Advocates urge expanding Alaska's Infant Learning Program; SB 178 awaits finance hearing

Advocates and health officials told the Alaska Children's Caucus on Feb. 10 that expanding eligibility for the state's Infant Learning Program could reach thousands more children early and yield long-term savings — but that the change must be paired with new funding.

"The Infant Learning Program is a cornerstone of supporting Alaska's youngest children and families," said Tony Newman, director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services, as he introduced program staff and statewide enrollment data. Newer fiscal pressure and workforce shortages, presenters said, have reduced service hours per child even while demand remains high.

Pamela Burton, the state's designated coordinator for the program, explained how Alaska currently applies three eligibility pathways: a list of established conditions, a 50% developmental delay threshold, or an informed clinical opinion. "Alaska's policy requires a 50% developmental delay, which is stricter than statute," Burton said, noting eligibility must be redetermined annually.

Advocates argued the 50% threshold delays help until delays are severe. "We want to align Part C with Part B," said Amy Simpson, executive director of Programs for Infants and Children and an ICC member, referring to federal IDEA rules that cover infants (Part C) and school-age services (Part B). Simpson said changing the threshold to 25% would increase the number of eligible children by about 77 percent — roughly 3,600 more children per year — and allow earlier interventions that can reduce later special education needs.

Speakers outlined financing and implementation issues. Burton reiterated federal fiscal rules: programs must bill private or public insurance with parental consent and Medicaid must be billed first for billable therapies before using Part C dollars; the state ILP office operates as payer of last resort. Simpson and other presenters urged creating an ILP provider type under Medicaid so programs could bill for a broader set of services now paid entirely by state and federal grant funds.

Mike Mason, staff to Sen. Lukey Giesel Tobin, said the FY26 budget included a $5.7 million increment that would cover inflation and initial expansion costs but that the increment was vetoed. "That is 2.7 million to account for inflation, and then 3.0 million for the eligibility expansion," Mason said, adding that SB 178 must be paired with a funding request to avoid reducing service intensity for current enrollees because federal rules bar wait lists.

Sen. Forrest Dunbar, who has pressed for the bill, said during Q&A the caucus would pursue the funding question in Senate Finance. "We are not trying to hide the ball here," Dunbar said, noting advocates are transparent about the costs and the expected return on investment.

Supporters cited national research on early intervention returns and state outcome data. Burton told the caucus that FY25 data showed over 44 percent of children exiting ILP at age 3 were functioning within age expectations on social, emotional and cognitive measures; presenters argued that earlier support can reduce later special-education costs.

The caucus heard repeated warnings that passing a law expanding eligibility without a funding stream would likely force providers to spread services more thinly across a larger caseload. Presenters described a phased implementation plan tied to workforce growth and Medicaid billing changes as the intended rollout if the bill and budget advance.

SB 178 is sponsored by the Senate Health and Social Services Committee and has been referred to Senate Finance with a hearing requested. Advocates and staff said they will appear at the finance hearing to press for the funding component needed to implement an eligibility change.

The caucus did not take any formal votes; the next procedural step is a Senate Finance hearing for SB 178 and the companion budget request.