OPINION: We need your help to improve Alaska’s behavioral health system

Update: 5 hours ago Published: 5 hours ago

In December 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report of findings regarding Alaska’s behavioral health care system for children under 18, as reported in Michelle Therriault Boots’ Dec. 16 article 2022 on the subject. Essentially, the Department of Justice find that too many Alaska children are placed in long-term care facilities, often out of state, due to a lack of services to support them in their home communities. The DOJ found reasonable grounds to believe that the State is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide services to children with behavioral disorders in the least restrictive setting appropriate for their needs.

Since the report was studied and written, improvements have been made. In April, the Department of Health reported fewer than 100 children in out-of-state care, down from more than 900. Under the Medicaid Section 1115 waiver program, new programs are open to meet more needs at the local level.

As a company, Alaska Behavioral Health is dedicated to providing the support children and families need to avoid out-of-home placements. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (or PHP), launching in summer 2022, is an example of a new program made possible through the Medicaid 1115 waiver. PHP is a short-term, intensive group program for children up to 17 years old who are experiencing significant or persistent mental health problems, including extreme depression, anxiety and even suicidal ideation. With two hours of family therapy per week, PHP supports the entire care system to avoid the need for hospitalization or ease the transition from hospitalization to life at home.

We believe that providing such outpatient support is the best way to support children and families, but the state wants to know what. You think.

Since June, the State of Alaska has been working on a behavioral health project »roadmap project» to improve the continuum of care for Alaska’s children. The state says this region-focused roadmap will form the basis of a plan that will be implemented over time to expand the continuum of care.

As part of this roadmap process, Alaskans have the chance to share their experiences with the children’s behavioral health care system and their suggestions for improvement. A virtual listening session for Southcentral Alaska is planned for November 8 at 6 p.m. You can participate in Mat-Su in person or online, but pre-registration is required. Learn more about the roadmap process and sign up for listening sessions at Ministry of Health website.

Let’s work together to build a better care system to support our young people in difficulty.

Jim Myers, MBA, is the CEO of Alaska Behavioral Health. Joshua Arvidson, LCSW, is director of operations for Alaska Behavioral Health.

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