02/02/2010 03:00 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Children's Justice Task Force Report | |
| HB89 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 2, 2010
3:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Bob Herron, Co-Chair
Representative Wes Keller, Co-Chair
Representative Tammie Wilson, Vice Chair
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Lindsey Holmes
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Bettye Davis, Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Joe Thomas
Senator Fred Dyson
MEMBERS ABSENT
SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE
Senator Joe Paskvan
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Senator Linda Menard
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CHILDREN'S JUSTICE TASK FORCE REPORT
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 89
"An Act repealing the governor's committee on employment of
people with disabilities; creating the state vocational
rehabilitation committee and relating to the committee; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 101
"An Act relating to questionnaires and surveys administered in
the public schools."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 89
SHORT TITLE: VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COMMITTEE
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/28/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/28/09 (H) L&C, HSS, FIN
04/08/09 (H) L&C AT 3:15 PM BARNES 124
04/08/09 (H) Moved CSHB 89(L&C) Out of Committee
04/08/09 (H) MINUTE(L&C)
04/10/09 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 3DP 1AM
04/10/09 (H) DP: BUCH, CHENAULT, OLSON
04/10/09 (H) AM: COGHILL
02/02/10 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 106
WITNESS REGISTER
DR. CATHY BALDWIN-JOHNSON, Chair
Children's Justice Act Task Force (CJATF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint overview of the
Alaska Children's Justice Act Task Force.
PAM KARALUNAS, Statewide Coordinator
Alaska Children's Alliance
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint and answered
questions about child maltreatment.
JARED PARRISH
Section of Women, Children & Family Health
Division of Public Assistance
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint and testified during
the presentation about child maltreatment.
PAULA SCAVERA, Special Assistant
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about HB 89.
CHERYL WALSH, Director
Statewide Programs
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions about HB
89.
JOHN CANNON
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 89.
PAMELA STRATTON, Director
Client Assistance Program
Governor's Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People
With Disabilities
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 89.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:09:05 PM
CO-CHAIR WES KELLER called the joint meeting of the House and
Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committees to order
at 3:09 p.m. Representatives Keller, Herron, T. Wilson, Holmes,
Seaton, Lynn, and Senators Dyson and Ellis were present at the
call to order. Representative Cissna and Senators Davis and
Thomas arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^Children's Justice Task Force Report
Children's Justice Task Force Report
3:09:43 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER announced that the first order of business would
be a presentation from the Children's Justice Act Task Force.
3:11:15 PM
DR. CATHY BALDWIN-JOHNSON, Chair, Children's Justice Act Task
Force (CJATF), introduced the other task force members who were
present.
3:11:49 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER turned the gavel over to Chair Davis.
3:12:05 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON began her PowerPoint presentation, and
shared that the Children's Justice Act Task Force (CJATF) was
founded in 1999, was federally funded, and was mandated to
evaluate the response systems for allegations of child
maltreatment. She shared that in addition to evaluations, the
group made recommendations for system improvement, and undertook
a number of projects. She pointed out the membership list, with
its contact information. [Included in the committee packets.]
She reported that there would be updates on the programs, and
that the staff would offer recommendations for the upcoming
year.
3:13:40 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON summarized the "Pathway To Hope" initiative,
which was an Alaska Native initiative in response to the high
rate of child sexual abuse in rural Alaska. She explained that
the CJATF had provided funding for the inaugural training in
2008, and since then, more than 200 community facilitators had
been trained. She shared that there were ongoing requests for
training, which would be maintained for as long as there was
funding. She noted that there were ongoing monthly
teleconferences, a conference in Kodiak, "Honoring Our
Children," during 2009, and additional trainings were planned
for the upcoming year.
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON remarked on her next slide listing projects
for 2009, and talked about the training CD for teaching mandated
reporters. She noted the teaching curriculum which accompanied
the CD. She discussed the scholarships awarded for
professionals dealing with child maltreatment, a multi-
disciplinary best practices guideline handbook, and a statewide
child forensic interviewing form.
