SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE February 13, 1995 9:07 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyda Green, Chairman Senator Loren Leman, Vice-Chairman Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Judy Salo MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Mike Miller COMMITTEE CALENDAR The Professional Teaching Practices Commission Appointees: William McCain P.O. Box 873042 Wasilla, Alaska 99687 Mary Lou Madden, PH.D. 801 Lincoln Street Sitka, Alaska 99835 Brian Carter 613 Pleasure Drive North Pole, Alaska 99705 Christine Niemi 801 West Tenth Street Suite 200 Juneau, Alaska 99801 Department of Health and Social Services Designee: Karen Perdue, Commissioner Designee Anchorage, Alaska ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 95-4, SIDE A Number 003 CHAIRMAN GREEN called the Senate Health, Education and Social Services (HESS) Committee to order at 9:07 a.m. She informed the committee that the first order of business was to review the qualifications of appointees to The Professional Teaching Practices Commission (PTPC). SENATOR SALO asked when Mr. McCain was first appointed to the PTPC. WILLIAM McCAIN, a renewal to this commission, said that this would be his third year. He was initially appointed in October of 1992. In response to Senator Salo, Mr. McCain noted that he was an elementary physical education teacher at Chugiak Elementary. SENATOR ELLIS inquired as to the location of a transmittal letter from the Governor for these appointments. CHAIRMAN GREEN did not know of a transmittal letter. SENATOR ELLIS asked if the names before the committee were submitted by Governor Knowles. CHAIRMAN GREEN stated that the names were submitted in July of 1994. She agreed with Senator Ellis that Mr. McCain was suggested by the previous governor. SENATOR LEMAN said that there must be a transmittal letter somewhere because the committee was referred these names after being read across the Senate floor. He agreed that the transmittal would be from Governor Hickel based on when Mr. McCain was appointed. SENATOR SALO inquired as to Mr. McCain's function as a member of the commission. WILLIAM McCAIN felt that his duties were rewarding and interesting. The commission allows for various areas to collaborate on decisions of cases ranging from child abuse to contract disputes. WILLIAM McCAIN appreciated the opportunity to be a part of this commission and pointed out that the commission is staying within their budget. Number 094 CHAIRMAN GREEN moved to forward Mr. McCain to the legislature for consideration as an appointee to PTPC. SENATOR SALO objected and expressed concern that there was no transmittal letter from either the present or the previous governor which is normally part of the packet for confirmations. SENATOR SALO removed her objection. MARY LOU MADDEN, a new appointee located in Sitka at Sheldon Jackson was introduced as the next appointee open to discussion. SENATOR SALO asked if Ms. Madden had been in Juneau before she had moved to Sitka. MARY LOU MADDEN stated that she has been in Sitka for the past six months. Previous to that, Ms. Madden said she had worked mainly with the Department of Education in Juneau for twenty-two years as well as working for Governors Cowper and Hickel in the Office of Budget and Policy. MARY LOU MADDEN spoke to the need for the institution of education to monitor itself regarding ethics. She felt that her experiences in the system would allow insight into the commission. SENATOR LEMAN extended his best to Ms. Madden. Number 154 CHAIRMAN GREEN recommended without objection that Ms. Madden be forwarded to the legislature for consideration. She introduced BRIAN CARTER as the next appointee up for review. SENATOR SALO asked if Mr Carter was a new appointment or a reappointment. BRIAN CARTER said that he was a reappointment to the commission as of the fall of 1992. In response to Senator Salo, BRIAN CARTER explained that he had worked as an elementary physical education teacher in the Fairbanks, Northstar Bourough for the past thirteen years. Currently, Mr. Carter is working in an interim position as principal while the regular principal is receiving special training. SENATOR SALO asked if Mr. Carter was being designated for an administrative position on PTPC. BRIAN CARTER clarified that he was designated for a teacher position on PTPC. BRIAN CARTER noted that there are approximately 30,000 active teaching certificates in Alaska with 8,000 teachers. He supported the work of the commission. Number 194 Without objection, CHAIRMAN GREEN moved to forward Mr. Carter to the legislature for consideration. She introduced CHRISTINE NIEMI as the next appointee before the committee for consideration. SENATOR LEMAN asked if Ms. Niemi could give a brief summary of her background. CHAIRMAN GREEN noted that Ms. Niemi was a reappointment. CHRISTINE NIEMI informed the committee that she has worked at the Department of Education since 1982. Currently, she is working in the Administrative Services Division working in teacher certification. Previous to that she worked in the Educational Support Division in the area of Special Education. She noted that she was appointed to PTPC in December of 1993 to fill a term that someone else could not fill. She informed the committee