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April 16, 2021 Resource Bulletin |
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Miss our last email? Past e-bulletins are posted in the left column on both the ABADA and AMHB websites. |
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Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment & Recovery
It is important to approach things one day at a time and to care for all our health concerns such as substance misuse.
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Homelessness and Harm Reduction in the Time of COVID–19
April 20th, 10:30am-12:00pm AKDT
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Substance Misuse program is hosting this training to share information about Alaska’s high incidence rates of homelessness, how homelessness impacts the Alaska Native population, the importance of harm reduction for people experiencing unstable housing conditions, and how we can improve our services to the homeless community in Alaska.
To register for this training please go to:
https://www.iknowmine.org/harm-reduction-trainings/
Alternatives and Adjuncts to MAT
April 22, 12:00-12:30pm AKDT
Project ECHO and the ANTHC Behavioral Health partnered to develop a virtual learning network focused on improving delivery of medicine for addiction. If you miss a training, recordings will be posted. For questions email: behavioralhealth@anthc.org
Click here to learn more and to register:
https://anthc.org/project-echo/addiction-medicine-echo/
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
April 24, 10:00am-2:00pm AKDT
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of prescription drug disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for misuse of medications.
To learn more or to find a participating location near you, click here:
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
Voices Rising: Peer Support Conference
May 5-7, 9:00am-1:00pm AKDT
The State of Alaska Department of Behavioral Health and the Alaska Mental Health Trust is hosting this free virtual conference with the hope to provide inspiration for this ever-growing workforce, create opportunities to meet and interact, and to learn and gather continuing education credit for Peer Certification. This conference will offer opportunities to interact with peers and peer organizations, recovery-related topics, and statewide updates related to peer programs and certification.
To learn more or register, go here: https://aktclms.org/Training/Class/104173
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Suicide Prevention & Postvention
Managing our mental health, substance use, and healthy relationships is important.
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Promoting Hope & Connectedness: Preventing Suicide in Alaska
April 20, 9:00am-1:00pm AKDT
The State of Alaska Division of Behavioral Health in cooperation with the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council and the ANTHC are hosting a one-day suicide prevention conference open to the public. For more information email monica@goveventservices.com
To register, please visit this link: https://voices-of-prevention-5.webnode.com/registration/
‘Out of Darkness’ Fundraising Walk in Fairbanks
April 24, 10:00-11:00am AKDT
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Alaska Chapter is hosting this event at the Lathrop High School Track in Fairbanks. This is their first-ever hybrid community in-person walk and virtual program. Registration is free and open to the public.
For more information, email Lindsay.afsp@gmail.com, or call, (907) 378-1335.
Suicide Deaths Fell in 2020 According to Preliminary Government Data
The number of U.S. suicides fell nearly 6% last year amid the coronavirus pandemic — the largest annual decline in at least four decades, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. suicides steadily rose from the early 2000s until 2018, when the national suicide rate its highest level since 1941. The rate finally fell slightly in 2019. Official data for 2020 deaths by suicide in Alaska will be released this fall.
For more information, visit: https://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/the-mix/us-suicides-dropped-last-year-defying-pandemic-expectations-3616476
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Alaska Careline
For someone to talk to, call anytime:
1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863
3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat
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Mental Health
The relationship between our immune system and mental health is always important to consider, especially for people with pre-existing mental and physical health conditions.
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Alaska Wellness Coalition (AWC) Coffee Klatch
May 6, 9:30-10:30am AKDT (1st Thursday of every month)
Grab your favorite mug and hot drink and join this open space to connect more deeply about all things AWC. The format is open, and everyone is welcome to join. For questions, email Stephanie at stephanie@gsquared.solutions.
To join the meeting, click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84766950882?pwd=b0szQXovd2k1RFhmSkVpUFE4cmpxQT09
Meeting ID: 847 6695 0882, Passcode: 907, One tap mobile: 1-253-215-8782
Safe Alaskans Mindfulness Course
May 4-25, 6:00-7:00pm AKDT
This four-week course is an introduction to mindfulness meditation practice intended to foster community, education and practice to work with stress, anxiety or conflict. The course is intended to give students a “mindfulness toolbox” and foster a greater sense of self and inner knowledge, and is appropriate for all levels of learners.
For more information and to complete the introductory survey, click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9BMXX9G
Managing Depression & Anxiety: Role of Medication
May 12, 6:00pm AKDT
Alaska Behavioral Health hosts Dr. Wengel for a discussion on the uses and limitations of psychiatric medications in the treatment of anxiety, depression and other common mental health disorders.
Dr. Wengel completed medical school in south Texas. He went on to a general psychiatry residency at Brooke Army Medical Center, the Veterans Administration and University Health Systems before completing a child and adolescent fellowship at San Antonio State Hospital and Clarity Child Guidance Center. He strives to help every child and adult live their fullest life and takes a team approach to providing care.
To register, click here: https://akbh-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JhnSj9OhS26BwErfZKTTtw
Webinar Series: Foundations of Prevention Science, The Risk of Protective Factor Framework
May 6, 13, 20, 2021 11:00am-12:30pm AKDT
Join Kevin Haggerty, the Director of the Northwest PTTC, and John Briney, Research Scientist and Data Manager, for a deeper dive into risk and protective factors for healthy youth development – what they are, why they’re important, and how to measure them at the community level. For more information and to register for each session, click below.
