This Week's Updates
Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 12/19/2025 11:22 AM AKST
AK Rural Health Transformation Convening; SNAP Hot Foods Waiver Extended
ACoA Board Meeting Dec. 2 Recap
Thank you to everyone who attended our quarterly board meeting including all our great presenters, partners and advocates. You can view a recording of the meeting at these Zoom Cloud links: Part 1 and Part 2. Passcode: aLFi$4KZ. Meeting Minutes are linked here.
Our next board meeting is in Juneau on February 10th and will be able via Zoom as well. Stay tuned for details.
ACoA Free Community Webinar: Kinship Family Support Webinar Recording
Thank you to everyone who joined our free educational webinar yesterday on supports in Alaska for relatives raising children featuring Southeast Alaska's Kinship Navigator Program Haa Yatx’u Saani, Volunteers of America Alaska, and Generations United.
The Zoom recording is available here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/RB7ECedyBEslVuCCviL2L3KDcVqdj-flhonTrdUlld4L_F7o4s1yashpbNAkPQZo.…
Passcode: &F*78aZ*
Contact Haa Yatx'u Saani: kinsupport@southeastkin.org | 907-318-6560 and
Volunteers of America (VOA) Alaska: intake@voaak.org | 907-279-9640
ACoA Monthly Meeting January 6
ACoA is doing something new and you're invited! In between our quarterly board meetings, we will begin hosting monthly one-hour Zoom meetings beginning January 6th at 9am. We'll be checking in with commissioners on projects including the FY25 Annual Report and the 2025 Senior Snapshot. Public Notice here.
Join the meeting on January 6th at 9am using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86594583810
Save the Date: ACoA Advocacy Mastery Training with Teri Tibbett January 7 via Zoom
All are welcome! Learn how to be a champion advocate for FREE! This training will cover tips for meeting with policymakers and speaking at public testimony, how to follow the legislature, effective advocacy from home & more! There will be time designated for a working lunch. Join us 10am - 2pm via Zoom. Thank you to Teri Tibbett for making this possible.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eh3tGoDvT6GHpwVCFfEHWw#/registration
ACoA Webinar: Social Security Administration 101 on January 15
Alaska Department of Health: SNAP Hot Foods Waiver Extended to January 19
SNAP households now have temporary access to a hot foods waiver approved for Alaska. You can use your Quest Card to buy hot, ready-to-eat meals at SNAP-authorized grocery and convenience stores statewide. This waiver is in effect through Monday, January 19th, but may be extended if needed. Learn more and stay tuned: https://health.alaska.gov/en/services/division-of-public-assistance-dpa-services/snap-nutrition-assistance/
SDS E-Alert: Request for Information Complex Care Coordination and Services
The Alaska Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services are seeking input from community stakeholders, service providers, and individuals with lived experience navigating complex care needs across the state through a Request for Information. The goal is to better understand what tools, supports, and resources would be most useful to those delivering or coordinating complex care for Alaskans.
Please find the public notice with instructions on how to respond. Responses will be accepted until January 6, 2026.
Questions? Email fcs.complexcare@alaska.gov
2026 Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Convening
This multi-day event will equip health care and community organizations with the knowledge, partnerships, and tools needed to advance statewide planning and pursue Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
Wednesday, January 14 | Virtual Meeting
This virtual day is perfect for those who cannot travel or prefer to join online. You will learn about the Rural Health Transformation Program, understand the application process, and explore how your community can participate in regional health transformation efforts. Location: Virtual via Zoom
Thursday, January 15 - Friday, January 16 | In-Person Regional Planning
This in-person meeting is for you if you want to dive deeper into the Rural Health Transformation Program, engage with peers on regional planning, and explore IT vendor solutions that support healthcare transformation efforts. Location: Hilton Downtown Anchorage Hotel
Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate with health care partners, community organizations, regional leaders, and technical experts to build a shared understanding of Alaska’s Rural Health Transformation Program, support collaborative statewide planning, and prepare your organization to leverage transformational funding that reflects local priorities and solutions.
Admission tickets to the convening are free but pre-registration is required.
Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Allotments Program Extended Five Years
"On December 16, the Senate passed legislation extending the Alaska Native Vietnam Veteran Land Allotment Program for an additional five years. The extension comes just days before the program was set to expire.
Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, who have long championed the program, and Congressman Nick Begich, thanked their Senate colleagues today for passing the legislation."
The People Say - Alaska Opportunity
Alaska has a unique opportunity to join The People Say, a qualitative data platform featuring Older Americans talking about their lives and the policy issues that affect them. There is a co-funders call with the SCAN Foundation happening in January. If your organization, government entity, tribe or business is interested in learning more, please contact yasmin.radbod@alaska.gov.
Alaska Healthcare Innovation Accelerator Launches in January
Community Care Corps Grant Opening Soon
Dementia-Friendly America Holiday Toolkit
Emotions and nostalgia run high during the holiday season, often bringing a heightened awareness of how the stigma and lack of understanding surrounding dementia leaves us isolated and separated from the people and traditions we love.
But with some creativity, flexibility, and kindness, you can plan a dementia-friendly holiday gathering for your family, friends, or larger community. Learn how to gather with ALL people you care about, reduce social isolation, and take part in a new way of connecting and creating meaning.
