ANCHORAGE, Alaska (April 5, 2022) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Trust) awarded more than half a million dollars in grants to beneficiary-serving organizations in the third quarter of the fiscal year.
On average, the Trust grants $25 million a year to Alaska 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 innovative projects that build behavioral health care capacity and improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. Grants are awarded throughout the year.
“This fiscal quarter, we’re excited to be supporting partners as they work to improve skills and capacity, develop supportive housing, and provide necessary supports and services to vulnerable Alaskans,” said Steve Williams, CEO of the Trust. “Funding initiatives and projects that improve our continuum of care helps the Trust meet its goal of improving the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries.”
Many of the projects funded by the Trust 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 an estimated $1.7 million.
Among the grants awarded in the third quarter of FY 2022:
Angoon Teen Center Renovation Project
Kootznoowoo Corporation, Inc., $50,000, Angoon
The Angoon Teen Center Renovation Project is a part of a larger community project to renovate the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Alaska Native Sisterhood Hall in Angoon. Creation of a Teen Center and renovation of the hall will increase the community capacity to offer an array of cultural activities and programs for youth and adults, as well as a place to come together for community gatherings, Tlingit song and dance practices, traditional food preparation and preservation, and other activities promoting a strong sense of belonging that comes from an emphasis on cultural ties and social relationships.
Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program
Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc., $50,000, Soldotna
This project will provide respite care for beneficiaries and family caregivers. Respite, support groups, and check-in contact can help end prolonged isolation and reduces depression, anxiety, and substance abuse often experienced by seniors and their caregivers when isolated. The goals of the project are to improve quality of life, reduce crisis medical or mental health care, support continued and enhanced caregiving, and support the family caregiver.
Juneau Reentry Housing
JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc., $50,000, Juneau
Trust funds will provide housing support for beneficiaries reentering society after incarceration who are confronted by barriers to housing due to their criminal history, mental illness, or other complicating factors. To help overcome these barriers, the Juneau Reentry Coalition will provide Trust beneficiaries with housing support and peer support services to help ensure safe and stable housing, which will aid their successful reentry into society.
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 |
| JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. | Juneau Reentry Housing | $50,000 |
| Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium | Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference | $3,000 |
| Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiatives, Inc. | Tyee Court Security and Safety Upgrades | $9,801 |
| Bridges Community Resource Network Inc. | Project Homeless Connect | $5,000 |
| Alaska Primary Care Association | DSP PATH Academies | $75,000 |
| AWARE, Inc. | Cordova Street Housing Development | $70,000 |
| Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association | Four A’s Syringe Access Project, Juneau | $50,000 |
| University Of Alaska Child Welfare Academy | Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Institute and Child Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Conference | $50,000 |
| Nettie’s Care Coordination | Transition from Alaska Psychiatric Institute | $10,210 |
| Kootznoowoo Corporation, Inc. | Angoon Teen Center Renovation Project | $50,000 |
| Alaska Division of Public Health, Section of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health | Facilitated Attuned Interactions Training for Home Visitors | $30,000 |
| Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. | Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program Respite | $50,000 |
| Alaska Therapeutic Alumni Group | Sustaining the Gain Through Peer Support | $43,477 |
| “National Association of State Head Injury Administrators | Learning Practices Academy on Criminal and Juvenile Justice and Brain Injury | $10,000 |
Contact: Allison Biastock, Chief Communications Officer, allison.biastock@alaska.gov, 907.334.2531