May 6-Risk Factors: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zg4m-AeYSqCwSrii56zucA
May 13-Protective Factors: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CK9xfyH4SrqrV-mpdUHfSg
May 20-Measuring Risk and Protective Factors for Your Community: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CK9xfyH4SrqrV-mpdUHfSg
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Alaska Careline
For someone to talk to, call anytime:
1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863
3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Many individuals with FASD have a high rate of pre-existing health conditions and often rely on the help of others. Below are resources for individuals and their caregivers.
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FASD and the Justice System: A Better Understanding
April 21, 10:00-10:45am AKDT
The FASD Justice Committee, an independent group of justice system professionals and FASD experts from across Canada, aims to improve outcomes for people with FASD involved in the justice system by sharing accurate, credible, and unbiased information through their website fasdjustice.ca. This presentation will offer an overview of the resources within the website.
To register click here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fasd-and-the-justice-system-a-better-understanding-tickets-150325717267
Spotlight on Learning Challenges with Deb Evensen
May 5, 6:30-8:00pm AKDT
Alaska Center for Resource Families is hosting a 7-part webinar series for caregivers, family members, foster parents, and service professionals, and explores the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure in individuals across the lifespan, from infancy through adulthood.
To register, and review the upcoming topics, click here: https://www.acrf.org/self-study/fasd-across-the-lifespan
FASD Into Action Virtual Training
May 8 and 15, 9:00am-5:00pm AKDT
Stone Soup Group will offer this specialized two day training that includes an overview of what are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), associated behaviors, and positive techniques for dealing with those behaviors.
To learn more and register click here: https://www.stonesoupgroup.org/event/fasd-into-action-5/2021-05-15/
Alaska Center for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
This website offers resources about FASD, and links to the campaign, Let's Talk FASDak which aims to provide more information to Alaskans about prenatal alcohol exposure, research, videos, trainings, and patient treatment resources.
To learn more, go here: https://alaskacenterforfasd.org/
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Justice Involved
What support do people have when they are in an institution? What about supporting them when they return to the community? This section is for topics like these and more.
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Webinar: Eight Guiding Principles for Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice
This GAINS Center webinar includes information on SAMHSA’s “Eight Guiding Principles,” with a specific focus on integrated physical and behavioral healthcare and case management services. There are links to other online SAMHSA webinars related to criminal justice and behavioral health in the right column of this page.
To watch the webinar, go to:
https://youtu.be/oS366yhPqjo
Second Chance Month, U.S. Proclamation
April 2021 was recently proclaimed Second Chance Month to highlight the nation’s effort to reduce recidivism through supporting justice-involved returning to their communities and making meaningful contributions.
To read the proclamation click here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/31/a-proclamation-on-second-chance-month-2021/
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Other Resources/Opportunities
If you are an agency or an individual with a great resource or opportunity, send us an email and we'll try our best to include it here or in a section above.
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Public Comment Opportunity- Behavioral Health Medicaid Services Transition
Comments Due April 22 by 5:00pm AKDT
The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to change regulations on Medicaid services to comply with the state’s corrective action plan with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The plan includes the repeal of specific behavioral health rehabilitative services from current regulations and transition to 1115 waiver services. Comments can be submitted by mail to Ms. Allison Weeks, State of Alaska, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503 or to allison.weeks@alaska.gov.
The public notice for this change is here: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=201757
Alaska Work Matters Taskforce Podcast
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development recently started a new podcast series. In a recent interview, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Director Duane Mayes shared information about how 24 representatives from across state government are meeting with Alaskans and Alaskan businesses to improve employment outcomes for Alaskans with disabilities. The partnership is called the Alaska Work Matters Taskforce and AMHB/ABADA are members.
To hear about this important work, please go to: https://labor.alaska.gov/podcasts/index.html
Living Well- I Have Right Webinar
April 29, 1:00-2:00 pm AKDT
Alaska’s Senior and Disabilities Services and the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education present this event for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to know more about their rights. Specifically relating to access to services, making personal choices, community participation, respect and dignity, an individual’s privacy, personal safety, and work choices. For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact Jess Doherty at jessie.doherty@alaska.gov.
Register for the event here: https://ticketbud.com/events/cd0b6420-9278-11eb-b67a-42010a717011
FCC Announces Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)
The FCC announced the Emergency Broadband Benefit program will begin accepting applications at the end of April. This program will provide temporary relief for COVID-19 related broadband costs. Households could be eligible for up to $50/month for broadband expenses ($75/month for services on tribal lands) and a one-time discount for up to $100 toward a laptop, desktop or tablet to be used on the same broadband network. Assistance will be provided until funds are exhausted or six months following the end of the federal disaster declaration.
Specific eligibility guidelines, participating providers and information on how to enroll can be found at: GetEmergencyBroadband.org
Trust Legislative Conference
Every Friday through end of session, 12:15-1:15pm AKDT
These meetings are non-partisan and intended as informational about bills and budget items that impact Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries (people with mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, and traumatic brain injury). The meeting is an opportunity for beneficiaries, family members, providers of services, administrators, and agency staff, to track bills and ask questions about legislation and the legislative process. For more information email advocacy.coordinator@mhtrust.org, call 907-465-4765.
To visit the Trust Joint Advocacy site click here:
https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/alaska-mental-health-trust-authority/advocacy/joint-advocacy/
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Questions? Comments? 
