(January 12, 2021) – The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
(Trust) awarded more than $600,000 in grants to organizations across the state in the second quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2021.
Trust grants are awarded throughout the year to Alaskan nonprofits, Tribal entities, state and local government agencies, and service providers. This quarter’s grants, part of the Trust’s approximately $25M annual grant program, fund beneficiary-supporting programs and initiatives that align with the Trust’s mission and values. Beneficiaries include Alaskans who experience mental illness, substance use disorders, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and traumatic brain injuries.
“Trust grants fund partners across the state that are working to provide support and necessary services to our beneficiaries,” said Mike Abbott, CEO of the Trust. “We are grateful for our grantees and others in Alaska who are helping improve the lives of our beneficiaries through their efforts.” 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 is more than $1.8 million.
Among the grants awarded in the second quarter of FY 2021:
Anchorage Project Access
Christian Health Associates: $25,000
Trust funds are supporting the Anchorage Project Access (APA) program which increases access to healthcare for Trust beneficiaries experiencing mental illness, chronic health conditions, and homelessness by providing comprehensive outreach services at agencies serving beneficiaries. By enrolling beneficiaries in health insurance plans, facilitating access to primary care, and coordinating a network of volunteer specialty medical and dental providers to donate care, beneficiaries can receive care they may not otherwise get.
Young Builder’s Project
Ionia, Inc.: $9,900
Trust funds will support a three-month beneficiary youth-focused construction training course. The product of the project will be a tiny home on the Ionia community campus. Beneficiary youth will benefit from the hands-on learning opportunity that will support future skill development and offer a positive work experience, which may be further developed as a trade that will be beneficial for future employment.
COVID Quarantine House
Set Free Alaska: $50,000
The Trust awarded $50,000 to Set Free Alaska, a substance use treatment provider in the Mat-Su, to support their work to operate a COVID Quarantine House that provides a safe place for clients to quarantine. Lodging and food are provided through partnerships with local businesses in the Mat-Su. In addition, crisis stabilization, peer support, case management, and substance abuse counseling are provided based on an individual’s needs. Clients stay at the Quarantine House for up to 14 days and then can be transitioned to services such as residential treatment, sober housing, or a domestic violence shelter.
Below is a complete list of Trust grants awarded in the last quarter. You can learn more about the grants in a quarterly grant report posted online.
| Organization Name | Project Title | Grant Amount |
| Ionia, Inc. | Young Builders Project | $9,900.00 |
| Mat-Su Health Foundation for R.O.C.K. Mat-Su | Palmer Families with Infants and Toddlers (FIT) Court | $75,000.00 |
| True North Recovery, Inc. | Program Integrity Division Development and Accreditation | $71,000.00 |
| Alaska Psychiatric Institute | API Admissions Unit Equipment | $32,000.00 |
| All Alaska Pediatric Partnership | Outreach and education to increase developmental screening | $100,000.00 |
| Set Free Alaska | Care Logic Implementation Project | $50,000.00 |
| Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium | Behavioral Health Aide Workforce Development: Program Evaluation | $68,700.00 |
| Daybreak, Inc. | Daybreak/Cloud 9 project for Mat-Su | $50,000.00 |
| Assets, Inc. | Fire suppression system replacement | $27,500.00 |
| Christian Health Associates | FY21 Anchorage Project Access | $25,000.00 |
| Northwest Resource Associates/Alaska Center for Resource Families | FASD Across the Lifespan Curriculum Project | $19,775.00 |
| Central Peninsula General Hospital, Inc. | Boiler replacement at Diamond Willow Sober Living | $12,721.50 |
| Alaska Federation of Natives | 2020 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention | $5,000.00 |
| JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. | Drumming Groups for JAMHI Clients | $3,200.00 |
| Alaska Children’s Alliance | 2020 Alaska Conference on Child Maltreatment: Together We Make a Difference | $2,750.00 |
| Special Olympics Alaska, Inc. | 6th Annual Disability & Aging Summit | $2,500.00 |
| Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance | Conferences to Empower Families and Healthcare Providers | $2,500.00 |
| REACH, Inc. | Transition from Alaska Psychiatric Institute | $50,138.00 |
| Set Free Alaska | COVID Quarantine House | $50,000.00 |