Alaska Begins Restructuring Department of Health and Social Services
An executive order in Alaska will require the Department of Health and Social Services to restructure, creating two separate departments by July 1.
Starting July 1, the two departments — the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health — will become two separate legal entities to allow for a stronger alignment between divisions and programs within the two departments.
DHSS said in a statement that the division of the departments will allow time and space for each department to work with beneficiaries, providers and partners to improve the system of care.
The executive order, EO 121, was first proposed by Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Jan. 18 to divide the department, as it has two different focus areas and missions.
The DFCS offers direct care to Alaskans 24/7 in a facility or in the community, including the Division of Juvenile Justice, the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, Alaska Pioneer Homes, and the Office of Children’s Services.
The DOH aligns divisions that focus on payment, processes and programs, including the division of public health, public assistance, behavioral health, health care services, and the division of senior and disability services.
According to a press release, the DHSS budget is bigger than that of 12 other state departments, the legislature, the court system and the governor’s office combined.
A small executive team of five people manages 3,200 employees, but according to DHSS, the reorganization is not expected to disrupt services, beneficiaries or payments to providers.
After July 1, the department will also work to conduct regular reviews of the process to ensure that Alaskans continue to be served by smaller departments.
Alexa can be reached at [email protected]