3:16:49 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON pointed to the slide on "Forensic
Interviewing Forum," and relayed the challenges of talking with
kids about difficult things. She described the challenge to
ensure that child interviewers had the training to protect the
child and to get the best information. She spoke about the
challenges of diversity, geography, and a lack of resources.
She relayed a recommendation for the essential components in
both basic and advanced forensic training, as well as the need
for a basic field protocol. She explained that the Child
Advocacy Centers (CACs) were based on a national model for
bringing together all the personnel involved with evaluating
allegations of child maltreatment to one location.
3:18:41 PM
PAM KARALUNAS, Statewide Coordinator, Alaska Children's
Alliance, presented a PowerPoint titled "Alaska Children's
Alliance Update on CACs." [Included in the committee packets.]
She pointed to slide 2, titled "Alaska Children's Alliance," and
shared the mission statement "to promote a culturally
appropriate multidisciplinary response to child maltreatment
throughout Alaska."
MS. KARALUNAS called attention to slide 3, "ACA-State Chapter of
National Children's Alliance," and shared that the national
organization did a number of important things, which included
setting minimum standards for Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) and
providing limited funding, support, training, and research for
the state chapter.
3:19:46 PM
MS. KARALUNAS introduced slide 4, "Alaska Children's Alliance
provides:" and explained that the state chapter offered
technical assistance and support to the CACs, the
multidisciplinary teams, the child protection teams, and state
and local organizations. She stated that it also represented
the state on both a regional and national level, provided
limited funding to the CACs, collected data, and coordinated
statewide protocols.
3:20:51 PM
MS. KARALUNAS presented slide 5, "Alaskan Child Advocacy
Centers," and listed the nine CACs in the state.
3:21:20 PM
MS. KARALUNAS indicated slide 6, "Child Advocacy Centers
provide:" and said that the CACs were "a child and family
friendly environment..."
3:21:58 PM
MS. KARALUNAS commented on slide 7, "Specialized Forensic
Interview," and described the training and interview rooms,
which allowed one person to interview while the rest of the team
monitored.
3:22:36 PM
MS. KARALUNAS explained that the medical exam for children was
different than those for adults, slide 8, "Specialized, Non-
Traumatic Medical Exam."
3:23:05 PM
MS. KARALUNAS described the significance of mental health
services, slide 9, "Collaboration with mental health services
for earlier response to referrals."
3:23:34 PM
MS. KARALUNAS said that culturally competent care was essential
to make children and families feel comfortable, as shown on
slide 10, "Identification of risks and assessment of needs of
child and family and referrals to address those issues."
3:23:53 PM
MS. KARALUNAS explained slide 11, "On-going support and follow
up for family throughout the system process and beyond," and
shared that the support and belief by the caregiver was key to
the long term outcome for the child.
3:24:22 PM
MS. KARALUNAS pointed to slide 12, "Case Tracking/Data
Collection," and explained the data collection system which
provides information to funding sources, communities, and the
state.
3:25:04 PM
MS. KARALUNAS evaluated the pie graph on slide 13, "Gender of
children seen at Alaska CACs in FY09," and noted that 30 percent
were boys. She moved on to slide 14, "Ages...", and pointed out
that 22 percent were 13-18 years of age, 37 percent were 7-12
years, and 41 percent were 0-6 years. She showed slide 15, "CAC
Research" and spoke about the research on the significant
benefits of CACs and the value of the model.
3:26:37 PM
MS. KARALUNAS shared that the nine CACs served 209 communities,
and that 12,773 children had received services since FY05, as
shown on slide 16, "Numbers of children seen."
3:27:11 PM
JARED PARRISH, Section of Women, Children & Family Health,
Division of Public Assistance, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), said that he would give a "broad brushstroke"
of fatal maltreatment that was occurring in Alaska. He
introduced the Alaska Surveillance of Child Abuse and Neglect
(SCAN) program.