Alaska Center Education Fund's Rise & Represent Alaska
ACEF is excited to officially invite you to a virtual information session for Rise & Represent Alaska (formerly known as Alaska Boards and Commissions Leadership Program) — a leadership development program designed to empower community-minded individuals to step into leadership and positively influence decision-making across Alaska.
Virtual Info Session: December 30th at 6pm via Zoom. Register Now!
This live, virtual info session will include:
- An overview of the Rise & Represent program, plus core goals
- A recap of the successful Cohort 1, including outcomes and impacts
- Vision and plans for Cohort 2
- What they're looking for in new participants
- A live Q&A for any questions you may have
Who Should Attend: Rise & Represent Alaska exists to help increase diverse, values-driven representation in leadership spaces. This program has a focus on municipal and state boards and commissions, but is also beneficial for other community decision-making bodies.
No Wrong Door: Person-Centered Counseling (PCC) Intensive Opportunity
The National No Wrong Door Resource Center is hosting a Person-Centered Counseling (PCC) Intensive! This three-part active discussion workgroup will bring together No Wrong Door leaders to discuss standardizing, formalizing, and sustaining PCC. Interested organizations should complete the form available at this link: No Wrong Door Person-Centered Counseling (PCC) Intensive Interest Form. This intensive is open to No Wrong Door state leaders and partner organizations.
Intensive Goals:
- Enhance knowledge and collaboration around evolving PCC at the state level
- Share best practices from a wide range of states/participants
- Inspire participants to take action to standardize, formalize, and sustain PCC in their states
- Highlight alignment with partner networks
Session Purposes:
- Session 1: PCC Defined (January 7th 10am-11:30am AKT)
- Review ACL: NWD Person-Centered Counseling Defined
- Define PCC, discuss key components and concepts, and self-reflect on the status of PCC in your state
- Session 2: PCC Policies (January 22nd 10am-11:30am AKT)
- Review ACL: NWD Person-Centered Counseling Policies
- Define what it means to have a fully robust system of PCC across your state and reflect on what you need to get there
- Session 3: PCC Training (February 4th 10am-11:30am AKT)
- Review ACL: NWD Person-Centered Counseling Training
- Provide an overview of PCC training options and hear from a panel of states that use different approaches
If you have questions about participation or want to learn more, please reach out to NoWrongDoor@lewin.com.
American Society on Aging Free Webinars
Sponsored by Right at Home.
Jan. 14 | 9am AKT
Sponsored by Home Instead.
Feb. 4 | 9am AKT
Sponsored by Right at Home.
Feb. 11 | 9am AKT
CMS Seeks Participants in Health Technology Ecosystem Initiative
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking health providers, payers, patient-facing application and electronic health record (EHR) developers, and states to join its effort to enhance interoperability and collaboration within the health care sector. Patients, caregivers, and organizations also have opportunities to provide input into this effort.
Those interested and eligible can review the category descriptions and sign up through a participation form. Early adopters include EHR and artificial intelligence assistant developers, payers, health systems and providers, and data networks.
Organizations and individuals that cannot participate directly still may be able to join as patients, caregivers, or as Friends of the Ecosystem who “work alongside the pledgees to provide support, feedback, and/or technology that assists pledgees in successfully delivering on their pledge.”
New CMS LEAD Model Aims to Expand Access to Accountable Care, Improve Health Outcomes
The Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model is the Innovation Center’s next Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model that will focus on reaching more health care providers who have not joined ACOs, while providing care for patients, including those with high needs, such as dual eligibles and those who are homebound or home limited.
LEAD’s improved benchmarking methodology and other design features will support smaller, independent, or rural-based practices and those who serve patients with more complex challenges that have faced financial and administrative obstacles to being in ACOs previously.
LEAD is a 10-year model that will begin January 1, 2027; ACOs can apply to participate in LEAD by responding to a Request for Applications, which will become available beginning in March 2026.
LEAD advances on the Innovation Center’s commitment to 1) building opportunities for independent health care providers and practices to be rewarded for delivering better care; 2) promoting and empowering patient choice in both coverage and sites of care; and 3) making it easier for health care providers and patients to engage in preventative care that supports healthier living.
Find out more:
The SCAN Foundation: The Need for Long-Term Care Financing in the United States
To advance long-term care financing policy, TSF partnered with LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston and ATI Advisory on an interactive database that provides information on public and private-market policy solutions from the past three decades. The Interactive Compendium of Federal LTSS Financing Policy Options makes it easier for policymakers and policy influencers to access, compare, and evaluate existing ideas—helping to accelerate informed debate and drive meaningful action.
Aging News
Thousands of U.S. farmers have Parkinson’s. They blame a deadly pesticide.
Wound Care Scheme Yields Long Prison Sentences
Six Midlife Depressive Symptoms Tied to Dementia
Comedy icon Dick van Dyke celebrates turning 100: "I still try to dance"
High-fat cheese, cream linked to lower risk of dementia: Study
100-year-old toymaker turns Garden Grove garage into holiday storefront (CA)
Disclaimer: The information and announcements included in this email are being redistributed for informational purposes only. Our agency does not necessarily endorse or support the views, opinions, or activities of these organizations, and inclusion in this email does not imply any affiliation or recommendation.