FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2003
Department Reorganizes to Improve Service to Alaskans
New Office of Children’s Services, new Division of Behavioral Health, new Division of Senior and Disability Services, among others
Printer Friendly Copy (PDF, 230 kb)
Effective today, the state’s largest department will have four new divisions and two new offices, said Joel Gilbertson, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Social Services. The reorganization of the department, the largest in its 84-year history, will improve efficiency and the delivery of services to Alaskans.
“We did this to give Alaskans better customer service,” said Gilbertson. “At the same time, we’re reducing the draw on State funds by working more efficiently, and by bringing in more federal dollars to pay for our health and social services.” Bringing in new federal dollars to replace state dollars —called refinancing— will save the state $19.8 million; new federal Medicaid funds from Pres. Bush’s tax relief act will bring in $22.1 million, and the alcohol tax and other revenues will bring in $13.4 million. Altogether, the Department has landed $55.3 million in new revenues so that there will be minimal impact on eligibility or services to Alaskans, he added.
The new Office of Children’s Services, headed by a deputy commissioner, will house all services and programs for children. The Office of Children’s Services includes all child protection, foster care, and adoption services formerly in the Division of Family & Youth Services; the Women, Infants and Children program, the Infant Learning Program and the Healthy Families Alaska program all previously located in the Division of Public Health; and all functions relating to financing the Behavioral Rehabilitation Services Program previously in the Division of Medical Assistance. In addition, it includes the Childcare Assistance Program formerly in the Department of Education and Early Development.
The new Division of Behavioral Health integrates functions of two former divisions, the Divisions of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, and Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities.
“We are acknowledging something that our grantees already knew--that the person receiving alcohol and drug abuse services and the person receiving mental health services is often the same individual,” said Gilbertson. “Over 70 percent of those receiving substance abuse services in this state have a mental illness. Many states and local organizations have already combined these programs, and it is a very sensible way to better serve our clients.”
The new Division of Health Care Services is focused on the individual health care needs of Alaskans. The Division includes a number of functions formerly in the Divisions of Medical Assistance and Public Health. The Division of Health Care Services ensures that individuals receive quality personal health care services from providers who are paid by the department.
The new Division of Senior & Disabilities Services provides a full range of care for Alaska seniors and disabled Alaskans in one agency. The new Division includes the Division of Senior Services formerly in the Alaska Department of Administration and several other functions from other Divisions. “Alaska’s seniors have been asking for a single point of entry,” said Gilbertson. “We are both pleased and proud to be able to respond directly to their request.”
The new organizational structure takes effect today, the start of Fiscal Year 2004, which runs July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004.
“We look forward to continuing our work of providing quality care for Alaskans with our partners and through our new organizational structure,” Gilbertson said.
Click here to view the department’s organizational chart (PDF)
--30--
For more information, please contact
Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611Or
Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611
Follow Alaska_DHSS on Twitter
Connect with us on Facebook