This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 01/30/2026 02:40 PM AKST

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Anchorage Senior Commission Openings

ACoA February Quarterly Meeting 

Our next quarterly board meeting is in-person in Juneau and via Zoom on February 10th from 9am-2:15pm and February 12th 8am-11am. Public Notice, including the agenda, available here. 

The ACoA Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report and the 2025 Senior Snapshot, our annual data report, will be released in February! Stay tuned. 

ACoA Legislative Priorities this Session

Our legislative priorities this legislative session include: 

  • Passing HB255 Senior PFD Raffle Bill
  • Passing SB190 Guardianship / Conservatorship 
  • Passing SB124 / HB131 Nursing Licensure Compact 
  • Increasing Funding to Non-Medicaid Senior Services
  • Supporting the Governor's budget for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's Senior Citizens Housing Development Program
  • Considering Guidehouse Long Term Support Services (LTSS) Rate Review Recommendations 

We will share more details in our next e-blast.

Governor Dunleavy: New AHFC Senior Housing

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's new senior housing was included in the Governor's State of the State Fact Sheet last week. 

Click here for a transcript of the Governor's speech.

Click here to view the speech's fact sheet.

If you are not on the Governor's press release and newsletter lists, here is how to subscribe: https://gov.alaska.gov/contact/subscribe/

Senior Benefits Program Reduction Begins February 1 

Many seniors have already reported receiving notification letters in the mail that read, for example: 

"Effective February 1, 2026, your Senior Benefits payment will change from $125 per month to $76 per month. This change aligns the payment amount with the available state general fund appropriation for the Senior Benefits program. This action is supported by State Regulations at 7 AAC 47.570 and 7 AAC 47.563."

This reduction in Senior Benefits payments is the result of insufficient general fund appropriations in the FY26 state budget, not a new law or policy change. While the Senior Benefits Program remains authorized in statute, benefit levels are dependent on annual legislative funding. When appropriated funds are not sufficient to pay full benefits for the entire fiscal year, state regulations require the Department of Public Assistance to adjust monthly payments so available funds can be spread across all eligible recipients. As a result, payments were reduced mid-year to align with the enacted FY26 general fund appropriation. Restoring full benefits would require a supplemental appropriation approved by the Legislature.
Seniors, families, and advocates who are concerned about the reduction are encouraged to contact their state legislators and ask for a supplemental appropriation and/or increased funding in the next budget cycle to restore full Senior Benefits payments.

Anchorage Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Openings

SCAC has three openings for commissioners, 3-year term. The commission meets the 4th Wednesday of the month except for November and December (3rd Wednesday)​. The purpose of the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission is to:
  • Advise the Mayor, the Assembly and appropriate department heads with respect to aspects of aging which bear upon the welfare of senior citizens;
  • Conduct surveys and compile and disseminate results for the benefit of senior citizens. This includes information on housing, health, nutrition, transportation, education, recreation, legal services and social/mental health services;
  • Carry out educational and public relations programs designed to create public awareness of the needs of senior citizens and the community services which senior citizens can provide;
  • Assist and provide programs that alert elderly persons of the resources and services available to them.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm​ at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, 1300 E.19th Avenue and on Zoom (commissioners have option to join virtually).
Learn more here.
Where to apply: https://onboard.muni.org/board/2893 
If you have questions, email Laura: laura.s.baldwin@anchorageak.gov

AARP Alaska: Share Your Story 

Please share your story and feedback on the below topics of Senate Bill 190 with AARP Alaska. Email tholt@aarp.org preferably by February 6th (and Feb. 13th at the latest).

