Office of the Commissioner
The mission of the Department of Family and Community Services is "To provide support, safety, and personal well-being for vulnerable Alaskans."
The Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) will oversee and improve our child welfare system and 24/7 facilities providing direct services to Alaskans. Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API) and the Alaska Pioneer Homes (AKPH) provide care for patients and elders, and when eligible can bill Medicaid for the services provided – in much the same way that hospitals and clinics work. The Division of Juvenile Justice works to rehabilitate youth offenders while holding them accountable.
Initiatives
Strengthening the System II:
Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan 2025-2029
Released in October 2024, Strengthening the System II: Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan, often referred to as the "Comp Plan", includes a
joint letter from Department of Health Commissioner Hedberg, Department of Family and Community Services Commissioner Kovol, and Board Chair Fisher of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, an
executive summary, and ten areas of focus. Strengthening the System II sets out priorities for the next five years, guiding planning and funding decisions.
Complex Care Initiatives: DFCS-DOH Joint Annual Update (2024)
The Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) and the Department of Health (DOH) are partnering to ensure a coordinated system that delivers compassionate, timely, and person-centered care for individuals with complex behavioral and medical needs.
Commissioner Kim Kovol
Kim Kovol serves as commissioner for the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS). She moved to Alaska over 26 years ago and has lived a traditional military family life, transferring and moving both internationally and within the Lower 48. She has over 25 years of experience in the private sector in executive leadership, management, operating licensed childcare facilities, organizational development and restructure, logistics, and working in the human and social services realm with youth and adults. She is both passionate and compassionate when addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, as seen through her efforts with various non-profit organizations in Alaska focused on children, hunger, and homelessness.
Prior to being appointed commissioner, Kovol was Special Assistant to Governor Dunleavy with a social services portfolio focusing on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, Human and Sex Trafficking, Homelessness, Foster care, Early Childcare, Eldercare, Opioids / Fentanyl, and Suicide Prevention.
Kovol has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and studies (K-8 Education) from San Diego State University and a Master of Social Work from University Alaska Anchorage. She is a 2018 - 2019 LEND Fellow through UAA with a focus on navigating Autism in Alaska. Kovol is also a huge Star Wars fan and appears regularly at community events as “Asajj Ventress” with the 501st Legion / Alaska Garrison – Aurora Borealis. At every opportunity she has time, you can find her bow hunting (donating 100% of harvested game to local soup kitchens), riding a Harley Davidson with her beloved dog, and “mom-ing” to three Alaskan born and raised children, ages 24, 23, and 20.
Requests for scheduling appointments or invitations for the Commissioner can made by sending an e-mail to:
fcs.comm.scheduling@alaska.gov
Mailing address:
PO Box 112600
Juneau, AK 99811-2600
