About the Human Services Section
The Human Services section in the Alaska Attorney General’s office provides legal advice and representation to the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Health. Both of these departments were part of the same Department of Health and Social Services prior to a dividing of the department in July 1, 2022. The attorneys in the Human Services section work with these agencies to help promote the well-being of all Alaskans and provide care and assistance to some of Alaska’s most vulnerable individuals.
The section represents a unique opportunity to serve two of the largest departments who impact the daily lives of all Alaskans at some point in their lives, be that a birth certificates, to medical care, to long term care in the Pioneer Homes. Membership in this section provides its attorneys with the opportunity to develop diverse legal skills as they assist clients through advice, civil litigation, alternative dispute resolution, administrative litigation, regulatory law, and legislative work.
The Department of Health (DOH)
Promoting the health, well-being, and self sufficiency of Alaskans.
Among the Divisions under DOH are:
- Division of Public Health. Includes work with epidemiology, public health nursing, the medical examiner, and vital statistics.
- Division of Public Assistance. Includes working with eligibility related to assistance programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), Adult Public Assistance, General Relief, Heating Assistance, and Alaska Temporary Assistance Program.
- Division of Behavioral Health. Includes working on Behavioral Health Medicaid Services, promoting a continuum of behavioral health services in the state, and intervention for acute psychiatric care.
- Division of Health Care Services. Includes working on oversight, payment, and integrity for Medicaid Services and certification and licensing of care facilities in Alaska.
- Division of Senior and Disabilities Services. Includes working with the senior and disabled population through home and community-based services and providing protective services and intervention through Adult Protective Services.
The Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS)
To provide support, safety, and personal well-being for vulnerable Alaskans
Among the Divisions under DFCS are:
- Division of Juvenile Justice. Working with youth to hold them accountable and protect the community while also working to provide youth with the necessary skills and help to succeed in life. DJJ operates six youth facilities as well as probation and services throughout the state. The Criminal Division handles prosecuting cases, but the Human Services Division serves as counsel to the Division on all other issues.
- Alaska Psychiatric Institute. Operating the State Psychiatric Hospital to provide quality treatment and mental health care for emergency and court-ordered inpatient psychiatric services. Working with both civil and criminal/forensic psychiatric holds.
- Alaska Pioneer Homes. Operates six assisted living homes throughout Alaska to provide a comfortable and high-quality community for older Alaskans.
- Office of Children's Services. Works to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. The Human Services attorneys provide legal assistance with all work, such as foster care payments and licensing, other than the child protection work, which is handled by attorneys in the Child Protection Section.
Scope of Work
- The legal professionals in the Human Services Section work collaboratively with employees at DOH and DFCS to work on issues related to health and safety that impact the lives of nearly every Alaskan. The Human Services section works with members of the public, State agencies, federal agencies, tribal governments and organizations, and care and service providers on a wide variety of subjects.
- The Human Services section provides client advice, handles administrative appeals in the office of administrative hearings, defends against lawsuits brought against the State, helps to draft and review legislation and regulations, and works with federal agencies on federal programs administered by the State.
Medicaid
The Human Services section provides advice to Department of Health on various aspects of the Medicaid program. This includes interpreting, advising, and advocating about changing federal requirements and advising how to maintain maximum federal participation in the Medicaid program. The Human Services section also works with the audit program within DOH to ensure program integrity and recover Medicaid funds that were improperly distributed to providers. In addition, the section works with DOH in certain circumstances to recover funds available from recipients or their estates to reimburse the Medicaid program payments to providers on behalf of recipients.
Caring for Older Alaskans
The Human Services section works with agency staff to help protect and provide services to older Alaskans. The section works closely with Adult Protective Services and other offices to provide protective services and obtain court-appointed guardians and conservators to protect and obtain needed services for elders and other vulnerable adults. Additionally, the section works with Senior and Disability Services on administering the Home and Community-Based Waiver and Personal Care Service programs to provide services for elders and other adults in order to allow them to remain in their homes and out of institutional settings. Finally, the section advises the Alaska Pioneer Homes on issues related to the care of older Alaskans at the homes.
Licensing and Certification
Attorneys within the Human Services section work closely with staff at both DOH and DFCS on licensing and certification matters for facilities and providers in Alaska. This helps to ensure that the regulatory and statutory requirements for assisted living homes, foster care homes, childcare providers, hospitals, and other providers are being met in order to protect Alaskans who are receiving those services. Attorneys also work with agency representatives on issues related to background checks for staff at licensed providers. Attorneys represent the agency in administrative hearings related to these issues.
Mental Health Care
The Human Services section works with the Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) as well as other designated evaluation and treatment facilities in the state on issues related to hospitalization for in-patient mental health care. Attorneys help with obtaining civil court-orders for mental health treatment in order to protect individuals and the community. Additionally, the section represents API as a mental health facility. The section also works with API on issues related to the forensic restoration of criminal defendants where questions of competency arise.
Section Contact
For further information on the Human Services Section contact:
Chris Robison
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Section Supervisor
907-269-5100