(October 14, 2020) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority awarded $1,465,297.50 in grants to beneficiary-serving organizations in the first quarter of the fiscal year.
On average, the Trust grants $25 million a year to Alaskan organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries including nonprofits, service providers, Tribal entities, and state and local government agencies. Trust grants support long-term systems change and/or innovative projects that build behavioral healthcare capacity and improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. Grants are awarded throughout the year.
“This quarter, Trust grant dollars are funding a variety of efforts, large and small, that will increase service capacity and access to care, support data and planning efforts, and help our industry professionals grow their skills and knowledge,” said Mike Abbott, CEO of the Trust. “We are happy to be able to invest in these efforts to support our beneficiaries and we look forward to supporting our partners as they advance their work.”
Many of the projects funded by the Trust will also receive funding from the philanthropic community, private donations, earned revenue, and other community support. The total value of the projects funded by the Trust this quarter represents close to $20 million.
Among the grants awarded in the first quarter of FY 2021:
Stone’s Throw Culinary Job Training Program, Fairbanks
The Breadline, Inc., $50,000
Breadline, Inc. manages Stone’s Throw, a culinary training program in Fairbanks that serves Trust beneficiaries experiencing behavioral health disorders, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. Stone’s Throw empowers participants with job training as well as culinary, food safety, and life skills training.
COVID Response & Recovery Supports for Alaska Students
Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED), $100,000
Trust grant funds will assist DEED in providing mental health supports to students of all ages, prioritizing rural and remote districts with limited mental health resources, through a new position within the department. Emerging data related to the COVID-19 pandemic indicates a need for student and family mental health supports and identifies schools as critical infrastructure for providing that support now and into the future.
Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Reentry Coalition Capacity Development
Fairbanks: Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, $100,000
Mat-Su: Valley Charities, Inc., $100,000
Anchorage: NeighborWorks Alaska, $100,000
Juneau: JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc., $100,000
One strategy for improving outcomes for Alaskans reentering society following incarceration is to foster “warm hand-offs” from correctional facilities to community-based services and supports. A key to strengthening these connections is the development and/or strengthening of reentry coalitions; particularly in communities with a correctional facility. Reentry coalitions are community-led and supported organizations, and a key part of the Trust’s effort to provide beneficiaries the opportunity for positive, successful reintegration into our communities. Trust funds will support ongoing operation and development of reentry coalitions in the named communities.
Approximately 40% of Alaskans incarcerated each year are Trust beneficiaries. These Alaskans are at increased risk for involvement with the criminal justice system, both as victims and defendants, due to their disabilities and other factors such as lack of community treatment services and supports.
Below is a complete list of Trust grants awarded last quarter. You can learn more about the grants in the quarterly grant report posted online.
| Grantee | Project Title | Grant Amount |
| Alaska Behavioral Health | Peer Support Services Program Pilot Launch – Phase 2 | $55,000.00 |
| Polaris House | Individual Placement Supports | $50,000.00 |
| The Bread Line, Inc. | Stone’s Throw 2020 | $50,000.00 |
| Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education | Alaska Disabilities Benefit 101 Website Maintenance | $14,700.00 |
| JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. | Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Reentry Coalition Capacity Development – Juneau (FY21) | $100,000.00 |
| Interior Alaska Center For Non-Violent Living | Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Reentry Coalition Capacity Development – Fairbanks (FY21) | $100,000.00 |
| Valley Charities, Inc. | Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Reentry Coalition Capacity Development – Mat-Su (FY21) | $100,000.00 |
| NeighborWorks Alaska | Alaska Prisoner Reentry Initiative: Reentry Coalition Capacity Development – Anchorage (FY21) | $100,000.00 |
| JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. | Juneau Reentry Housing | $50,000.00 |
| Valley Charities, Inc. | Mat-Su Reentry Housing | $50,000.00 |
| Division of Senior and Disabilities Services | Home and Community Based Services Conference Group Attendance | $6,437.50 |
| Alaska Division of Public Health (DHSS) | Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey Subjective Cognitive Module | $6,000.00 |
| Alaska Brain Injury Network | National Association of State Head Injury Administrators Conference Group Attendance | $3,300.00 |
| Alaska Department of Education & Early Development | COVID Response & Recovery Supports for Alaska Students | $100,000.00 |
| All Alaska Pediatric Partnership | Pediatric Sub-specialty – A Systems Approach for the State of Alaska | $67,910.00 |
| Alaska Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health | Project Compass: Leading the Way in Workforce Development for Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Services in Alaska (FY21) | $50,000.00 |
| Alaska Head Start Association | Building Capacity through Reflective Supervision | $49,500.00 |
| University Of Alaska | Forget-Me-Not Manor Phase 2 Evaluation | $48,715.00 |
| Community Connections, Inc. | Family Focused Treatment Association | $10,000.00 |
| Sultana New Ventures LLC dba The Foraker Group | Alaska Healthcare Transformation Project | $75,000.00 |
| Alaska Community Foundation | Alaska PPE Resource Links Project | $75,000.00 |
| Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation Behavioral Health | Jake’s Place Renovation Project | $50,000.00 |
| Yakutat Tribal Health Board | Yakutat Community Health Center – Behavioral Health | $50,000.00 |
| Disability Law Center of Alaska | Juneau Benefits Advocacy Project | $45,000.00 |
| Kootznoowoo Corporation | Angoon Traditional Canoe Carving Project | $45,000.00 |
| Arc of Anchorage | The Arc Realignment Project | $40,000.00 |
| Bethel Community Services | Bethel Winter House Shelter Facility Evaluation | $28,735.00 |
| Christopher Walden House Of Hope | Christopher Walden House of Hope | $25,000.00 |
| Ionia, Inc. | Ionia Forest Fire Protection Project | $20,000.00 |
For more information, contact Allison Biastock, Chief Communications Officer, 907.334.2531, allison.biastock@alaska.gov