Trust Grants More than $1.1M to Organizations Across Alaska

ANCHORAGE—The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (The Trust) has awarded over $1,145,000 in grants to organizations across the state in the third quarter of fiscal year 2019.

The Trust grants, on average, $20 million a year to Alaska organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries, including various nonprofits, state agencies and projects that promote long-term system change and/or innovative projects that improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. Grants are awarded throughout the year.

“With Trust grant funds, our aim is to improve the lives of our beneficiaries,” said Mike Abbott, CEO of the Trust. “We are proud to work with our community partners and, in many cases, funding partners to support these important projects.”

Among the recipients of grants awarded in the third quarter of FY 2019:

Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, Inc. (AWAIC)

Safe Spaces Expansion and Renovation: $50,000

Trust funds will help to increase AWAIC’s capacity and ability to provide services at their current 52-bed emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. Approximately 60% of those receiving services at AWAIC are Trust beneficiaries. This grant will help support AWAIC’s expansion project to increase the number of beds by 15, add space for direct service advocates and case managers to meet with participants, provide more work space for staff and increase space for donation sorting as well as intake rooms. Services provided at AWAIC include safe shelter, food and clothing, case management and access to additional supportive services throughout our community.

Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Inc.

King Cove Elder Center Start-up: $36,675

Trust funds will help support the start-up of an Elder Center in King Cove, Alaska. This center will provide local Elders, including Trust beneficiaries, the opportunity to get out of their homes on a regular basis, socialize with friends and others in the community and have regular contact with health care providers. The Elder Center Program will include daily hot lunches, social, recreational, and health education activities, engagement with youth and transportation to the facility. This project supports area Trust beneficiaries, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, Elders struggling with substance use and addiction and Elders who are dealing with depression due to social isolation, inactivity and lack of connection to cultural activities.

Anchorage School District

Suicide Awareness and Prevention Materials: $15,000

Trust funds will help ASD with materials to deliver youth suicide prevention training to all the staff, faculty, and youth within their high schools through the evidenced-based practice of Question, Persuade, and Refer, coupled with peer-to-peer training. This project aims to train approximately 10,000 high school aged youth in the next year.

thread Alaska

Early Childhood Expulsion & Suspension in Alaska (Research & Strategic Planning): $20,000

Trust funds will support the establishment of baseline data relating to early childhood expulsion and suspension rates as a key indicator of early childhood health and a strong predictor of mental health outcomes later in life. These data are needed for informed planning related to the Trust’s development of early intervention and prevention strategies to help keep Alaskans, whenever possible, from becoming Trust Beneficiaries.