ALASKA SAFE CHILDREN’S ACT TASK FORCE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2016 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Anchorage LIO, Room 203, 714 W 4th Avenue
Juneau LIO, Room 104, Terry Miller Building, 129 6th Street
Teleconference # 1-844-586-9085 (toll free)
Meeting Notes
For audio of meeting go to http://akleg.gov/audio/index.php
Attendance Juneau: Trevor Storrs, Lauree Morton, Sharity Sommer, Grace Abbot (Rep.
Millett), Kristina Andrew (Rep. Edgmon), Erin Shine (Senator MacKinnon), Senator Anna
MacKinnon, Les Morse (EED), Barbara Thompson, Representative Geran Tarr, Patricia Owen
(staff) , Samantha Wilson (staff)
Attendance Anchorage: Samantha Strauss (Senator Gardner), Katie Reilly (DHSS), Sharon
Cissna (Alaska Health Trackers), Danielle Schauer (Learning for Life/Alaska Boy Scouts),
Melanie Sutton (Anchorage School District)
Phone Participants: Representative Charisse Millet
10:30 am: Public Comment
Mr. Butch Moore, Anchorage (advocate for Erin and Bree’s Law) provided comment.
He appreciates the work of the Task Force. He explained that after his daughter was killed (by
her boyfriend), her girlfriends indicated if they knew what to say and how to help, it would have
been helpful.
The purpose of his comments is to report on the federal funding for Erin’s Law. There is a lot of
concern about the Alaska Safe Children’s Act as being an unfunded mandate and this may be a
funding source.
He and his wife worked with Senator Dan Sullivan’s office and Senator Lisa Murkowski’s office
about getting funding related to Erin/Bree’s law and adding language on teen dating violence
into the bill.
Senator Murkowski’s office sent an email from Karen McCarthy about Title IV funding (under
Every Student Succeeds Act) which authorized 1.6 billion nationwide, of which Alaska will
receive 8 million. He noted that the challenge will be finding good education that is affordable.
He stated that in Rhode Island after the Lindsey Ann Burk Act passed requiring teen dating
violence education, after seven years from enacting the law, the prevalence of teen dating
violence were reduced in half.
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He stated that this in new money that is earmarked specifically for teen dating violence etc. by
Senator Murkowski, and we want to make sure the money is received and the districts receive it
for really good education. He wants to make sure districts get this funding for good (prevention)
education.
He thanked everyone’s efforts and wants to make sure we prevent other parents from having to
deal with this (tragedy).
No other public comment.
10:45: Update on federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Deputy Commissioner Les
Morse (moved from afternoon to earlier on the agenda)
Deputy Commissioner Morse further explained that the Every Student Succeeds Act was signed
into law Dec. 10, 2015 and replaces No Child Left Behind.
Under No Child Left Behind, Alaska used to get funding under Title IV, Safe & Drug Free
Schools (approx.. 2 million to Alaska) , which was ultimately eliminated after federal review.
The new law (Title IV) is very expansive in comparison, and authorizes 1.6 billion dollars
nationwide. The budget that was just passed by Congress funds under old Title IV. New funding
will be available July 1, 2017.
There is still a lot be learned about the Act. Under the law passed, some items come into effect
immediately, but the money is available in 2017. U.S. Dept. of Education has to release some of
the regulations. Under Title IV (Part A), Alaska will get at least 8 million dollars to support 3
areas:
1. Well-rounded education opportunities- STEM, arts & technology education
2. Safe and Healthy students- relationship building schools, drug & violence prevention
3. Effective use of technology- blended learning, professional development
When the funding gets to states, if fully funded, 95% of the funding must go to districts (State
agency will have 1% for evaluation and 4% for monitoring) Each school district will get a
minimum of $10,000 and every district that gets more than $30,000 must spend it accordingly:
 20% Well-rounded education
 20% Safe & Healthy students
 Up to 15% effective use of technology
(45% can go to other areas within authorization)
Districts receiving more than $30,000 must do a needs assessment and include stakeholders in
needs assessment (educators, parents, tribal entities). Decisions are made at the local level.
Districts also have the option to take the money and use it for other purposes.
Patty Owen mentioned that courses in health and physical education are now considered subjects
included in a “well-rounded education”, which is exciting for school health and physical
education advocates.
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Lauree asked if the needs assessment has to be done every year and Les answered that it is
required every three years.
Lauree asked if the money could be used for curriculum development or training for
implementing curriculum. Mr. Morse said that it looks like we can do statewide training on a
statewide program, however the U.S. DOE has not indicated which areas the money can be used
under.
He said there is a laundry list of uses and districts have options, so there needs to be involvement
in local needs assessment.
