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Child-advocacy leaders thank House Finance for $5.5M increment to keep child abuse services operating
Summary
The Alaska Children's Alliance and Alaska Children's Trust asked the committee to approve a $5.5 million increment for Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) statewide as federal funds wind down; they said CACs provide forensic, advocacy and coordinated services to more than 2,000 children annually.
Representatives of Alaska—s child-advocacy network urged the House Finance Committee to keep a $5,500,000 increment intended to sustain Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) statewide after anticipated federal funding reductions.
Mari Mukai, executive director of the Alaska Children's Alliance, said CACs served 2,061 children last year referred by law enforcement or the Office of Children's Services for serious abuse or to witness violent crime. She described CACs as providing a trauma-informed center for forensic interviews, victim advocacy and coordinated services that both support victims and make investigations more efficient.
"These programs have been in jeopardy due to the anticipated loss of federal funds in FY26, which accounts for half of the overall CAC budget statewide," Mukai said, and said the $5.5 million increment would allow centers to maintain current service levels and continue holding offenders accountable.
Trevor Storrs, president and CEO of the Alaska Children's Trust, thanked the committee for earlier investments in early-childhood and family supports and reiterated that CAC funding is a core part of preventing and responding to child maltreatment. Testimony was submitted under the operating budget (HB 53) for committee consideration.