3:27:45 PM
MR. PARRISH revealed slide 2, "Why Is Public Health Involved
With Child Maltreatment (CM)," and slide 3, "Public Health
Surveillance" and explained that CM was a serious public health
concern with extensive short and long term health issues, which
included drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, teen age pregnancy,
and obesity. He said that no single agency had jurisdictional
responsibility over CM. He explained that his department sought
to bring all the information together, and to apply a
standardized definition. He pointed out that this allowed a
measurement, over time, of the true magnitude and impact to
society, and an ability to identify high risk populations.
3:30:36 PM
MR. PARRISH referred to slide 4, "Baby Albert," and gave the
history to his death. He described the differing conclusions of
various official agency reviews to cause of death.
3:31:36 PM
MR. PARRISH moved on to slide 5, "Heather," and slide 6, "Death
Certificate," and described the accidents, and the corresponding
official conclusions to cause of death.
3:32:30 PM
MR. PARRISH pointed to slide 7, "Detecting Maltreatment Related
Infant Death," and reflected on the difference of conclusion to
cause of death between the death certificate and the infant
mortality child death review. He noted that neglect was not
included in the vital statistics from death certificates, and
when all the definitions used in the SCAN program were applied,
the death designation disparity was even higher. Of the 133 CM
cases identified as preventable, 35 percent were abuse, and 65
percent were neglect. He pointed out that this was
statistically in line with other states. He examined the Native
and non-Native population statistics, and directed attention to
a higher infant mortality due to CM within the Native community.
He compared the per capita statistics which showed the Native
Alaskan community to have four times the risk of a CM death.
3:35:10 PM
MR. PARRISH summarized slide 8, "Who Is At Risk," and shared
that identifying sub populations and fiscal resources allowed
interventions to be targeted for those most in need. He
explained that maltreatment included abuse, neglect, and gross
negligence. He moved on to slide 9, "Distribution of
Maltreatment Death Among Children," and identified 135
maltreatment related deaths. He said that 40 percent were abuse
related and 63 percent were due to neglect. He pointed to the
fivefold increase for risk that Native Alaskans have a neglect
related maltreatment death compared to non-Natives. He pointed
out that 95 percent of these deaths were due to a lack of age
appropriate supervision. He affirmed that education could
reduce this risk.
3:38:15 PM
MR. PARRISH described slide 10, "Regional Comparison Of Fatal
CM-Related Infant Deaths." He compared Anchorage to the rural
regions in the state, and pointed out the 50 percent increase of
risk for CM related infant death in rural areas. He compared
the CM infant death rate of Anchorage to the Interior and stated
that there was not a significant difference.
3:39:22 PM
MR. PARRISH indicated slide 11, "Anchorage v. Southwest" and
slide 12, "Anchorage v. Gulf Coast," and said that there was not
a significant difference in CM infant death rates. He commented
that there was a more significant increase for risk.
3:40:04 PM
MR. PARRISH pointed to slide 13, "Southeast v. Anchorage," and
said that there was not a significant difference in CM infant
death rates.
3:40:23 PM
MR. PARRISH directed attention to slide 14, "Northern v.
Anchorage," and expressed that there was nearly three times the
CM infant death rate in the Northern regions.
3:40:44 PM
MR. PARRISH summarized the take home points of the data:
there are independent associated factors that uniquely
differ between Alaska Native and non-Native
populations, [and] the implications of this is that we
can correctly target public health prevention programs
directed at evidence based high risk populations, so
we can be fiscally responsible with the resources that
are given to us, and measure impact with what we're
doing with those resources.
MR. PARRISH continued and said:
Alaska Native infants do have higher maltreatment-
related mortality rates relative to non-Natives for
all years examined. However, neglect related deaths
account for much of this disparity. So, if we focus
on the neglect related deaths we will have the largest
impact on reducing maltreatment related deaths, and
this is most suited for public health intervention,
because we can do risk reduction strategies which are
relatively cheap and community empowerment can take
place.
MR. PARRISH shared that:
where relative to Anchorage/Mat-Su region, the rural
regions have significantly higher infant CM related
rates. There is a strong need for innovative CM
prevention programs in rural Alaska. The programs
that currently exist for prevention really aren't
suited well for the geography and the rural Alaska
regions. We need to be innovative and think of some
new approaches to this issue.