Senator MacKinnon commented that it is fantastic there is additional money, as the state faces a
budget crisis. We want standardized opportunities available districts for all. Let’s work with our
senators to get the money into the hands of districts without doing a needs assessment. Can we
standardize the issue for them to get a standardized curriculum? Reporting requirements. Ten
thousand dollars is gift but is it worth the money for all the work, especially for our small
communities.
Trevor asked if school districts can pool together or share costs to be more successful.
Mr. Morse noted that EED is currently working with districts to create a consortium to pool
money under the Carl Perkins federal funding for vocational education. We’ve received full
participation for districts to do professional development together. There may be opportunity to
do it here, but we need to make sure we can make that happen, looking further at the law
Senator MacKinnon- collaboration is great but from a school board perspective, if we’re going to
look at health and the state is going to be involved, our education commission (State Board of
Education) should look to providing best practices for health curriculum and resources for
districts, especially with districts that are struggling with health curriculum. She is not trying to
take away local control.
Trevor asked for thoughts on action steps to reach out to our federal representatives regarding
pooling?
Senator MacKinnon thought that we can be pro-active on this if we get to Senator Murkowski’s
office quickly.
Barbara Thompson mentioned that it’s a good time to talk about this as the State Board of
Education is developing a strategic plan. This fits into the development of this strategic plan (3
main goals). We need to be sure we can support new federal regulations and that state
regulations don’t hamper cooperative agreements.
Trevor suggested that this information go to the strategic planning meeting.
Barbara Thompson said that there is an opportunity at the Board Meeting, January 25th in Juneau.
It was suggested that a letter will be drafted to the State Board of Education and Lauree will be
there to provide public testimony.
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Members agreed in favor.
Senator asked for support for her to call Murkowski’s staff and get the conversation started,
regarding flexibility of funding and talk about smaller districts and ability to pool money
together. All agreed to the Senator’s staff connecting with Senator Murkowski to broach
subject.
11: 15 Guest Presentation: Superintendent Jim Nygaard, Valdez City School District
Jim Nygaard spoke on the phone. He stated that he is in his 35th year of education, 25th in
administration. He spoke about HB44.
He noted that if staff does not complete the mandated trainings, they will not renew your
certificate. In this budget crisis, he worries about the lack of support to our students, lack of
staffing for student services.
As HB44 comes to fruition, we need to protect the children and protect the budget.
He recommends that with so much on a teacher’s plate, especially in the fall when mandated
trainings are in place, the teacher’s schedules are packed with curriculum. Ultimately, the more
mandated trainings we do, the more we get away from teaching reading and writing.
He suggested that EED provide these training out of the school year and provide credit towards
recertification, available online and not during the school day. Allows a chance for more
teaching time in reading, writing and math during the fall. Allow teachers to be accountable for
their own training. He wants to make HB44 a positive and not a burden.
Barbara Thompson asked about credits required for recertification. Senator MacKinnon agrees
and has tried to work with University to provide training for credit.
Senator MacKinnon’s attempt has been to get these online and offer credits for completion.
Melanie Sutton says there could be a possibility of rolling all the mandated training into a level 1
credit course (yearly courses).
Patty stated that we currently have an eLearning system that does offer CEUs for recertification.
It is also possible to partner with University for credits. Barbara clarified that 6 credits are
required for recertification – 3 credits can be CEU’s and 3 academic credits.
Trevor ask Supt. Nygaard to please speak to the (classroom) curriculum and how it is working.
Supt. Nygaard said that there was suicide prevention in health classes, support groups, crisis
response for suicide with counselors, partners with local mental health services. Valdez is
fortunate to have resources to call upon.
Trevor asked how he felt about State Board/EED providing recommended curriculum and would
it be helpful. Supt. Nygaard said they are looking for several different curriculum options to
consider that they could opt in to.
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11:30 Guest Presentation: Assistant Superintendent Sandra Kowalski,
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
Sandra Kowalski noted that Fairbanks implemented (their own) Erin’s Policy in August 2014,
similar to what passed in HB44. In our school board policy we are required to adopt a
curriculum and provide referrals and resources to students to handle dangerous situation.
Provide mandatory training to all staff on reporting tools available to staff, we’re required to
provide resources to students and staff, and community and parents.
First started this with staff training, including certified & office staff. Currently we use EED
eLearning module and it provides consistency that the training requires, but we also provide an
additional resources of our expectations for student and staff boundaries and conduct (2x per
year). With this training requirement one of our biggest challenges is tracking our training
among all of our employees. Had to build in a tracking system. This area (of staff training) has
the highest completion rate of all mandated trainings (97%).