that she was the departmental representative. SENATOR SALO asked if Ms. Niemi felt that the commission dealt more with certification issues in terms of initial certification since PTPC has assumed more duties dealing with policy issues of certification. CHRISTINE NIEMI explained that there can always be improvements to initial applications. Changes are made as the need arises; they attempt to make the applications more user friendly. SENATOR SALO commented on the case load of the PTPC who efficiently deals with complaints about professionals in the field. The PTPC is important due to its responsibilities regarding initial certification as well as pulling certificates. CHRISTINE NIEMI agreed that policing the profession is an important task of PTPC. In response to Chairman Green, CHRISTINE NIEMI said that two certificates were pulled at the last commission meeting. She noted that she had only served on the commission for a year. SENATOR SALO clarified that often there are more than 100 cases pending. Most cases do not result in decertification, but the investigation is done. CHRISTINE NIEMI pointed out that some cases are a complaint of an individual in the profession and may not necessitate decertification. Without objection, CHAIRMAN GREEN moved to foward Ms. Niemi to the legislature for consideration. Chairman Green thanked all the PTPC appointees and introduced KAREN PERDUE, Designee for the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services. Number 280 KAREN PERDUE, a life long Alaskan, said that in the past ten years she has worked as a manager for Health and Social Services. She specified that in the last four years she has worked with local and state agencies. She felt that her work in the community and the private sector had helped her bring energy to this position. SENATOR LEMAN noted the presence of Elmer Lindstrom in the audience. Senator Leman inquired as to Ms. Perdue's thoughts on making welfare reform work in Alaska. He also asked Ms. Perdue where she thought the Division of Public Assistance would be and who would be the new division director. KAREN PERDUE stated that the Governor has made welfare reform an important issue for her. She explained that she had reviewed the caseload in the department as well as trying to discern the problem that the division wants to solve. She also said that she would be watching the changes in Congress. Ms. Perdue maintained that the welfare caseload has increased due to the addition of the two parent family in 1988. She stated that the department will focus on two parent families because both of the parents are able-bodied. One parent should be involved with education, work or training. She indicated the intent of the department: to help able-bodied persons to work and not get trapped in the welfare system, to assure that absent parents support their children, to make the system between the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) and Child Support more efficient, and change the role of the welfare worker. She informed the committee that the department had chosen Jim Nordlund as the Director of DPA. Number 344 CHAIRMAN GREEN asked for Ms. Perdue's assurance that the suggestions for a liaison and the elimination of the interdepartmental trap for clients would be utilized. KAREN PERDUE clarified that Chairman Green was referring to Child Support Enforcement. There is discussion to better coordinate the services of DPA and Child Support Enforcement. CHAIRMAN GREEN inquired as to whom in the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) would follow the federal welfare and Medicaid changes. KAREN PERDUE explained that an interdepartmental group would be formed to review all the changes together. CHAIRMAN GREEN said that she foresaw some difficult choices to be made in DHSS. She suggested that Ms. Perdue and the department review their possible budget cuts and offer suggestions as to the direction of the cuts. KAREN PERDUE explained that her priority would be working with the Governor to establish priorities for the agencies as well as defending the Governor's budget. Ms. Perdue expressed the need to review the possibility of downsizing the agency while continuing to deliver the services. CHAIRMAN GREEN inquired as to the increase in their budget from 1990 to 1995. KAREN PERDUE informed the committee that the current budget is approximately $800 million with $400 million of that being federal money. Ms. Perdue said that the budget had probably doubled in that time period. Ms. Perdue noted that the majority of the growth had occurred in the Mental Health Trust and Entitlement areas. SENATOR LEMAN indicated that Senator Frank had given out copies of the federal government'S Bipartisan Commission on Entitlements and Tax Reform. Many of the aspects of that report would apply to Alaska. If the entitlement issue is not addressed, reductions in the overall cost will not happen. Senator Leman asked Ms. Perdue if she agreed and if she could outline the manner in which the entitlement issue could be dealt with. Number 413 KAREN PERDUE noted that she had not viewed that report, but she had been in discussions regarding the issue. The entitlements in the department agencies of the Division of Public Assistance and Medicaid account for 11 percent of the state's