NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON EMERGENCY SHELTER FOSTER CARE RATES IN THE REGULATIONS OF DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Family and Community Services proposes changes to regulations on reimbursement rates for emergency shelter care in a foster home. Summary of proposed changes: The Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) proposes adopting regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with reimbursement rates for emergency shelter in a foster home, including the following: • 7 AAC 53.035 is added as a new section. This new section addresses the emergency placement rate. • 7 AAC 53.040 is proposed to be amended.: The intended effect of this amendment is to make changes to the emergency shelter rates. Written comments: You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to SOA/DFCS/Commissioner’s Office PO Box 112600 Juneau, AK 99811. Additionally, the Department of Family and Community services will accept comments by electronic mail at fcs.regulations@alaska.gov. Written comment deadline: The written comments must be received no later than 5:00 PM on September 18, 2026. Questions: You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action via mail SOA/DFCS/Commissioner’s Office PO Box 112600 Juneau, AK 99811 or via email fcs.regulations@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. DFCS will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and agency website. Public nature of comments and questions: Public comments and questions, once submitted, are public records and subject to disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act. See AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295. Do NOT include in your comments or questions any information that you do not want made public. Accommodations: If you are a person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this process, please email fcs.regulations@alaska.gov no later than September 11, 2026, to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided. Obtaining copies of proposed regulations: A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by emailing fcs.regulations@alaska.gov Final version of regulations: After the public comment period ends, the Department of Family and Community Services will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected. Statutory authority: AS 44.30.020; AS 47.06.010; AS 47.14.010; AS 47.32.030 Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 44.30.020; AS 47.06.010; AS 47.14.010; AS 47.32.030 Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require increased appropriation. How to receive further notices: The Department of Family and Community Services keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of the agency’s notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to fcs.regulations@alaska.gov, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices. Individuals can also sign up to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.