Legislature(2025 - 2026)BUTROVICH 205

04/10/2025 03:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

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Audio Topic
03:31:28 PM Start
03:32:22 PM SJR16
03:42:05 PM Presentation(s): Citizen's Review Panel
04:08:21 PM Presentation(s): Office of Children's Services Response to Fy 2024 Citizen Review Panel Report
04:31:50 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ SJR 16 FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
Presentation: Citizen's Review Panel
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:
+= SB 45 MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH PARITY TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
      SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                    
                         April 10, 2025                                                                                         
                           3:31 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Chair                                                                                                   
Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair                                                                                               
Senator Matt Claman                                                                                                             
Senator Shelley Hughes                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Löki Tobin                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16                                                                                                  
Urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting                                                                  
Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that                                                                  
guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PRESENTATION(S): CITIZEN'S REVIEW PANEL                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PRESENTATION(S): OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES RESPONSE TO FY                                                                   
2024 CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL REPORT                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 45                                                                                                              
"An  Act relating  to medical  assistance  services; relating  to                                                               
parity in  mental health and  substance use disorder  coverage in                                                               
the  state  medical  assistance program;  and  providing  for  an                                                               
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SJR 16                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT                                                                                
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
04/02/25       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/02/25       (S)       HSS                                                                                                    
04/10/25       (S)       HSS AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District G                                                                                           
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SJR 16.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
EMILY BRUBAKER, representing self                                                                                               
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SJR 16.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
RETCHENDA GEORGE-BETTISWOTH, Chair                                                                                              
Citizen Review Panel                                                                                                            
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered the presentation Citizen's Review                                                                 
Panel.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
KIM GUAY, Director                                                                                                              
Office of Children's Services (OCS)                                                                                             
Alaska Department of Family and Community Services                                                                              
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered the Office of Children's Services                                                                 
Response to the FY 2024 Citizen Review Panel Report.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
KIM KOVOL, Commissioner                                                                                                         
Alaska Department of Family and Community Services                                                                              
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments on the Citizen Review                                                                   
Panel presentation.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:31:28 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  TOBIN  called  the  Senate   Health  and  Social  Services                                                               
Standing Committee meeting  to order at 3:31 p.m.  Present at the                                                               
call to  order were Senators  Giessel, Hughes, Claman,  and Chair                                                               
Dunbar.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
            SJR 16-FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:32:22 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR   announced  the  consideration  of   SENATE  JOINT                                                               
RESOLUTION NO. 16  Urging the United States Congress  to pass the                                                               
Ensuring  Lasting Smiles  Act; and  urging lawmakers  to advocate                                                               
for   policies  that   guarantee   equitable   access  to   vital                                                               
healthcare.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:32:45 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, District  G, Alaska State Legislature,                                                               
Juneau,   Alaska,  sponsor   of  SJR   16.  She   introduced  the                                                               
resolution, Ensuring Lasting Smiles  Act, which urges Congress to                                                               
require private  health insurance coverage for  the diagnosis and                                                               
treatment  of congenital  anomalies and  birth defects.  She said                                                               
coverage  would include  medically necessary  services and  items                                                               
that  improve,  repair,  or restore  normal  bodily  function  or                                                               
appearance, as  determined by the treating  physician, with cost-                                                               
sharing and  coverage limits no  more restrictive than  those for                                                               
other  medical and  surgical benefits.  She stated  that although                                                               
rare,   Hypohidrotic    Ectodermal   Dysplasia    (HED)   affects                                                               
approximately 1  in 20,000 newborns worldwide  and nearly 200,000                                                               
individuals in  the United States. Treatment  often requires both                                                               
medical  and dental  care, yet  many  medically necessary  dental                                                               