general fund. She felt that the Congressional Balanced Budget Amendment is critical in regards to federal participation. In the amendment's current form, federal participation would decrease by half by the year 2002. The basic tenets of these programs created in the 1930s and 1960s are being questioned. Federal debate of these issues is pivotal in regard to solutions for Alaska. Ms. Perdue informed the committee that 85,000 Alaskans currently use Medicaid as their health insurance. She expressed the need to review the desired role of Medicaid in Alaska. A 20 percent growth of the Medicaid system cannot be afforded; currently, Medicaid is at 12 percent growth. She indicated the need for the Long Range Fiscal Commission to review entitlements in Alaska and propose what the situation would be in the future. SENATOR LEMAN pointed out that the resolution Ms. Perdue was referring to had failed. He addressed the Division of Public Assistance's dispute over the significant growth in that division being attributed to new entrants to the state. The interviews of the division with these new entrants has led the division to believe that these persons have been encouraged to come to Alaska because of the benefits offered here. Senator Leman asked if Ms. Perdue felt that growth from new entrants is a significant part of the problem and if so how could this be dealt with. KAREN PERDUE expressed the need for the information system to capture data relating to the number of new entrants and their effect on the department's caseload. She noted that there are ways to give welfare recipients credit for being in work or training programs therefore, the system would be more equitable. Number 488 SENATOR LEMAN inquired as to Ms. Perdue's thoughts regarding the fate of Harborview. KAREN PERDUE stated that the disability community is ready to have a close out plan for every person in the Harborview institution. The decision of the disability community to place Harborview residents in the community over the next three years should be supported. If this plan is followed the population of Haborview would be decreased to approximately 38 persons by next year. She noted that there is a 16 bed nursing home for individuals that are difficult to place in private nursing homes. The department should review its position regarding nursing homes because they do not operate any besides the Pioneer's Home. Ms. Perdue pointed out that as the population of Harborview declines the expense to operate the facility increases; there is discussion about the Department of Corrections utilizing some of the facility's space. CHAIRMAN GREEN asked what the role of the department would be regarding the implementation and plan for the comprehensive Mental Health Program in light of the settlement. KAREN PERDUE said that she would need to research the issue more. She confirmed that the department would not be administering the Mental Health Trust, however, the department would work with the trust. SENATOR SALO explained that legislators are in an awkward situation when they receive complaints about the Division of Family and Youth Services (DFYS) yet they are not privy to confidential information of the case worker. Senator Salo suggested the need for DFYS to have an oversight board or some sort of rejuvenation. KAREN PERDUE stated that the moral of DFYS is low and they feel over burdened. She informed the committee that she had appointed Diane Woorhley as the Director of DFYS who seemed very qualified for this position. An oversight board could be a possibility. She recognized that an oversight board would create ownership, perhaps, improving community relations. SENATOR SALO said that she would like to discuss these issues with Ms. Perdue at a later time. SENATOR ELLIS asked Ms. Perdue to comment on the department's view of permanency planning and independent foster care review which would oversee social workers to ensure that children are not being abused by the system. KAREN PERDUE informed the committee of a pilot project in Anchorage. She noted that DFYS would be working with the Department of Administration to renew their commitment. SENATOR ELLIS urged Ms. Perdue to give attention to that issue. He emphasized that internal reviews by the department are not sufficient or what the law specifies. He noted that there would be legislation to extend the permanency planning issue for the state. From experience, an external, independent review is necessary to protect the best interests of the children. KAREN PERDUE felt that one of her charges was to improve the management of the agency and keep the agency operating no matter what it faces. She indicated that this year would require managing a lot of change at the federal level. TAPE 95-4, SIDE B Number 576 KAREN PERDUE said that the upcoming changes should be dealt with by both the department and state officials. She emphasized that the main priority of the agency would be to run efficiently while serving the Alaskan public. CHAIRMAN GREEN moved without objection to forward Ms. Perdue to the legislature for consideration. Chairman Green noted that the committee would be hearing SB 59, SB 58, SB 62, and SB 68 on Wednesday, February 15th. There being no further business before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.