was very successful. She furthered
that the position was the Wellness and Resiliency Officer
who engaged in critical incident debriefings with staff
working with children, office wellness assessments, and
focused on how the division could keep the staff healthy.
She added that the division, in collaboration with the
Department of Health, implemented a "Reflective
Supervision" model called "Facilitated Attunement, which
was well received by the staff.
2:58:41 PM
Representative Coulombe asked for information about the $1
million increment [on slide 17 titled "Office of Children's
Services (OCS) Operating Budget Comparison FY 2023-FY
2025." Legal Services $1 million GF] for legal services.
Commissioner Kovol replied that the funding was for the A
Better Childhood (ABC) lawsuit [Jeremiah M. v. Crum]. The
department filed a motion one year ago and the motion was
denied. The case was in the discovery phase and the
calendar was accelerated. She anticipated the court date to
happen in 2025.
Mr. Lasley continued that the final item on slide 16 was
the Placement Search and Support Unit. He elucidated that
it was a new unit designed to support resource families
with all aspects of caring for the child. He added that the
department only provided a snapshot of their improvements
and services.
3:02:13 PM
Representative Tomaszewski asked about the PHs. He
referenced the private senior home Timber Creek and asked
whether the state was encouraging or hindering private
sector care and what the interaction was between the state
and the private sector. Commissioner Kovol clarified that
the competition she previously referred to was for
workforce. She clarified that she was not in a business
competition. The division focused on best practices and who
was working with the elders. She apologized for any
confusion. All care homes were all striving to hire the
same type of care professionals. Representative Tomaszewski
asked if there were other private industries stepping
forward to provide the care and if the state interacted
with Timber Creek. Commissioner Kovol deferred the question
to the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
Representative Tomaszewski cited the Legislative Audit
Report from November 21, 2023 [A Special Review of the
Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS), Office
of Children's Services Compliance with Foster Care Reform
Laws, Part 2, Audit Control Number 26-30096-24] and noted
that there were six recommendations for OCS. He pointed to
one that cited OCS for 3 at risk child placements due to
OCS staff not following proper background check procedures.
He asked if the background check process had been
reinforced and if the staff received more training.
Commissioner Kovol responded in the affirmative.
3:06:34 PM
Representative Cronk asked that if there were enough
private sector senior homes would the state eventually shut
PHs down. Mr. Lasley answered that even with the 8 or 9
large new facilities that had opened the PH waitlist
numbers had recently increased because private homes were
selective in the type of care it provided. The Pioneer Home
system provided elder Alaskans security regardless of
ability to pay. He shared that when there were new
facilities interested in opening, the division helped
support and encourage the facilities via training or
information. Representative Cronk appreciated the PH
services and system.
3:10:12 PM
Ms. Sweet discussed slide 17 and addressed significant
budget item that increased the Foster Care Base Rate. She
delineated that in 2013 the department contracted out help
in developing a methodology to appropriately determine a
daily rate for foster care that included the average cost
of living in the country, and a cost of living multiplier
for Alaska. She noted that the cost of living in Alaska was
significantly higher than it is in other states. The
department currently shifted to using the cost of living
for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Urban West Region versus the entire country. It allowed
DCFS to appropriately align the base rate to the cost of
living in Alaska. The increase amounted to $1.4 million in
federal funds and $3.6 million UGF. She reiterated that the
$1 million GF increase in legal services was in support of
the lawsuit. She continued that OCS UGF was comprised of
GF, GF Mental Health, and GF match. The other category was
made up entirely of interagency receipts (IA) and OCS was
subject to the technical salary increases.
3:13:09 PM
Representative Hannan asked how long it had been since the
foster care base rate had been adjusted. Ms. Sweet replied
that it had last been adjusted in 2018. Representative
Hannan shared that she had heard that many foster care
families had been lost for a variety of reasons. She
wondered whether the state would be able to meet the demand
for foster care families with the rate increase.
Commissioner Kovol responded that the department felt that
the increase would sustain current foster families and
possibly attract new resource families. She noted that
there were not many children in custodial care in
institutions.
3:14:40 PM
Representative Coulombe appreciated the work of the
commissioner. She thanked them for their honesty and owning
their challenges. She asked for a status update of the five
year Mental Health Trust plan. Commissioner Kovol answered
that that plan was in its final stages and some changes
were made since the prior plan. She indicated that the
working group redid the entire plan. She anticipated that
the plan would be presented within the next few months.
Co-Chair Foster invited any final comments.
Commissioner Kovol acknowledged DFCS's challenges and
thanked the committee for the opportunity to share the
progress the department made in addressing them.
3:17:14 PM
HB 268 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 270 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Foster reviewed the agenda for the following day.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DFCS HFIN- FY2025 Budget Presentation (2-7-24)- Final.pdf |
HFIN 2/7/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 268 HB 268, HB 270 HB 270 |