DFCS Departmental Strategic Priorities
Department of Family and Community’s strategic priorities were established through a collaborative leadership process, guided by
Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan 2025-2029 (Comp Plan). Department leadership met to review the Comp Plan’s vision, objectives, and strategies, ensuring our priorities are directly aligned with statewide goals for strengthening systems of care, fostering collaboration, and improving meaningful outcomes for Alaskans.
Every objective and strategy is designed to advance our mission: Supporting vulnerable Alaskans through accessible, person-centered services; safeguarding their safety through prevention and protective interventions; and promoting their well-being by investing in workforce development, data-driven innovation, and community partnerships. By centering our work on this mission, we are committed to measurable progress in the areas that matter most to Alaska’s families and communities.
DFCS Departmental Strategic Priorities (printable)
Strengthen and Improve the System of Care
Our department is committed to strengthening and improving the system of care by creating environments and options for Alaskans with complex needs. We focus on providing therapeutic, person-centered care and supporting transitions from institutional settings to the community, in alignment with the Comp Plan’s objectives.
Objective 8.3: Enhance and expand access to clinical and case management resources for Alaskans who are incarcerated or detained.
Strategy 8.3.c: Provide therapeutic environments for individuals who require specialized physical and programmatic efforts to meet their needs.
Objective 8.4: Ensure Alaskans who are transitioning out of institutional settings have essential supports.
Strategy 8.4.b: Improve the system for those with complex behavioral needs by enhancing service-level options.
Objective 9.3: Ensure funding is available to support the strategies identified in Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program.
Strategy 9.3.b: Evaluate and provide grant funding to pay for essential services which are not funded through Medicaid or other sources.
Strategy 9.3.c: Develop an interdepartmental process for evaluating the efficacy of grantee programs and providing technical support services for grantee programs and their services.
Foster Interdepartmental Collaboration and Data Sharing
Collaboration and data sharing are vital for identifying and addressing gaps in support and safety for vulnerable Alaskans. By promoting interdepartmental communication and making data accessible to stakeholders, the department ensures informed decisions that enhance well-being and protect those most at risk.
Objective 10.2: Encourage a culture of data-driven decision making that includes data sharing, analysis, and management.
Strategy 10.2.a: Promote interdepartmental and divisional communication and cooperation through memorandums of agreement and data usage agreements.
Strategy 10.2.c: Ensure that data sharing and analysis efforts are accessible and relevant to stakeholder groups including patients, providers, DOH, DFCS, the Trust, and the Legislature.
Enhance Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development
We invest in people to build a resilient and skilled workforce. Our focus is on recruitment, retention, and ongoing professional development, aligned with statewide strategies for workforce capacity and competency.
Objective 9.1: Strengthen workforce capacity with improved recruitment and retention.
Strategy 9.1.b: Expand support services and staff training that address trauma and resiliency for individuals involved with the DFCS and DOC systems.
Strategy 9.1.d: Promote organizational culture that supports workforce development, including effective leadership development which has an impact on recruitment and retention.
Objective 9.2: Advance competencies of the healthcare, behavioral health, and public health workforce.
Strategy 9.2.a: Create an attractive career path for those entering the workforce with accompanying training.