"See Beyond the Stigma" in our latest campaign | |
Welcome to the latest Trust newsletter! We'll start things off with a look at our new "See Beyond the Stigma" campaign.
The Trust is committed to raising awareness about our beneficiaries, their needs, and the challenges they face. For many years, the Trust has devoted resources to addressing beneficiary stigma.
Stigma related to mental health conditions and disabilities is something we know affects our beneficiaries and those who care for them; it can get in the way of a job, housing, or necessary services for these individuals. To better understand how pervasive stigma is in Alaska, we recently put together a survey asking Alaskans how they might react to varying situations that might involve Trust beneficiaries. We used those results to guide the development of the "See Beyond the Stigma" campaign, intended to help Alaskan audiences better understand how seeing beyond stigma can promote better health and life outcomes for our beneficiaries.
We are sincerely grateful to all the beneficiaries and partners who contributed their voices to this effort. You'll be seeing these spots on TV and online for the next few months; we're hopeful that they'll make a meaningful difference amongst the individuals who - either knowingly or unknowingly - carry stigma with them in their experiences. Visit our website to watch these videos and learn more about the stories of our beneficiary partners.
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New Parcels Added to our Over the Counter Land Sale | |
Are you looking to buy land for a cabin, home, or business? We've recently added new inventory to our Over the Counter (OTC) land sale program. Parcels available through the OTC program are a fixed price and can be purchased immediately. Trust land sales are important because the Trust Land Office (TLO) manages Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority lands to maximize revenues, solely for the Trust and its beneficiaries. The revenue generated by the TLO supports the Trust Authority's work to improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries across Alaska. You can learn more and browse available parcels on the OTC Land Sale page.
Current OTC offerings are located in/near:
• Big Delta • Big Lake Area • Ester • Fox • Glennallen • Kasilof • Ketchikan • Kodiak • Meyers Chuck • Nenana • Skagway • Wrangell • Yakutat
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2024 Alaska Scorecard:
Tracking Progress in Behavioral & Disability Health
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The updated 2023 Alaska Scorecard has been released by the Alaska Department of Health. This data-driven report tracks how Alaskans are doing in accessing and benefiting from mental health services, highlighting key indicators like access to care, recovery, and overall well-being. The Scorecard aligns with Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan, Strengthening the System, which is developed by the State in partnership with the Trust.
The latest scorecard shows some good news, like Alaska is doing slightly better than the national average in developmental screenings for young children, and more Alaskans are receiving mental health care, and more care is being provided in home and community settings.
On the other hand, recent data in the scorecard indicate that many areas of our continuum of care still need attention. The gap between those needing and receiving treatment for substance use has widened. Alcohol-induced deaths are also a pressing issue. And, while emergency department visits for self-harm attempts have decreased slightly, the rate remains high; and suicide rates among young adults are particularly concerning.
The Alaska Scorecard is a valuable resource for anyone invested in improving mental and behavioral health outcomes for Alaskans. Download the Scorecard today, and learn more about Strengthening the System and the new DRAFT plan currently out for public comment.
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Ready to Get Outside?
Recreate on Trust Lands!
Looking to get out and experience Alaska? You can discover Trust lands with a General Permit, allowing for overnight recreational use, aircraft landing, motorized use (max. curb weight of 1,500 lbs.), and more. Purchasing a general permit is quick and easy; you can have your permit in-hand immediately following your online purchase. To get yours, visit:
alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/landpermits
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Grant Highlight: Ketchikan Reentry Housing Support | |
Trust funds will support reentry housing for Trust beneficiaries in Ketchikan being released from incarceration with the Department of Corrections. These Trust funds will be administered through the Ketchikan Wellness Coalition supported Reentry Coalition, which will be working with case managers to facilitate the reentry housing needs for Trust beneficiaries reentering the community.
Both Trust beneficiaries and our communities benefit when reentrants are successful and do not recidivate. By securing safe and affordable housing, reentrants are better stabilized in their community, which leads to improved participation in case management and treatment services. This stability also allows justice-involved beneficiaries to obtain employment and a wage, and eventually take over the funding of their housing needs. This grant aligns with the Trust's established Disability Justice focus area.
