The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority awarded $800,000 in grants to beneficiary-servicing organizations across Alaska on Tuesday, June 18th. The grants support nonprofits, Tribal entities, and state and local government entities. Alaskans who experience mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and traumatic brain injuries will benefit from the grant.
CEO of the Trust, Steve Williams said in a press release on Wednesday, July 19th,
“The Trust’s grant program is designed to support Alaska’s continuum of care to help ensure timely access to services, and meaningful, self-directed lives for Alaskans with behavioral health conditions and intellectual and developmental. We appreciate our many partners, who are integral to our work to improve outcomes for Alaskans.”
Bethel Community Services received $82,000 in funds for the Bethel Youth Single Room Occupancy Project. The project will renovate a facility owned by the Bethel Community Services Foundation (BCSF) to create seven affordable housing units for homeless youth, or youth at risk of homelessness between ages 18-24. Housing vouchers will be provided through local behavioral health and social service providers. The Bethel Housing and Homelessness Coalition identifies youth homelessness as a priority. The project will fill a gap in housing for homeless youth, serving all beneficiaries.
The Arctic Slope Native Association (ANSA) received a $10,000 grant for their Youth Suicide Prevention and Response Training for First Responders Project. ANSA serves eight communities, Utqiagvik, Anaktuvuk Pass, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Point Hope, Point Lay, and Wainwright. These communities reported challenges related to responding to those in crisis. The Youth Suicide and Response Training for First Responders project will support training of first responders and volunteers including identification, intervention, prevention of suicide, and a community-based crisis intervention.
A grand total of 24 grants was awarded statewide including Anchorage, Juneau, Kodiak, Eagle River, and Wasilla. The statewide grants were awarded to the Concussion Legacy Foundation Inc, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators, and MapHabit Inc, totaling in $159,950. The grant is part of the Trust’s $20M annual grant program, which funds beneficiary-supporting programs and initiatives.
Photo at top: Behavioral Health Services and Bering Sea Women’s Group contacts in Nome
