July 25, 2002
STATE AWARDS GRANTS TO CONTINUE ANCHORAGE FAMILY PROGRAMS
DHSS Moves Quickly to Ensure No Break in Vital Services for Families in Need
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) today
announced the award of grants to three Anchorage organizations so
they can continue to assist families in need with programs once
provided by the Anchorage Center for Families (ACF). The Center
began shutting down its programs earlier this month in the face
of financial difficulties that could not be resolved. Recognizing
the vital services provided at ACF, DHSS immediately moved to ensure
a seamless transition to other providers.
"As the result of an expedited procurement process, I am pleased to announce the award of the Healthy Families Alaska program to Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults, Inc., the Family Preservation/Time Limited Family Reunification program to Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and home-based treatment and rehabilitation programs to Southcentral Counseling Center," Commissioner Jay Livey said.
"With one exception, we've reached agreements with grantees to provide all the vital services we formerly contracted with Anchorage Center for Families, with minimal disruption to the families we serve," he said. The Department is actively negotiating with another Anchorage organization to provide emergency residential care services for children ages 0-10 that come into state custody as a result of family crises and emergencies. DHSS expects to reach that agreement very soon.
Jean Kincaid, Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults Executive Director, said that she and her staff are very pleased to be the recipient of the grant. "We look forward to assisting with a seamless transition for the families that are currently being served by this well-established intensive home visitation program," she said.
Kincaid anticipates a rapid and smooth transition that will enable the staff to resume family home visits and service delivery. Mat-Su Services intends to run the Healthy Families Anchorage program out of the former Anchorage Center for Families' location. Healthy Families Anchorage will begin taking new referrals in the very near future.
"The new program that we are taking under our wing will really complement the existing services that we currently provide through our Family Services department," said Gloria O'Neill, President and CEO of Cook Inlet Tribal Council. "It's very important for us to look for opportunities to pool our resources and provide better services where we can. This program enables CITC to provide services to the broader community, and expand on the successes we've already had helping families in need."
Family Preservation services are designed to prevent removal of children from the family and to serve children who are in foster care for a short period of time (usually under six months) for whom family reunification is the plan. Time Limited Family Reunification is reunification of children who have been in foster care (usually) longer than six months.
"We are delighted that Southcentral Counseling Center (SCC) will provide continuity of care for our Home-Based Therapy clients," Walter Majoros, Director of the Division of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities said. Since 1991, the Division has provided community mental health treatment and rehabilitation for severely emotionally disturbed youth through the Anchorage Center for Families. The treatment provided in FY02 and FY03 has been home-based treatment and rehabilitation.
"We are pleased to be able to respond during a time of need to assure these high need families and individuals continue to receive the services they need," said Jeff Duncan, Southcentral Counseling Interim Executive Director. SCC is gearing up staffing, office space, and other logistics to assure a timely transition. In the interim, current and former ACF Home-Based Therapy clients can contact and access existing SCC Family Unit Services at 561-0954.
"DHSS divisions and staff moved as quickly as possible to secure these services for our clients, and I want to commend the procurement staff of our Administrative Services Division, as well as Division of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities, Public Health, and Family & Youth Services," Livey said. He also complimented the staff of Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults, Southcentral Counseling Center, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and Anchorage Center for Families for their resolve to assure the most professionally sensitive transition plan under the circumstances.
Other online information:
-30-
For more information, please contact
Ross Soboleff, Public Information Officer III
Department of Health and Social Services
(907) 465-1611
Follow Alaska_DHSS on Twitter
Connect with us on Facebook