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Meet Michelle, Trust Partner & Beneficiary
Recently, we had the opportunity to meet Michelle at My House in the Mat-Su, a Trust partner that supports young Alaskans who are or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Michelle began her relationship with My House as a client, but now is an employee, co-hosting their Woman's Empowerment Group and working with youth. Through her job and her own experience, Michelle knows first hand how easy it is for people to forget about someone's capabilities.
She told us, "It often surprises people that (people) were homeless, struggled with mental health, or struggled with substance abuse, and then they see them a few years later and they're thriving. Sometimes people underrate those who struggle with mental health."
We love Michelle's words because Trust beneficiaries constantly show us what they're capable of, even in the face of obstacles. You can learn more about our beneficiaries' stories and experiences on our website.
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CALL FOR SPEAKERS OPEN:
2024 Trust Improving Lives Conference
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Are you interested in presenting at the upcoming Trust Improving Lives conference this fall? Our Call for Speakers is currently open through May 31, 2024. This year's conference themes are:
- Empowering Beneficiaries Through Self-Direction, Employment, Access to Care, and Advocacy
- Partnership and Integration as Pathways to Success
- Building Strength Through the Community-Based Service Model
Mark your calendars for the Improving Lives conference this September 17-18, 2024, in Anchorage. To learn more about the conference and to submit a presentation, visit our conference webpage: https://improvinglivesalaska.org.
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New Data Report Examining TABI and ADRD Populations
One way that the Trust can help catalyze system change is to analyze available data related to Trust beneficiaries. As such, we are excited to share the report Data Development for TABI and ADRD – An Informed Data Scan. Recognizing the need to better understand the availability of data about Trust beneficiaries experiencing Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury (TABI), and Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementia (ADRD), the Trust contracted the McKinley Research Group to complete a scan of the literature and conduct key informant interviews. The data scan identifies and describes available data, state and national data sources, data gaps and limitations, and data development needs specific to TABI and ADRD. To help inform data-driven decision-making in support of Trust beneficiaries, the report includes recommendations and prioritized data development components to improve Alaska’s system of care.
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Behavioral Health Crisis Response Update
For the latest in our work with the State and partners to improve our behavioral health crisis system of care in Alaska, be sure to read our latest newsletter on the topic on our web page. These brief reports share crisis service usage data, look at updates by community, and provide system-wide news. Find an archive of older editions on our crisis webpage.
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The next regular meeting of our board of trustees will be on May 22 and 23, 2024 in Ketchikan.
All regular board meetings include an opportunity for public comments, which can be provided in person or virtually. We'd love to hear from you.
Visit our website for more information about upcoming trustee board and committee meetings.
To stay up-to-date on issues important to Trust beneficiaries and those who care for them, you can also tune in to the meetings of our statutory partner boards:
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The Trust Announces New Proposal Development Resources
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In addition to serving as a grant-maker ourselves, the Trust can also support beneficiary-serving agencies in pursuing other (non-Trust) grant funding. We offer grant writing training and technical assistance, and are excited to announce two new proposal development resources.
1) We have begun posting a regularly updated Opportunity Report of federal, state, and foundation grant funding opportunities pertinent to organizations that serve and support Trust beneficiaries.
2) Starting this May 15, we will be offering a limited number of 30-minute one-to-one consultations for agency specific questions about proposal development. Registration is required.
You can learn more about all of our proposal development supports on our webpage linked below.
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Trust Names Recent Grant Recipients
The Trust awarded more than $1M in grants to beneficiary-serving organizations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. You can read more about them in our recent grant announcement and report.
“The Trust has a unique ability to fund projects and initiatives that positively impact the continuum of behavioral health and disability care in Alaska, and we appreciate the many partners who are working tirelessly to improve access to care and quality of life for our beneficiaries,” said Steve Williams, CEO of the Trust. “We are pleased that Trust can provide catalytic grant funding to improve access to behavioral health services, pilot new programs, grow and train our workforce, and build and renovate facilities to serve Trust beneficiaries.”
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