Once of requirements of policy that was difficult to address, but the aspect of learning about
luring and grooming behaviors. Looking at Darkness to Light program, 5-step framework that
clearly articulates to adults on how to keep children safe. Interested in pursuing that training.
http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6035035/k.8258/Prevent_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm
Our students learn how to stay safe through health classes and lessons. Counselors deliver
lessons in elementary schools. Health curriculum is up for review and we’re adding new pieces
of Bree’s law into that curriculum. FNSBSD is reviewing these programs now:
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

Healthy touch
Good boundaries
Safe Kids
http://www.libraryvideocompany.com/Healthy-Touch-Good-Boundaries-Safe-Kidsp/ce4964.htm
As another way to support students, we have monthly counselor meetings to talk about
components of Erin’s law and Bree’s law to make sure all topics are addressed. It’s difficult to
find resources that aren’t distracting to students or outdated etc.
Counselors meet with community agencies to talk about preventing childhood trauma. Boys and
girls home meet with counselors to talk about addressing and preventing childhood trauma. They
want to smooth the reporting process and are working with the Office of Children’s Services
(OCS) to refine information and expectations.
Representative Tarr pointed out that although (prevention) programs can be costly, the Fairbanks
district had to pay for a settlement in a sexual abuse case. Sandra said that the costs are worth it
since it supports a healthy community. One of the resources currently reviewing are resources on
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CDC- Dating Matters. Sandra also confirmed that the district was using Fourth R curriculum in
the high school.
Patty mentioned that in her work in school emergency preparedness with the REMS technical
assistance center, Alaska has access to a free special training on “Adult Sexual Misconduct in
School” that we may want to provide in the future.
Trevor asked what the process is to select curriculum and Sandra said they use their standard
curriculum adoption process. Trevor asked how they are reaching parents? Sandra said they plan
to have counselor nights where information is shared with parents.
Trevor asked for any recommendations that she would like to see in our report.
Sandra is interested in capacity building across the state, concerned about the cost and burden.
Interesting in collaborating with other districts, for if we have trainers in our district for Darkness
to Light we can provide that support to other districts.
Senator MacKinnon asked if there a standard process for curriculum vetting? Patty stated that the
CDC has the Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT) for reviewing which is the
gold standard and is quite detailed. It allows users to review comprehensive (multi-topic), or
topic –specific curriculum (i.e alcohol and drug abuse) by grade-level.
12:00-1:00 pm: LUNCH
1:00: Staff training update, Lauree Morton
Lauree provided a handout on estimated costs for eLearning modules training/updates:
Suicide Awareness & Prevention Trainings
Reorganize and update
$10,000 - 15,000
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training
$45,000
(11 year old course)
Reorganize into shorter segments and update
Erin and Bree’s Laws
$30,000
Standalone course development and updates
to DVSA module
TOTAL
$90,000
(Additional module on Trauma and Resilience approximately $25,000)
Lauree presented information provided by Sharon Fishel, EED regarding and outline for training
criteria for Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training (handout) that may not be on the
recommended list. This will be further detailed for guidance. Training must include the
following 9 components:
1. Goals & Objectives for the training
2. Warning Signs
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3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Risk & Protective Factors
Safe Messaging
Intervention strategies
Careline information
Community resource information
Postvention strategies
Evaluation of the training
1:30 Guest Presentation: Pam Karalunas, Alaska Children’s Alliance
http://alaska.nationalchildrensalliance.org/
Pam has been working in the area of child sexual abuse for 30 years and is excited about this
opportunity. The Alaska Children’s Alliance is an organization of child advocacy centers
(CAC’s). Most states have similar organizations and CAC’s. A CAC is a child friendly
environment for investigating child sexual abuse (forensic interviews coordinated with OCS,
medical, law etc.). Pam also explained the process that the children go through.
Of the 1,800 kids seen at 12 CAC’s in Alaska, 40% are age 6 and under, 34% are ages 7-12, and
one third are boys.
As a system we need to prepare teachers to handle disclosures since we can generally expect
more disclosures after the education. Poor responses to disclosures can have very negative
outcomes.
The Alaska Children’s Justice Act Task force is creating a new mandated reporter video and how
to respond to disclosures. (There are all kinds of ways that disclosures can be mishandled)
Pam and Trevor suggested two curricula to be added to the working draft list of curricula (Play it
Safe and Safer, Smarter Kids) and has since found another which is new (research-informed)
Empower Me (K-6) developed by Gunderson. Pam mentioned a number of important topics,
including dangers of Internet predators.
2:30 Staff training update/Classroom curriculum update, Lauree Morton
Lauree presented a new (handout) At a Glance – Classroom Curriculum -Working Draft,
January 14, 2016, which is a different format than the last (At a Glance) document. It also added
2 new programs suggested by Pam Karalunas and Trevor.
Lauree on behalf of the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault wants to recommend
the Fourth R Grades 7-9 and Fourth R Healthy Relationship Plus be approved. It has been used
and evaluated in Alaska with positive results and it has federal funding support. Barb spoke in
favor of this.