services   are  inadequately   covered,  placing   a  significant                                                               
financial  burden   on  families.   She  said  by   passing  this                                                               
resolution,  the Alaska  Legislature  would  stand with  families                                                               
affected   by  congenital   conditions   and   urge  the   Alaska                                                               
congressional delegation to  champion this legislation, affirming                                                               
that access to essential medical and  dental care is a right, not                                                               
a privilege.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:35:12 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES  asked  whether  Medicaid  covers  these  medical                                                               
services.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:35:51 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied that she wasn't sure.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:36:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR asked Ms. Brubaker  to answer the question and offer                                                               
testimony.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:36:16 PM                                                                                                                    
EMILY BRUBAKER,  representing self, Anchorage,  Alaska, testified                                                               
by  invitation on  SJR 16.  She answered  that Medicaid  does not                                                               
cover  the   specific  medical   services  for   rare  congenital                                                               
anomalies. She  said these  services are  viewed as  cosmetic and                                                               
unnecessary.  She continued  with her  testimony stating  that at                                                               
the age  of two she was  diagnosed with a genetic  condition that                                                               
affects teeth, hair and skin.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:37:17 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:37:26 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:37:43 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  BRUBAKER  stated  that  she  will  require  numerous  dental                                                               
procedures, with  estimated out-of-pocket costs  of approximately                                                               
$100,000.  The Ensuring  Lasting  Smiles Act  (ELSA) would  amend                                                               
federal  law  to  require private  insurers  to  cover  medically                                                               
necessary  procedures   for  individuals  with   rare  congenital                                                               
anomalies, significantly reducing this  burden. She said that she                                                               
has  actively advocated  for ELSA  since childhood,  traveling to                                                               
Washington,  D.C.  multiple  times  and  engaging  with  Alaska's                                                               
congressional delegation.  The legislation passed the  U.S. House                                                               
with a  bipartisan supermajority  in the  117th Congress  and did                                                               
not advance in the Senate.  She said she hopes for reintroduction                                                               
in the 119th  Congress. She said with growing  national and local                                                               
support,  including the  Anchorage  Assembly, ELSA  would have  a                                                               
profound impact on families across Alaska and the nation.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:40:20 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  thanked  the  committee  for  hearing  the                                                               
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:40:38 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR held SJR 16 in committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:40:44 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
^PRESENTATION(S): CITIZEN'S REVIEW PANEL                                                                                        
            PRESENTATION(S): CITIZEN'S REVIEW PANEL                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
3:42:05 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting  and announced a presentation                                                               
Citizen's Review Panel  of the State of Alaska,  presented by Dr.                                                               
Retchenda George-Bettisworth.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:43:24 PM                                                                                                                    
RETCHENDA   GEORGE-BETTISWOTH,  Chair,   Citizen  Review   Panel,                                                               
Anchorage,  Alaska,  offered  the presentation  Citizen's  Review                                                               
Panel. She  said she is in  her fifth year on  the Citizen Review                                                               
Panel and  her second year  as chair.  She currently serves  as a                                                               
faculty member  in the Social  Work Department at  the University                                                               
of Alaska Fairbanks.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:44:16 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved to slide 2, Purpose, and read the                                                                   
following:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     PURPOSE                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Congress created  Citizen Review Panels (CRPs)  as part                                                                    
     of  the  Child  Abuse   Prevention  and  Treatment  Act                                                                    
     (CAPTA)  to  help  child  protection  systems  be  more                                                                    
     responsive to community needs.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     A CRP is a mechanism  for public participation in child                                                                    
     protection. It should  facilitate robust and meaningful                                                                    
     participation  by citizens  to  promote  a healthy  and                                                                    
     collaborative child protection system                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:44:46 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved to slide 3, Mandates, and read the                                                                  
following:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     MANDATES                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Federal  Mandate  42   U.S.C.§  5106a.(c)  Examine  the                                                                  
     policies, procedures, and practices  of state and local                                                                    
     child protection  agencies and  evaluate the  extent to                                                                    
     which  these  agencies  are  effectively  carrying  out                                                                    
     their   child   protection  responsibilities.   Conduct                                                                    
