SAMHSA Grant Expands Access to Services and Training in Alaska
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Alaska Behavioral Health has begun work under a new grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
Alaska Behavioral Health received a Category III service delivery grant to expand access to mental health services through a concentrated outreach effort to reach children and families in Alaska impacted by trauma. The outreach program will work with schools, the POWER Center youth drop-in program, and the All-Alaska Pediatric Partnership to identify and engage families needing trauma-focused services. Alaska Behavioral Health will provide a variety of evidence-based services to a diverse population, including a high proportion of children involved with the child protection system. Child & Family Clinic Director Kristin Mortenson says, “Alaska has high rates of child abuse and neglect, and we know that we can make a real difference in children’s lives by identifying those who need support and giving them the space and skills to heal.”
This five-year, $2 million grant will serve a total of 1,900 children.
Current Issue
May 2024
The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative was established by Congress in 2000 to raise awareness about the impact of trauma on children and adolescents as a behavioral health concern and improve the quality of care available for those impacted by trauma. Alaska Behavioral Health first joined the network in 2005 with the establishment of the Alaska Child Trauma Center. We are Alaska’s only NCTSN Center.
Since 2011, Alaska Behavioral Health has been a regional training hub for the Complex Trauma Treatment Network, a NCTSN trauma training and technical assistance center focused on supporting organizational implementation of trauma practices and multi-agency, regional, and statewide trauma initiatives.
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The track of oil and gas development in Alaska shows the footprints of bold companies and hard-working individuals who shaped the industry in the past and continue to innovate today. The May 2024 issue of Alaska Business explores that history while looking forward to new product development, the energy transition for the fishing fleet, and the ethics of AI tools in business.