HomeMy WebLinkAbout05132019 City Council Laydown - Hohl /92s/ 3 d
Alaskan �� Seniors
LivingLone rowin Stronger GOVERNOR'S COt?NCIL
Trust ON DISABILITIES&
horn the Alaska Commission on Aging SPECIAL EDUCATION
Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority ASADA t ,p„,,
Akohola.n and Drug Abuse Alaska Mental Health Board
FY20 Budget Conference Committee Priorities
A Conference Committee is negotiating the final details of the FY20 operating and mental health
budgets (HB 39/HB 40).Three House Finance members and three Senate Finance members will
discuss a limited number of budget items that reflect the differences between the House and Senate
versions. Once those numbers are decided and final passage by both bodies, the bill will go to the
Governor who will have an opportunity to reduce or veto items before signing.
Below are "conferenceable" budget items the Trust and partner advisory boards have identified as
priorities. When making your "ask"be sure to mention if it's a HOUSE or SENATE recommendation.
Please contact the Conference Committee members TODAY to supportyour budget priorities:
rep.neal.foster@akleg.gov sen.bert.stedman@akleg.gov
rep.tammie.wilson@akleg.gov sen.natasha.vonimhof@akleg.gov
rep.cathy.tilton@akleg.gov sen.donny.olson@akleg.gov
Support these 'conferenceable' items:
MEDICAID SERVICES: Support the HOUSE recommendation to fund Medicaid Services at$587 million
for FY20. Medicaid provides healthcare coverage for eligible Alaskans in need. Healthcare
providers depend on equitable Medicaid reimbursement rates to keep their doors open.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT & RECOVERY GRANTS: Support the HOUSE recommendation to
maintain FY19 funding for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery Grants.These grants offer
behavioral health treatment providers financial resources needed for sustainability in offering
mental health and addiction services in their communities.
HOUSING AND HOMELESS PROGRAMS: These programs support access to supportive housing,
including homeless prevention, emergency assistance, rapid rehousing, vouchers, rental assistance.
• Support the SENATE recommendation to include full funding for the Homeless Assistance Program.
• Support the SENATE recommendation to include full funding for the Special Needs Housing Grants.
SENIOR BENEFITS: Support the SENATE recommendation to add an$800,000 to the Senior Benefits
Program. This program provides financial assistance to seniors and elders to help meet basic needs,
such as food,shelter, fuel, prescription medications, and transportation.
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ADULT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE: Support the HOUSE recommendation to maintain funding for Adult
Public Assistance.This program provides financial assistance to elderly, blind, and disabled
Alaskans, for basic living expenses, food,rent, transportation, etc.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: Support the SENATE recommendation to maintain funding full for Assistive
Technology.These funds support daily living assistive technologies that help seniors and Alaskans
with disabilities live independently.
HOME MODIFICATIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Support the SENATE recommendation
to maintain full funding for Home Modifications and Upgrades and Accessibility Improvements.
These funds support repairs, renovations, and upgrades for seniors and Alaskans with disabilities.
COORDINATED TRANSPORTATION: Support the SENATE recommendation to maintain full funding
for Coordinated Transportation and Vehicles. Funds support transportation and vehicles for
serving seniors and Alaskans with disabilities.
NOME YOUTH FACILITY: Support the HOUSE recommendation to maintain funding for the Nome
Youth Facility. Funds support operations, treatment, transition support, and probation at this
regional juvenile justice facility serving Northwest Alaska.
THERAPEUTIC COURTS: Support the HOUSE recommendation to add funding to Therapeutic Courts for
additional staff Therapeutic Courts provide people with mental illness, substance use disorders,
and cognitive impairments an alternative to incarceration that promotes rehabilitation, stability,
and compliance with requirements of the court.
DISCHARGE INCENTIVES GRANTS: Support the SENATE recommendation to maintain fundina for
Discharge Incentive Grants. The funds support vouchers and other reentry resources for people
with disabilities leaving corrections requiring extended supervision and support.
The items below are included in the FY20 budget, no advocacy needed at this time:
• Medicaid Adult Preventative Dental • Specialized Skills and Services Training
• Medicaid Optional Services on Serving Justice-Involved Beneficiaries
• Behavioral Health Medicaid Services • Early Childhood Grants
• Behavioral Health Prevention and • Best Beginnings
Early Intervention Grants • Parents As Teachers
• Permanent Fund Hold Harmless • Pre-Kindergarten Grants
• Human Services Community ■ Head Start Grants
Matching Grants • WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska,
• Community Initiative Grants Montana, & Idaho) Education Program
• Senior &Disabilities Community-Based Grants • Beneficiary Employment Technical
• Senior Benefits Program Assistance/Coordination
• Pretrial Services • Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
• Training for Mental Health Staff • Institutional Diversion Housing Program
• Assess, Plan,Identify, Coordinate (APIC) • Telehealth Service Systems Improvement
• Training for Therapeutic Court Staff • Alaska Autism Resource Center
• Alaska Training Cooperative
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