3:42:11 PM
MR. PARRISH addressed slide 15, "Why SCAN Is Critical To Public
Health Child Maltreatment Prevention," and reiterated that the
application of data to prevent CM in high risk populations is an
effective use of resources. He called attention to the ability
to measure impact over time, and provide evaluative support. He
emphasized that it will reduce the burden of CM on servicing
agencies.
3:43:45 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON presented a PowerPoint and she shared that
the current administration supported initiatives to address
sexual assault and domestic violence in Alaska. She detailed
some of the points in the initiative to include a public
education campaign and improvement to the process for
investigation and prosecution.
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON observed a need for more and better data.
She stressed the need to recognize that child victims needed to
be handled differently. She pointed out the inconsistencies
within the system, from initial response to sentencing, and the
statewide need of a training curriculum for forensic
interviewing of children, and a child friendly forensic evidence
kit.
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON called attention to slides 4 - 9, which
depicted various age children who were victims of child assault,
and she detailed the sentencing meted out for each incident.
3:51:01 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON referred to an Anchorage Daily News article
about an Anchorage man, who had beaten his dog with a rifle.
She pointed out that the sentencing for this animal cruelty was
longer than the sentencing for the child maltreatment. She
described the gaps in the current assault laws, which did not
differentiate between children and adults.
3:52:54 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON analyzed slide 12, "What Do We Need To Do…"
and announced that the time was right for changes, and that
children needed a voice as they were not able to speak for
themselves. She requested funding for new and existing Child
Advocacy Centers (CACs), the Child First forensic training
program and curriculum in Alaska, and development of a child
forensic evidence kit.
3:54:58 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON briefed the committee on slide 13,
"Statutes: How You Can Help" and asked for: the requirement to
use CACs wherever possible to include law enforcement; the
clarification of the medical peer review confidentially process;
and the evaluation of separate statutes for assault and crimes
against children.
3:55:46 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON closed her PowerPoint with slide 14, "What
the Task Force will do" and explained that the Task Force would
complete its Best Practice guidelines for multi-disciplinary
teams, sponsor the Alaska Child Maltreatment conference, assist
in the development of the child forensic evidence kit, and offer
its services as a resource.
3:57:10 PM
SENATOR DYSON opined that the task force was "on track," and he
asked if they had the legal researchers to prepare the proposed
changes in statute.
3:58:02 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON replied that they did not. She shared that
the task force had looked at models, but that they needed
assistance.
3:58:19 PM
SENATOR DYSON offered his belief that the current administration
was sympathetic, and asked if the task force had contacted
either the Department of Law (DOL) or the "governor's team."
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON replied "not yet."
3:58:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked about the rationale to the court
sentencing, and asked for suggestions to change in statute.
3:59:25 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON, in response to Representative Lynn, opined
the need for changes in the law and for more judicial education
to the long term consequences of CM. She allowed that children
could be very challenging witnesses, which made the cases more
difficult to prosecute.
4:00:32 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON asked for examples of the inconsistent
application of AS 47.17.033.
MS. KARALUNAS replied that it had been interpreted that only the
Office of Children's Services (OCS) use the CACs. She noted
that law enforcement could make a decision not to use the CACs,
which could result in improper interview techniques.
4:03:04 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON reflected on the need for prevention and
treatment.
4:03:59 PM
SENATOR THOMAS mused on the inequities of the sentences, and
opined that legislation as well as the governor's initiative
would be necessary.
4:06:40 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON replied that CACs were a proven, effective
means of service and support in Alaska.
4:07:38 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER clarified that operating money was available in
this year's budget, and Dr. Baldwin-Johnson agreed.
4:08:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON opined that the State Troopers had more
difficulty with finding CACs due to the remote access of rural
communities. He asked if the task force had spoken with the
Department of Public Safety (DPS).
