Senate panel approves $515 million budget for family services agency

The Senate Budget Subcommittee for the Department of Family and Community Services approved a $515.3 million budget for the agency Thursday, adding $1.5 million beyond the governor's request to support child advocacy centers around Alaska.

Background

Child advocacy centers in Alaska have faced persistent funding challenges in recent years, creating gaps in services for communities responding to child abuse cases. Previous budget cycles saw reductions in state support for these centers, forcing some facilities to limit operating hours or reduce staff. The additional $1.5 million approved by the subcommittee aims to stabilize operations and expand capacity at centers that coordinate multi-agency response to abuse investigations. These centers bring together law enforcement, prosecutors, medical providers, and victim advocates to handle cases in a coordinated manner, reducing trauma for child victims who would otherwise need to recount their experiences to multiple agencies separately.

Budget details

The fiscal year 2027 budget includes $290.6 million in unrestricted general funds and authorizes 1,971 positions across the department. The subcommittee approved all transactions in the governor's amended budget request, including implementation of an information technology classification study and reductions in federal receipt authority.

Rose Foley, staff to the subcommittee, presented the budget action report at the April 17 meeting. The total budget breaks down to $31.8 million in designated general funds, $106.3 million in other funds, and $86.5 million in federal funds. The position count includes 1,867 permanent full-time positions, five permanent part-time positions, and 99 temporary positions.

The subcommittee added language allowing the department to transfer up to $5 million between appropriations, with one restriction. No transfers may be made out of the Office of Children's Services, which handles child protection investigations and foster care.

The child advocacy center funding was the only addition to the numbers section beyond the governor's request. These centers coordinate response to child abuse cases across Alaska communities, bringing together law enforcement, prosecutors, medical providers, and victim advocates.

The subcommittee adopted the budget action and wordage reports without objection. The recommendations now advance to the full Senate Finance Committee for consideration as part of the state operating budget process.