Smart Start

Governor Tony Knowles proposed Smart Start in his 1997 State of the Child Address because Alaskans share a common goal of safe, healthy children and strong families.

There is lots of work to do to meet that goal. About 23,000 Alaska children don't have health care coverage. With 15,000 reports of harm a year, Alaska has one of America's highest rates of child abuse and neglect. Our teen suicide rate is the nation's fourth highest. Arrests of juveniles for violent crimes have increased 268 percent in 10 years.

We have a unique opportunity to break the cycle of poor health, abuse and violence because the federal gov- emment is now paying a larger share of Medicaid expenses in Alaska. Here's what the proposed Smart Start investment will do:

Children's Health Care	$7.2 million
Expand health care coverage to 11,600 children and 800 pregnant women in Alaska's working families. For example, children and pregnant women in a family of four earning $20,000 to $40,000 a year would be covered.
Prevention Includes	$11 million
Provide child care to 1,170 more children Expand Head Start to serve 200 additional children Improve child care and preschool licensing Expand the Infant Learning Program to 1 00 more infants Provide Infant Respite Care to 40 more families a year Expand Healthy Families and similar home visiting programs to approximately 800 families Increase community involvement through COMPASS Increase Alaska Legal Services work for families in crisis	Expand anti-smoking efforts Increase unwed pregnancy prevention - if we're one of five most successful states, Alaska will gain $20 million from the federal government Use savings from closing Harborview for priority devel- opmental disability services for 100 beneficiaries Improve child immunization rates Increase Fetal Alcohol Syndrome prevention efforts Provide clinics for diagnosis and treatment of birth defects Increase services to developmentally disabled and mentally ill youth
Child Protection Includes	$14 million
Organize Child Protection Teams to achieve zero- tolerance of child abuse and neglect Expand resources for troopers, VPSOS, social workers, probation and parole officers and child protection attorneys Provide 1 5 additional emergency child care placements statewide Increase foster care placements to meet 4.5% growth demand and subsidized adoptions for 13% growth demand; increase payments to families providing care	Strengthen alcohol treatment services for women and children Provide respite care for foster parents Increase mental health services for children Increase capacity at Youth Centers in Anchorage, ' Fairbanks, Juneau, Bethel and Nome to relieve 20-30% overcrowding Expand electronic monitoring for juvenile offenders Provide treatment services for incarcerated youth Fund the Youth Corps program's new federal match requirement
INCREASED INVESTMENT IN ALASKAS CHILDREN	$32.2 million

"Smart Start" Initiatives Invest $32 Million in Alaska's Children.

In his 2nd annual State of the Child address in November, Gov. Tony Knowles proposed three initiatives to improve the outlook for Alaska's children: basic health care for the children of working families, prevention programs that work, and intervention - swift and forceful - when children are in peril. "I see a futurej of change where all of Alaska's children have adequate health care; where families have the chance to grow strong and prosperous; where Alaskans have zero tolerance for the neglect and abuse of our children," the governor said in a statewide televised address that featured highlights of his recent visits with police, child advocates, and parents.

Health Cornerstone Helps 1 1,600 Children of Working Families.

By expanding Medicaid eligibility, 11,600 more children of workiniz Alaskans and an addi- tional 800 pregnant women will be eligible for health coverage under the proposal. For example, children and pregnant women in a family of four with an annual income between $20,000 and $40,000 will qualify. "The dollars we invest helping our kids grow up healthy an strong today will save us money and heartache tomorrow," Knowles said. When Vermont increased health coverage for its kids, along with other measures, child abuse rates dropped 30 percent in iust four years.

Governor Expands Successful Prevention Efforts.

To help break the cycle of violence that plagues too many Alaska children, part two of the initiative expands prevention programs. For example, it would take care of 825 children on Day Care Assistance waiting lists, enroll 200 more in Head Start, 345 in child care, increase the number of new moms and dads receiving 12arentingtraining by 55 percent, grow child support collections, put additional resources into reducing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other substance abuse problems, and increase and extend home and community-based services to young Alaskans suffering from developmental disabilities.

Swift Intervention Necessary to Protect Kids.

Part three of the govemor's initiative calls for more effective responses to abused and ne- glected children, more resources and new laws. Child protection agencies - police, social workers, prosecutors, educators - will take a team approach to reports of hann. Knowles also proposes more resources for troopers and VPSOS, social workers and other agencies involved in child protection. It also calls for improvement of foster care and adoption services and, finally, a rewrite of child protection laws.

Investment in Children Offers Unique Opportunity.

By relying on new federal dollars and reinvested state funds, the $32 million Smart Start initiatives use only $1 million in new general funds - from the increased state tax on snuff and chewing tobacco. "There are those who will say we have a $32 million annual windfall that should just be pocketed as part of closing the fiscal gap," Knowles said. "But to do that, I believe would be turning our backs on Alaska's children."

What Alaskans are saying about the SMART START Initiative

"The best way to prevent crime in Alaska is to break the cycle of violence, abuse and neglect. Educated, healthy children grow up to be productive, law-abiding adults ... For a long time Alaska has needed more resources for troopers and VPSO'S. Governor Knowles is on the right track by providing us the tools we need to protect all Alaskans. "

Seward Police Chief Tom Walker
President, Alaska Association of Police Chiefs

"When we invest in the health of our children, we invest in the future of Alaska. We owe it to the children of Alaska to seize this special opportunity to bring health care to working families who desperately need and deserve it. Other states which have made similar commitments have seen the health of their children improve and rates of child abuse fall."

Rodman Wilson, MD
Former Director of Public Health, Munidpality of Anchorage

How You Can Get Involved

ALASKA CHILDREN'S TRUST
1-800-643-KIDS

Information on Volunteering
OFFICE OF THE LT. GOVERNOR
907-465-3520
www.gov.state.ak.us/ltgov volunteer@gov.state.ak.us

UNITED WAY ANCHORAGE
907-263-2021

ALASKA FOSTER PARENT TRAINING CENTER
800-478-7307