     public outreach  both to assess  the impact  of current                                                                    
     policies and procedures, and  to solicit public comment                                                                    
     on the panel's recommendations.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     State  Mandate  AS  47.14.205  The  state  Panel  shall                                                                  
     evaluate  the   extent  to  which  the   department  is                                                                    
     effectively   carrying   out   its   child   protection                                                                    
     responsibilities under (1) the  state plan submitted to                                                                    
     the  United  States  Department  of  Health  and  Human                                                                    
     Services   under   42   U.S.C.  5106a(b);   (2)   child                                                                    
     protection standards under federal  and state laws; and                                                                    
     (3)  any  other  criteria   that  the  Panel  considers                                                                    
     important to ensuring the protection of children                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:45:37 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  moved to  slide 4, Principal  Functions of                                                               
the CRP, and discussed the following:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                              
     EVALUATION                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                              
     The  Panel will  evaluate OCS  compliance with  federal                                                                    
     and state  laws, examining policies and  procedures for                                                                    
     consistent statewide  implementation while  still being                                                                    
     responsive to the diversity of needs across the state                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     PUBLIC OUTREACH                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     The Panel  will identify and implement  means to gather                                                                    
     feedback  on procedures  and  practices for  delivering                                                                    
     child  protection  services  in  Alaska.  As  specified                                                                    
     above, the information thus  collected will be utilized                                                                    
     in its evaluation function.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     ADVOCACY                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     The  Panel will  conduct  appropriate  actions to  help                                                                    
     improve Alaska's child protection services system.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  said  CRP  does not  lobby;  it  educates                                                               
others about its activities and priorities as a state board.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:46:40 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved  to slide 5, Annual Report  FY 24 OCS                                                               
Recruitment  Practices,  and  stated   that  the  Citizen  Review                                                               
Panel's  fiscal  year  begins  July  1.  The  panel  sets  annual                                                               
priorities, meets  monthly, and  issues recommendations  each May                                                               
in  an  annual  report,  to  which OCS  must  provide  a  written                                                               
response.  She  said  that  the 20232024   report  focused  on  a                                                               
healthy  CPS  system,   particularly  workforce  recruitment  and                                                               
retention.  While   OCS's  new  centralized  hiring   system  has                                                               
improved  efficiency,  staffing   challenges  remain.  The  panel                                                               
recommends greater flexibility in  HR policies, a more attractive                                                               
hiring process, and expanded flexible work options within OCS.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:49:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved  to  slide 6,  Annual  Report FY  24                                                               
Prevention Efforts,  and stated that the  CRP examined prevention                                                               
by reviewing  OCS policies and  data related to  intake screening                                                               
and  referrals  to  support  services.  She  said  child  welfare                                                               
reports are assessed and either  screened in for investigation or                                                               
screened  out if  they  do not  meet  criteria; nationally,  74.3                                                               
percent  of  screened-in  cases   involve  neglect,  often  after                                                               
multiple  reports. She  stated  that the  panel  focused on  what                                                               
occurs after reports are screened  out and identified barriers to                                                               
connecting  families with  prevention services.  The panel  found                                                               
that  greater  collaboration   with  community  organizations  is                                                               
needed and recommended learning  from other states, strengthening                                                               
partnerships, and  improving review of screened-out  case data to                                                               
better connect families to supports.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:51:14 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved  to  slide 7,  Two  Phase Work  Plan                                                               
Cycle, and  stated that  the panel has  adopted a  new structured                                                               
two-year  work plan,  updated annually,  to prioritize  key focus                                                               
areas for  improving child welfare  services in Alaska.  She said                                                               
each priority is addressed through a two-phase work plan cycle.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:51:38 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  moved  to  slide  8,  and  discussed  the                                                               
following:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Phase one: Education and Knowledge Building                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     -Focus Area Selection: The cycle  begins with the Panel                                                                    
     selecting key  focus areas that will  guide its efforts                                                                    
     over the next two years.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     -Expert  Engagement:   The  Panel   identifies  subject                                                                    
     matter  experts in  the focus  areas and  requests data                                                                    