Motion to approve. All agreed.
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Lauree identified other curriculum to look at further, including the Great Body Shop, Child
Protection Unit (used by DVSA agencies), Second Step, Green Dot Middle and High school
(which connects with community Green Dots efforts) and Safe Dates.
Barb was also interested in learning more about the Great Body Shop, Child Protection and
Second Step – because the DVSA agencies have been using and districts are using some of these.
She had concerns over the cost of Green Dot, but Lauree mentioned the possibility of having in
state trainers.
Representative Tarr would like to see curriculum inclusive of LGBTQ and diversity. Senator
MacKinnon spoke in favor of looking through the lens of language. Patty also mentioned
curriculum for the special needs population.
The group would also like a further look at Safer, Smarter Kids from Florida (K-12). Patty would
also like to further look into Speak Up Be Safe.
The group decided to wait to involve Kate Burkhart on discussion of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Curriculum.
Senator MacKinnon spoke in favor of curriculum that builds resilience and develops assets for
students from an early age – maybe goes back to developing health curriculum.
2:00 Approximate Cost Calculations for Curriculum, Deputy Commissioner Les Morse,
Dept. of Education & Early Development
Deputy Commissioner Morse explained that he and Patty had originally looked at funding costs
last year in preparation for questions regarding costs of implementation. EED looked at districts
that are implementing vs. districts in need and came up with initial guesstimates:
Elementary schools $152,000 - $338,000
Secondary Schools $175,000 – $210,000
Total approximate cost range: $395.4 – $616.3
Patty mentioned that she has calculated costs a number of different ways and all are close to
$500,000.
Trevor talked about initial thoughts for potential partner funding:
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

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Children’s Trust $25,000
Rasmuson $25,000 (Tier 1)
Mental Health Trust $10,000 or more
Mat Su Health Foundation $25,000 (would have to benefit Mat Su region)
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Other funding updates:
Katie Reilly (DHSS) shared updates on two funding opportunities:
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U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Family and Youth Services, PREP
grants, currently funds Fourth R in Alaska, but grant period is ending. The new Funding
Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is expected soon and Alaska is expected to receive
$250,000 each year for next two years. It is a non-competitive grant.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opportunity Core State Violence and
Injury Prevention program (SVIPP) competitive $250,000 application due (20 awards)
has to be DHSS or tribal. There will be a CDC informational call on February 1st. There
are four focus areas in the grant: 1) child abuse and neglect, 2) traumatic brain injury
(TBI), 3) motor vehicle crash injury and death, and 4) intimate partner/sexual violence.
Trevor asked what the plan was to respond to the CDC SVIPP grant and Katie said that it was
the Division of Public Health, Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
along with ANTHC. Trevor asked for contact information to facilitate working together. (This
was the funding opportunity that our CDC presenter mentioned to the Task Force at the
November meeting)
300-3:15 BREAK
3:15 Guest Presentation: Lisa Parady, Director, Alaska Council of School Administrators
Alaska Council of School Administrators is the umbrella organization for Alaska
Superintendents Association, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals, Alaska
Association of Secondary School Principals, Alaska Association of School Business Officials,
and Alaska Staff Development Network. Dr. Parady noted that the safety and well-being of
students is of the highest priority.
She explained that she did a survey of her membership and summarized the survey results.
(See ACSA handout of survey questions and summary of results)
3:45
Guest Presentation: Superintendent Therese Ashton, Tanana City School District
Therese is Superintendent and on-site principal. One of the overall needs is that staff works with
multi-age/multi-grade and curriculum has to be adapted into a multi-grade class.
She would like help with negotiating reasonable costs with vendors for small districts.
She would like ongoing training for teachers that is asynchronous by distance education.
Teachers need training on ways to handle sensitive discussions. There are no health care
professionals in the village, staff need appropriate procedures to follow (for referral).
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She appreciates the work of the Task Force since she doesn’t have time to review all curriculum.
1) She would like to find a curriculum where the time is flexible. One shot too little, but
can’t be too much.
2) Info needs to be fluid, we need updates and to make sure costs of updates are not hidden
3) Curriculum on-line version or have modules for personalization for students at risk
4) Curriculum has to be adaptable to Alaskan communities and pertinent for students.
4:00 Wrap up/Next Meetings
Next meeting dates:
Friday, February 26 10:30 – 4:30
Friday, March 18 10:30 - 4:30
Next meeting agenda items:
 Alcohol and drug abuse curriculum - update from Kate Burkhart
 Update - staff review on curriculum of interest
 Outline for staff training (table of contents) in order, starting with trauma and resilience
 PTA presentation next meeting
 EED (Commissioner) invite presenter from University of Alaska to talk about teacher
training and pre-service training opportunities w/ credit options
 More curriculum costs estimates
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