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) focuses on improving Alaska’s child welfare system and 24/7 facilities that serve Alaskans. Our four main divisions include:
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Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API): Provides care for patients requiring psychiatric services.
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Alaska Pioneer Homes (AKPH): Offers long-term care and assisted living for Alaska’s elders.
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Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ): Rehabilitates youth offenders while ensuring accountability.
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Office of Children's Services (OCS): Strives to ensure the safety and well-being of Alaskan children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes.
Initiatives
DFCS Departmental Strategic Priorities
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.
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.
Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan: Strengthening the System & the Alaska Scorecard
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.
Acting Commissioner Tracy Dompeling
Tracy Dompeling serves as Acting Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS), bringing more than 29 years of experience in Alaska public service. Her career spans leadership roles in juvenile justice, behavioral health, and statewide systems management.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Commissioner in August 2025, Dompeling served as Director of the Division of Behavioral Health within the Alaska Department of Health, where she led Medicaid reform efforts to improve provider payment structures and expand access to care. Before the 2022 reorganization that created DFCS, she served as Director of the Division of Juvenile Justice, overseeing statewide operations and collaborating closely with partner divisions across the department.
Dompeling holds a Master of Arts in Administration of Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, clear communication, and strong commitment to public service, and remains focused on strengthening services for Alaska’s children, families, and communities.
Scheduling
Requests for scheduling appointments or invitations for the Commissioner can made by sending an email to:
fcs.comm.scheduling@alaska.gov
Mailing address:
PO Box 112600
Juneau, AK 99811