     and presentations.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     -Knowledge  Development: The  Panel  dedicates time  to                                                                    
     in-depth discussions and  expert consultations specific                                                                    
     to each focus area.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     -Synthesis and Planning: As  each focus area progresses                                                                    
     through Phase  1, the Panel reviews  the information to                                                                    
     inform planning for Phase 2.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Phase two: Action and Implementation.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     -Translate   Knowledge:    This   phase    focuses   on                                                                    
     translating  knowledge into  actionable strategies  and                                                                    
     initiatives  to address  identified  issues within  the                                                                    
     focus areas.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:52:42 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH moved to slide  9, CRP Current Focus Areas,                                                               
and stated  that the  Panel's current  focus areas  are mandatory                                                               
reporting  and out-of-home  placements.  Mandatory reporting  has                                                               
been  a cornerstone  of child  abuse and  neglect prevention  for                                                               
decades and  is particularly significant  in Alaska,  where rates                                                               
are among  the highest  per capita.  She said  in phase  one, the                                                               
Panel has  worked with OCS  to review data on  reporting volumes,                                                               
outcomes,  compliance,  and  training  for  mandatory  reporters,                                                               
while engaging experts and the  public to identify challenges and                                                               
improvements. In  Phase two, the Panel  is exploring screened-out                                                               
reports, resource allocation,  and expanded community involvement                                                               
in  reporting. She  stated  that  out-of-home placements  involve                                                               
temporary care for children who  cannot safely remain at home and                                                               
include  kinship  care,  therapeutic  homes,  foster  homes,  and                                                               
residential  services. She  stated  that the  Panel will  analyze                                                               
data on placement stability,  timeliness, and long-term outcomes;                                                               
collaborate  with OCS  and providers  to assess  placement types;                                                               
identify system  strengths and gaps;  and emphasize  cultural and                                                               
community connections. She  said phase two focuses  on action and                                                               
implementation.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:56:00 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  moved to slide 10,  Recommendations for FY                                                               
25, and read the following:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     In  spring  2025,  the  Panel will  develop  a  set  of                                                                    
     recommendations based on findings  from its focus areas                                                                    
     to be included  in an annual report.  This will include                                                                    
     actionable steps for the  Office of Children's Services                                                                    
     (OCS) to consider, such as:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     -Enhancing  the mandatory  reporting process  to ensure                                                                    
     timely,  accurate   reporting  and  effective   use  of                                                                    
     resources.                                                                                                                 
     -Advocating  for  ongoing  training and  education  for                                                                    
     mandatory reporters and caregivers                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  said  the Panel  will  continue  engaging                                                               
experts  in subject  matter to  develop  recommendations for  its                                                               
annual  report. She  said improving  the  well-being of  Alaska's                                                               
children  and  child  welfare  workforce  requires  collaboration                                                               
beyond OCS and a shared statewide effort.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:56:56 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GIESSEL  referred to slide  9 on mandatory  reporting and                                                               
asked  how  much the  Panel  interacts  with the  child  advocacy                                                               
centers.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  replied that  the Panel does  not directly                                                               
interact with the child advocacy centers.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:57:50 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GIESSEL asked  what impact  the CRP  anticipates if  the                                                               
child advocacy centers were too close.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  replied that  if  the  centers closed  it                                                               
would be a major setback to the child welfare system.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:59:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GIESSEL  asked  whether   CRP  discussed  or  considered                                                               
whether  the  child  advocacy  centers  (CACs)  would  be  better                                                               
positioned under the Department of  Public Safety rather than the                                                               
Department of Family and Community Services.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  replied that  the  CRP  has not  had  any                                                               
discussion regarding what department CACs should belong to.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:00:41 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GIESSEL suggested the panel  give more attention to CACs,                                                               
hence  discussion  about ongoing  funding  that  would result  in                                                               
closure.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:00:55 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES  stated that  there is  concern about  a potential                                                               
sudden loss  of federal funding  for child advocacy  centers. She                                                               
also asked  whether the panel is  aware of the ROCK  (Raising Our                                                               
