ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  JOINT MEETING  HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES  STANDING COMMITTEE  SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES  STANDING COMMITTEE  February 23, 2004 12:27 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT  HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair Representative Carl Gatto, Vice Chair Representative John Coghill Representative Kelly Wolf Representative Sharon Cissna Representative Mary Kapsner SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES (No Senate members present) MEMBERS ABSENT  HOUSE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES Representative Paul Seaton SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES Senator Fred Dyson, Chair Senator Lyda Green, Vice Chair Senator Gary Wilken Senator Bettye Davis Senator Gretchen Guess OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT Representative Nancy Dahlstrom Representative Bob Lynn Representative Jim Holm Representative Bruce Weyhrauch Senator Scott Ogan Senator Ralph Seekins COMMITTEE CALENDAR  ^FAITH-BASED & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES (FBCI) TASK FORCE TAPES  04-13, SIDE(S) A [HOUSE HES TAPE] SUMMARY OF INFORMATION  CHAIR PEGGY WILSON convened the joint meeting of the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee and the Senate Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee at 12:27 p.m. Present at the call to order from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee were Representatives Wilson, Gatto, Coghill, Wolf, and Kapsner. Representatives Dahlstrom, Lynn, Holm, and Weyhrauch; Senators Ogan and Seekins were also in attendance. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LOREN LEMAN gave the opening remarks about the Faith Based Initiative Program. SCOTT MERRINER, Chair, Faith Based Initiative Program (FBCI), discussed aspects and characteristics of the Faith Based Task Force. Mr. Merriner stated the task force's mission statement: To enhance Alaska's health and social service capabilities by expanding the contribution of faith- based and community initiatives.   MR. MERRINER described what the task force would need to do to accomplish its mission. He stated that the task force has agreed on four main measures; they are as follows:   1. Develop and help launch innovative ideas for increasing the contribution of faith-based and community initiatives.   2. Foster partnerships between and among government agencies and faith-based and community organizations.   3. Identify and work to eliminate barriers that hinder faith-based and community initiatives.   4. Promote the expansion of volunteerism and highlight outstanding examples of neighbors helping neighbors. ROBERT BUTTCANE, Programs/Administration, Division of Juvenile Justice, Department of Health and Social Services, informed the joint committee of the three main subject areas in which the Faith Based Task Force will work. Those areas are: housing, personalized care and services, and relational support. Mr. Buttcane explained further how the task force could help people in those areas.   MR. BUTTCANE went on to inform the joint-committee of a resolution passed by the task force and adopted January 28, 2004.   MR. MERRINER told the committee what the task force will deliver for the people of Alaska and said that he would answer any questions posed by the committee. ANNOUNCEMENTS  There were no announcements. COMMITTEE ACTION  The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committees, the joint meeting of the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee and the Senate Health, Education And Social Services Standing Committee was adjourned at 12:53 p.m. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.