4:10:27 PM
DR. BALDWIN-JOHNSON said that they had conversations with DPS,
but not the commissioner. She stated that she understood the
difficulties which faced the State Troopers.
4:11:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON shared his concern that prior to a child's
examination, a determination to remove the child had to be made.
He suggested that a meeting with the DPS commissioner would be a
more effective route for solution.
4:12:51 PM
CHAIR DAVIS returned the gavel to CO-CHAIR KELLER.
4:13:18 PM
There being no further business before the committees, the joint
meeting of the House and Senate Health and Social Services
Standing Committees meeting was adjourned at 4:13 p.m.
The committee took an at-ease from 4:13 to 4:20 pm.
4:20:42 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER brought the House Health and Social Services
Standing Committee back to order at 4:20 p.m. Representatives
Keller, Herron, Seaton, T. Wilson, and Lynn were present at the
call to order. Representatives Holmes and Cissna arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
4:21:06 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER announced that SB 101 would not be heard.
HB 89-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COMMITTEE
4:21:30 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 89, "An Act repealing the governor's committee
on employment of people with disabilities; creating the state
vocational rehabilitation committee and relating to the
committee; and providing for an effective date."
[Before the committee was CSHB 89 (L&C).]
4:22:28 PM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to adopt CSHB 89 (L&C) as the work draft.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
4:23:09 PM
PAULA SCAVERA, Special Assistant, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), said that HB
89 would bring compliance with federal law.
4:23:18 PM
CHERYL WALSH, Director, Statewide Programs, Division Of
Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DLWD), explained that the state vocational
rehabilitation committee would function as the state
rehabilitation council and the assistive technology advisory
committee, both of which were required by federal law. She
explained that the bill also addressed the appointment, the
number, the term, and the composition of the committee members.
She shared that the committee members acted as the voice for the
stakeholders in the public rehabilitation program. She relayed
that the primary purpose of the bill was to bring the current
statutes into compliance with federal law.
4:27:05 PM
MS. WALSH opined that the committee would provide an external
point of view to assess the needs of Alaskans with disabilities,
survey customer satisfaction and allow for public comment,
review and make recommendations for the policies and procedures,
develop the state rehabilitation plan, and keep the program
consumer focused.
4:28:35 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER asked about the concern with tying this to
federal regulation.
4:29:27 PM
MS. WALSH, in response to Co-Chair Keller, said that the role of
the committee was very specific to oversight of the public
program and the assistive technology program.
4:29:56 PM
MS. SCAVERA noted that, when it was introduced three years ago,
the language had been changed at the request of the legislature
to include "as prescribed by the [federal regulations]."
4:30:42 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER commented that the federal regulations specified
the board composition, and he asked if this was too restrictive.
4:31:41 PM
MS. WALSH said that it allowed business, labor, and industry.
4:32:23 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER shared his experience with a tour of a
rehabilitation center in Minnesota.
4:33:08 PM
MS. SCAVERA noted that DLWD had a broad interpretation for
business, to include all sizes.
4:33:45 PM
JOHN CANNON shared that he served on the Governor's Committee on
Employment and Rehabilitation of People With Disabilities. He
noted that he had worked in the disabilities field in Alaska
since 1981. He spoke in support of HB 89. He explained that a
purpose of the committee was to maximize employment for Alaskans
with disabilities. He emphasized that there was not a fiscal
note attached to the bill. He pointed out that the proposed
name change would reduce any confusion with a separate
governor's council of similar name. He shared that the
Committee had reviewed and discussed HB 89 and were unanimously
in support.
4:38:07 PM
PAMELA STRATTON, Director, Client Assistance Program, Governor's
Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People With
Disabilities, offered her support of HB 89, in order to be in
compliance with federal regulation.
4:40:01 PM
CO-CHAIR KELLER announced that HB 89 was going to be held over.
4:41:10 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Health and Social Services Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 4:41 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| CJTF.PDF |
HHSS 2/2/2010 3:00:00 PM |
|
| hb89pkt.PDF |
HHSS 2/2/2010 3:00:00 PM |
HB 89 |