Children  with  Kindness)  program in  the  PalmerWasilla   area,                                                               
which  supported families  with screened-out  reports to  prevent                                                               
system involvement. She asked whether  the program was considered                                                               
successful,  remained ongoing,  and  whether  the Citizen  Review                                                               
Panel has considered recommending replication of that model.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:02:08 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  replied that The Citizen  Review Panel may                                                               
recommend replicating best-practice  models statewide, however it                                                               
does not  evaluate or review  individual programs. She  said that                                                               
she   is   professionally   familiar   with   the   ROCK   Mat-Su                                                               
organization.  She values  the organization's  work; however  she                                                               
cannot speak to how the  Citizen Review Panel (CPR) would address                                                               
this specific situation.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:03:00 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES noted  that  ROCK Mat-Su  partners  with OCS  and                                                               
suggested it  may fall within  the panel's purview  for potential                                                               
recommendations.  She   asked  whether   the  review   panel  has                                                               
considered alternatives to removing  children from homes, such as                                                               
temporarily removing parents and  placing a relative or caretaker                                                               
in the home to minimize disruption to the child's life.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:04:11 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH  answered that  removing a parent  from the                                                               
home has  not been discussed  as a  panel. She stated  her belief                                                               
that OCS  does not  have the  ability to remove  a parent  from a                                                               
home they may  own. She agreed that less disruption  in a child's                                                               
life is best.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:04:59 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR HUGHES stated that removing  the parent from a home would                                                               
take statutory changes and would be a sensible approach.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:05:14 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR  reflected  on constituent  complaints  about  OCS,                                                               
noting  that while  improvements  may be  possible,  the work  is                                                               
often inherently  difficult. He  asked whether the  panel reviews                                                               
comparative  data  from  other  states  and  how  Alaska's  child                                                               
welfare system  is performing  relative to  others, based  on the                                                               
panel's perspective and annual reports.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:06:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GEORGE-BETTISWOTH replied that the  panel has not conducted a                                                               
formal  comparison of  Alaska's child  welfare system  with other                                                               
states, noting  that while all  states operate under  CAPTA, each                                                               
implements  it  differently. She  said  based  on national  child                                                               
welfare  data,  Alaska  appears  generally  comparable  to  other                                                               
states, though it  screens out a higher percentage  of cases than                                                               
the national  average. The panel  does not conclude that  any one                                                               
state  performs child  protection significantly  better or  worse                                                               
than Alaska.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:08:05 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
^PRESENTATION(S): OFFICE  OF CHILDREN'S  SERVICES RESPONSE  to FY                                                               
2024 CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL REPORT                                                                                                
 PRESENTATION(S): OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES RESPONSE to FY                                                              
                2024 CITIZEN REVIEW PANEL REPORT                                                                            
                                                                                                                              
4:08:21 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened  the meeting and announced  the Office of                                                               
Children's  Services Response  to  FY 2024  Citizen Review  Panel                                                               
Report.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:08:59 PM                                                                                                                    
KIM  GUAY,  Director,  Office   of  Children's  Services,  Alaska                                                               
Department of  Family and Community Services,  Anchorage, Alaska,                                                               
offered  the Office  of Children's  Services Response  to the  FY                                                               
2024 Citizen Review Panel Report.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:09:34 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY  moved to slide  2, Recruitment, and referenced  the bar                                                               
graph.  She   stated  that  OCS  is   improving  recruitment  and                                                               
retention through a talent acquisition  team that has streamlined                                                               
hiring  and reduced  onboarding  time. She  said while  applicant                                                               
education  levels  have  shifted,   training  has  been  adjusted                                                               
accordingly.  Initial implementation  challenges  have eased.  To                                                               
retain  staff,   OCS  is  investing   in  paid   internships  and                                                               
professional   development,  including   partnerships  with   the                                                               
University of Alaska to support child welfare certification.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:11:48 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR referenced  prior data  showing very  short average                                                               
tenure  at OCS,  with a  small group  of long-term  employees and                                                               
high burnout rates compared to  other state departments. He asked                                                               
