DHSS releases the 2020 Scorecard: Key Issues Impacting Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries

| May 12, 2021 | Alaska

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in partnership with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Trust), announced the release of the 2020 Scorecard: Key Issues Impacting Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries.

 

 

This years scorecard has been revised to align with new indicators and new narratives that are consistent with goals set forth in Strengthening the System: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan 2020-2024. These new goals define a healthcare system that provides a full continuum of prevention, treatment and support services to Trust beneficiaries in Alaska. Commissioner Adam Crum of the DHSS said:

“I appreciate the strong, collaborative team that has worked to update the annual Scorecard so it’s aligned with the new health outcomes in the Comprehensive Plan. Their work will help DHSS, the Trust, our partners and stakeholders to evaluate the current health of Alaska’s population, identify strategies that are working, and focus on the challenges we still need to address.”

Some key changes in data from the previous year include:

  •  A 4% decrease (99% in FY19 to 96% in FY20) of juveniles in a Division of Juvenile Justice facility with an identified behavioral health or neurobehavioral condition in a secure treatment unit.
  • The rate of suicide attempts went up from 4.7 in 2019 to 6 in 2020. (Rate per 1,000 emergency department visits)
  • A 9% increase (51% in FY19 to 60% in FY20) of criminal defendant referrals admitted to a therapeutic court.
  • An increase of 5.6% in 2019 to 42% in 2020 in SHARP (Alaska’s health care workforce incentive program) health practitioner contracts.

Mike Abbott, CEO of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, said:

“As the Trust and the department work together and with partners across Alaska to improve how our system supports Trust beneficiaries, this new scorecard will be an essential tool in both informing our work and monitoring our progress. We appreciate the collaboration with DHSS on this effort, and I look forward to our ongoing efforts to build a system of care that meets the needs of Alaskans.”

The Scorecard was researched and produced by a group of leaders and planners representing the Alaska DHSS, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, boards and commissions, and other related state agencies. It will be assessed annually, incorporating the results to monitor progress and its impacts.