The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority awarded close to $300,000 in grants to beneficiary-serving organizations in the third quarter of the fiscal year.
These grants to partners are a part of the Trust’s $20 million annual grant program supporting Alaskan organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries including nonprofits, service providers, Tribal entities, and state and local government agencies. Trust grants are awarded for capacity building, direct service, outreach, planning, capital, and workforce initiatives, as well as in support of conferences, seminars and training partnership grants to organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries. Applications for Trust grants are accepted year-round.
“These grants support organizations across the state that provide essential services to, as well as strengthen the workforce and families of, Trust beneficiaries,” said Steve Williams, CEO of the Trust. “Improving Alaska’s system of care is a collective effort, and we greatly appreciate our grantees who making real and positive change in the outcomes of vulnerable Alaskans and in our communities.”
Among the grants awarded in the third quarter of FY 2023:
First City Homelessness Services, $50,000, Ketchikan
First City Homeless Services in Ketchikan operates a 24-bed low barrier shelter that also offers programs and services. People who are experiencing homelessness or food or housing insecurity often do not have the opportunity or emotional and mental capacity to participate in programs that do more than address basic needs. At the same time, Trust beneficiaries can experience such stigma that reaching out for help can be overwhelming, leaving them unable to get the support they need. The First City Haven project expands the services available at the shelter to offer day programs for pre-employment and cultural connection through art and music. For many Trust beneficiaries, these programs assist with recovery by having positive activities available in a safe location.
Cloud 9 Telehealth Software Implementation and Pilot
Mat-Su Health Foundation, $50,000, Wasilla
Connect Mat-Su, a program of the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is advancing a two-year pilot project to implement Cloud 9 Telehealth, a software that supports mental health care and substance use recovery, within the Mat-Su Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Trust funds will help support the first year of implementation costs such as equipment and technology to access the platform, licensing fees for providers and clients, and evaluation. The MDT, comprised of area providers and behavioral health professionals, will use Cloud 9 to communicate with and provide services to their clients, with the goal of making interactions more frequent and seamless through the secure virtual platform. This platform will also allow the MDT to share information virtually and provide more effective and efficient wrap around care for MDT clients who are Trust beneficiaries. MSHF is also a funding partner for this project.
Strengthening Mental Health Outcomes and Awareness for New/Expectant Mothers
Moms Matter Now, LLC, $49,500, Statewide
The prenatal and postpartum period are critical for the mental health of new mothers, who in turn have the greatest impact on their young children through either the occurrence of or lack of attachment. The lack of attachment is known to increase the likelihood of Adverse Childhood Experiences which can be directly linked to mental illness and substance use later in a child’s life. Moms Matter Now, LLC, an Anchorage-based, statewide organization focused on mental health and supportive services for new mothers and parents with young children, will use Trust funds to support their education and awareness, primarily through an online course focused on the emotional and psychological components of parenthood.
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 Children’s Trust | Alaska Early Childhood Legislator Summit | $2,500 |
| Alaska Public Health Association | Alaska Health Summit Conference | $2,500 |
| All Alaska Pediatric Partnership | Alaska Early Childhood Network Retreat | $18,700 |
| Association of Alaska School Boards | Youth Leadership Institute- Cultural Healing and Resiliency Track | $5,000 |
| Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc. | Project Homeless Connect 2023 | $5,000 |
| Disability Law Center of Alaska | Training Access Funds for the 2023 Annual Reducing Recidivism & Re-entry Conference | $22,500 |
| Family Resource Center Association | Support and Tools for the AK Family Resource Center Network | $21,051 |
| First Alaskans Institute | 39th Annual Elders & Youth Conference | $2,500 |
| First City Homeless Services | First City Haven | $50,000 |
| Foundation Health, LLC | Fairbanks at 50+ Summit: The Art and Science of Aging | $2,500 |
| JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. | Juneau Reentry Advocacy Training and Reentry Simulation | $2,600 |
| Ketchikan Wellness Coalition | Reentry Housing | $15,000 |
| Mat-Su Health Foundation | Mat-Su Multi-Disciplinary Team Cloud9 Implementation and Pilot Project | $50,000 |
| Moms Matter Now, LLC | Strengthening Mental Health Outcomes through Education and Awareness | $49,500 |
| Mountain View Lions Club Foundation | Free Remote Area Medical® Clinics — Alaska | $10,000 |
| Peer Power of Alaska | Sixth Annual Peer Power Advocacy Summit | $15,000 |
| Skiku, Inc. | Skiku — Ski for Life | $5,000 |
| Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) Inc. | Outreach and Training Project | $17,250 |
| Stone Soup Group | “What’s in Your Control?” Parent Conference | $2,500 |
| Total | $299,101 |
To learn more about the types of Trust grants, how to apply, and past grant awards, visit https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/about/grants/.
For more information, please contact Allison Biastock, Chief Communications Officer, 907-334-2531, or allison.biastock@alaksa.gov.