whether burnout remains high and  whether employee retention data                                                               
has improved.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:12:34 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  GUAY  replied  that  she   would  give  information  to  the                                                               
committee.  She  said   at  the  height  of   the  pandemic,  OCS                                                               
experienced  a  51  percent  turnover  rate  among  case-carrying                                                               
staff, which has since decreased  to around 37 percent. Anchorage                                                               
currently  has  a  45  percent  vacancy  rate  for  case-carrying                                                               
positions, with  statewide vacancies at  33 percent. She  said to                                                               
address  staffing shortages,  OCS has  centralized tasks  such as                                                               
placement searches and support for  foster families, however high                                                               
turnover and  difficulty filling positions continue  to challenge                                                               
service  delivery.   Many  workers  leave  quickly   due  to  the                                                               
demanding nature of the work.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:14:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  CLAMAN asked  for  clarification  regarding whether  the                                                               
previously mentioned  percentages referred  to turnover  rates or                                                               
vacancy rates.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:15:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY  replied that  both were  discussed. The  turnover rates                                                               
measure how  often case-carrying staff  leave and was  51 percent                                                               
at  the peak  of the  pandemic and  is now  37 percent.  She said                                                               
although vacancy  rates reflect current unfilled  positions, both                                                               
metrics are important to assess staffing challenges.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:15:41 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  CLAMAN  asked if  the  37  percent turnover  rate  among                                                               
frontline  staff refers  to annual  turnover,  meaning over  one-                                                               
third of staff leave within the first year on the job.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. GUAY answered that is correct.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:16:02 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR stated  that even  though  all agencies  eventually                                                               
experience full turnover, losing 3751   percent of staff within a                                                               
single year makes it extremely difficult to operate effectively.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  HUGHES  asked whether  reducing  caseloads  in the  past                                                               
helped lower  turnover and requested  information on  the history                                                               
and impact of that effort.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:16:43 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY  replied that House Bill  151, passed in 2018,  aimed to                                                               
reduce caseloads for  new OCS staff to allow  for proper training                                                               
and  onboarding. While  OCS  tries to  cap  caseloads during  the                                                               
first six months, high turnover  and staffing shortages make this                                                               
difficult.   She    said   caseloads   often    exceed   national                                                               
recommendations,   some  staff   carry   33   cases  versus   the                                                               
recommended  1213,    forcing  prioritization  to   ensure  child                                                               
safety.  Despite  these  challenges,  OCS strives  to  serve  all                                                               
families and children effectively.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:18:49 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES  noted that  House  Bill  151 created  additional                                                               
positions.  She asked  whether  filling  current vacancies  would                                                               
bring  caseloads   closer  to  the  national   average  and  more                                                               
manageable levels.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:19:08 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY  replied yes,  if all  vacancies were  filled, caseloads                                                               
would  be more  manageable at  1014  cases  per worker.  However,                                                               
challenges remain  because applicants are scarce,  staff turnover                                                               
is  high, and  low pay  and  job difficulty  contribute to  short                                                               
tenure.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:19:41 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY moved  to slide 3, Employee Wellness  and Retention, she                                                               
stated that OCS has focused  on staff retention using a framework                                                               
adapted  from  the  U.S.   Surgeon  General,  emphasizing  career                                                               
development,  emotional and  psychological  safety, and  critical                                                               
incident   debriefings   to   support  staff   facing   difficult                                                               
situations. She  said recent surveys show  a significant increase                                                               
in staff  feeling valued at  work, which  OCS hopes will  lead to                                                               
improved retention over time.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:21:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY  moved to slide  4, Workplace Communication,  and stated                                                               
that OCS  is improving  workplace communication  through fireside                                                               
chats,  a  monthly newsletter,  a  staff  advisory board,  and  a                                                               
supervisor  leadership council.  It  is  also prioritizing  staff                                                               
input and creating a supportive, valued work environment.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:21:37 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. GUAY moved to slide  5, Protective Services Reports (PSR) and                                                               
Policies, and  stated that OCS  receives about  21,000 protective                                                               
services  reports  annually,  with  31 percent  screened  in  for                                                               
investigation and  69 percent  screened out  for reasons  such as                                                               
