Following a competitive procurement, Public Works, LLC was engaged to review DHSS’ organizational and administrative structure. This included evaluation of the organizational and administrative functions of all nine divisions of DHSS:

  • Alaska Pioneer Homes
  • Division of Behavioral Health
  • Division of Juvenile Justice
  • Division of Public Assistance
  • Division of Public Health
  • Division of Senior and Disabilities Services
  • Finance and Management Services
  • Health Care Services
  • Office of Children’s Services

Public Works was tasked with eight distinct review objectives spanning all facets of the Department’s organization and administration. Public Works conducted site visits, interviewed stakeholders and DHSS staff, and attended public hearings. Their report incorporates findings identified from the research, interviews, and observations of department operations and includes recommendations for addressing those findings.

Key findings and recommendations are summarized into the following categories:

Table of Potential Statutory and Regulatory Changes

The review highlights several areas where statutory or regulatory changes should be considered.
Recommendation NumberRecommendation
3.2.I.2Separate foster care licensing statutes and regulations from other residential care facilities. This will make it easier for foster care homes to become fully licensed and easier for relatives, in particular, to become licensed. Streamline and clarify what constitutes a fully licensed foster care home for the purpose of Title IV-E eligibility.
4.4.

To maintain and augment the effectiveness and efficiency of all DHSS advisory bodies, policymakers should:

  1. Review periodically, beyond traditional sunset audits, whether each membership body is better equipped to determine policies/oversee programs than other available alternatives such as internal agency workgroups or subject matter experts from academia or the public/private sectors.
  2. Establish and enforce expectations regarding the use of performance management tools by agency councils, boards and commissions.
  3. Use the criteria developed in this analysis when considering the creation of any new advisory bodies.
6.2.1.The State of Alaska should consider managed competition or privatization for the Alaska Pioneer Homes.
8.1.G.1Increase revenue and reduce general fund expenditures by developing a fee schedule for the Alaska Pioneer Homes.