Alaska lawmakers hear overview of new Department of Family and Community Services; officials cite capacity, foster recruitment and complex‑care efforts

For the record, Kim Koval: "I've been the commissioner since the creation of the department in July 1, 2022 when the large department reorganized into 2 smaller departments." Commissioner Koval and deputy commissioner Clinton Lasley gave the House Health and Social Services Committee a detailed overview of the Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) on Jan. 30, 2025, covering the Alaska Pioneer Homes, Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API), the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and the Office of Children's Services (OCS).

Nut graf: The presentation aimed to explain how the 2022 split of the former Department of Health and Social Services has focused services for vulnerable Alaskans and to outline capacity, workforce and capital needs that could affect service delivery across the state.

DFCS leaders told lawmakers that the Pioneer Homes system has a total licensed capacity of 506 beds and a fiscal 2025 component budget of about $112,000,000. Commissioner Koval said Pioneer Homes serve residents from independent to advanced dementia care and noted that "61% of our residents in the Pioneer Homes have a diagnosed dementia related disease." DFCS reported Pioneer Homes occupancy at about 86% (roughly 435 residents at the end of December) and said some beds are offline for restoration work such as flooring and painting.

Deputy Commissioner Clinton Lasley explained part of the Pioneer Homes’ apparent per‑resident cost is a budget structure that includes payment assistance funds. Lasley said the state maintains an…