jurisdiction.  She   said  reports  outside  the   household  are                                                               
referred to law enforcement or  other agencies. When appropriate,                                                               
reports on  Alaska Native families  are shared with  tribes under                                                               
confidentiality agreements to support family services.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:22:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR  referred to slide  5 and asked whether  Alaska's 31                                                               
percent screened-in  and 69 percent screened-out  rate is typical                                                               
compared  to  other  states  and whether  Alaska  screens  in  or                                                               
screens out cases at a higher rate than the national average.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GUAY replied  that Alaska  screens out  slightly more  cases                                                               
than the  national average. She  said differences in  state laws,                                                               
such  as the  number of  mandated  reporters required  to file  a                                                               
report, affect these rates and the volume of calls received.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:24:24 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR asked how much  a typical salary for a case-carrying                                                               
employee is.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. GUAY replied that starting salary is $25.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR DUNBAR asked what the  requirements are for the entry level                                                               
position.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS.  GUAY  replied  that OCS  uses  competency-based  hiring  for                                                               
protective service  specialists, focusing  on key skills  such as                                                               
communication  and critical  thinking.  Candidates are  evaluated                                                               
through  interviews and  reference checks  instead of  relying on                                                               
minimum  qualifications like  a bachelor's  degree or  prior case                                                               
management experience.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:25:52 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR  stated at $25 an  hour, or roughly $52,000  a year,                                                               
protective  service salaries  in  Anchorage  are insufficient  to                                                               
afford  housing. He  said this  makes  recruitment and  retention                                                               
extremely difficult, especially without a pension.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MS. GUAY  said staff surveys  indicate pay and  job opportunities                                                               
affect retention, with higher turnover  in Anchorage due to other                                                               
employment options. In Western Alaska,  housing and lack of local                                                               
hires are challenges,  leading OCS to implement  a week-on, week-                                                               
off rotation for staff flying in to work.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:27:24 PM                                                                                                                    
KIM  KOVOL,   Commissioner,  Alaska  Department  of   Family  and                                                               
Community Services,  Anchorage, Alaska, provided comments  on the                                                               
Citizen  Review Panel  presentation.  She stated  that OCS  staff                                                               
work hard  and are committed  to supporting families,  while also                                                               
improving  customer   service  and  ensuring  access   to  needed                                                               
services. Recruitment  and hiring have been  strengthened through                                                               
the   talent  acquisition   team,  resulting   in  better   staff                                                               
stabilization, with legislative support aiding these efforts.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:28:42 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR asked  about the potential impact  on child advocacy                                                               
centers if  federal funding is  lost and whether the  state could                                                               
continue supporting  them, including the consequences  of closure                                                               
or reduced services.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:29:17 PM                                                                                                                    
COMMISSIONER KOVOL  responded that  OCS is exploring  options for                                                               
child  advocacy centers  (CACs),  including  whether they  should                                                               
move  to  DPS  or  remain with  DFCS,  while  seeking  additional                                                               
federal funding and reviewing practices  in other states. Despite                                                               
bureaucratic   challenges  and   new  priorities,   CACs  provide                                                               
specialized  services and  training for  both custodial  and non-                                                               
custodial  families,  ensuring  support  even  for  families  not                                                               
involved with OCS.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:30:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  HUGHES asked  for  examples of  CAC  clients who  aren't                                                               
coming from OCS.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  KOVOL  replied  if  a child's  situation  does  not                                                               
involve the family,  the case is referred to  law enforcement, as                                                               
OCS's authority only covers familial cases.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:31:50 PM                                                                                                                    
There being  no further  business to  come before  the committee,                                                               
Chair  Dunbar adjourned  the Senate  Health  and Social  Services                                                               
Standing Committee meeting at 4:31 p.m.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SHSS CRP Presentation 4.10.25.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
Citizen's Review Panel Demonstration 4.10.25
2024-2025-Alaska-CRP-Citizen-Review-Panel-Work-Plan.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
Citizen's Review Panel Presentation 4.10.25
2023-2024-Alaska-CRP-Annual-Report.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
Citizen's Review Panel Presentation 4.10.25
SJR 16 Sponsor Statement.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
SJR 16
SJR16 Support Letter - Dr. Johnson.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
SJR 16
SJR 16 Version A 4.2.25.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM
SJR 16
OCS-CRP Response 4.10.25.pdf SHSS 4/10/2025 3:30:00 PM