  • Clarity and Transparency: The bill simplifies guardianship, conservatorship, and minor guardianship processes, making them easier to understand for families and legal professionals. It also ensures transparency by requiring the disclosure of criminal and credit histories for potential guardians and conservators.  
  • Updated Terminology: Several terms have been updated to reflect societal changes regarding recognizing the dignity of all people.  For example, the terms "ward" and “incapacitated person,” “disabled person,” are replaced with a more respectful and empowering terms such as “individual under guardianship” or “respondent.”  
  • Increased Protections for Adults: The bill strengthens protections for adults in guardianship proceedings with more robust petitions, notices, and reports. Guardians and conservators are required to submit annual reports for continued oversight by the courts. It expands what must be included in a guardianship plan to ensure that the individual’s specific needs are being addressed, and the guardian is fulfilling their duties. It ensures that plans evolve as an individual and their needs change over time. The bill also changes “temporary” guardianships to “emergency” to better reflect the need for urgency without compromising due process and limits the duration to 60 days.  
  • Conservatorship Changes: The bill ends the practice of putting property titles in the conservator's name, ensuring the individual keeps their property while still receiving the necessary help and supervision. 
  • Less Restrictive Alternatives: The bill allows courts to create flexible protective arrangements tailored to the individual’s needs, such as supported decision-making agreements, rather than assuming a full guardianship is always required.  
  • Combatting Abuse and Exploitation: Enhances safeguards against abuse and exploitation by expanding notification requirements for guardianship appointments, prohibiting guardians from restricting communication with family and friends without court authorization.

BFit & Well Open House Feb 7

Join BFit & Well non-profit senior gym for their Anchorage Open House February 7th, 10am - 2pm. Tour their fitness and brain health center and learn about their older-adult programs. Learn more here.

Alaska RHTP Application Informational Webinar Feb 10

The Alaska Department of Health (DOH) invites you to an informational webinar on February 10, 2026 focused on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and the upcoming application process.

RHTP is a multi-year federal investment to strengthen rural health care across Alaska. Funding will support community-based and system-level projects aimed at improving access, workforce capacity, and care delivery statewide.

During the webinar, DOH will:

  • Share an overview of Alaska’s approach to implementing the RHTP
  • Introduce the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) as Alaska’s RHTP subrecipient administrator
  • Walk through what organizations can expect from the application process and portal
  • Outline near-term timelines and next steps
  • Answer questions from participants

Tuesday, February 10th, 1pm-2pm. Register for the RHTP webinar.

Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance to rhtp@alaskacf.org. Common questions will be addressed during the webinar.

This webinar is intended for health care providers, Tribes and Tribal Health Organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, workforce and education partners, and others interested in participating in RHTP.

We encourage you to attend and to share this invitation with colleagues who may be interested.

Subrecipient Administrator: Alaska Community Foundation (ACF):

The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) has been selected as the subrecipient administrator for RHTP. ACF is an Alaska-based philanthropic organization with deep roots and connections across the state. As the subrecipient administrator, ACF will manage the application process, support organizations as they apply, distribute funds to approved projects, and provide ongoing administrative support and reporting assistance over the life of the program.

Alaska Health Fairs: Spring Schedule Now Live 

Visit www.alaskahealthfair.org for details. As always, walk-ins are welcome at all events, and online appointments are available as well. 

New this season: Free Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA) blood tests are available at all events, thanks to a partnership with Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation and Alaska Men's Run. If you know a man over 40, this is the perfect opportunity, no appointment needed, just walk in. Read more about it here.
February 6th at the Sullivan Arena hockey game is their first appearance of the season featuring PSA screenings. If you are planning on attending the game, come and talk to AHF volunteers and staff, learn about upcoming events, volunteering, exhibiting and everything else health- and wellness-related!
Questions? Please call at (907) 278-0234 Anchorage/Statewide, (907) 374-6853 in Fairbanks and Tanana Valley, (907) 723-5100 in Southeast.

Senior and Disabilities Services: Accepting Proposals for Full Lives Conference April 16-17 in Anchorage

The 25th Annual Full Lives Conference is seeking proposals for break-out sessions inspired by this year's theme: "Honor. Celebrate. Advocate.” Submissions should use evidence-based best practices to motivate and educate professionals working with Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority beneficiaries: people who need support due to behavioral health, developmental disabilities, substance misuse, Alzheimer's and related dementia, and traumatic brain injuries. Each presentation will have a 60 or 90-minute time frame. Completed proposal applications must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, February 23, 2026.

To submit a session proposal: https://form.jotform.com/252867108096970

Audience: Full Lives participants may include direct support professionals, direct service providers, care coordinators, case managers, mental health clinicians and to a lesser degree, individuals (beneficiaries) or families receiving services. The focus of Full Lives is on the workforce audience that supports Trust beneficiaries.

Conference details can be found here.       

Questions? Please email SDSTraining@alaska.gov

Fairbanks 50+ Art and Science of Aging Summit May 7-8 Proposals Open

The Fairbanks at 50+ Art & Science of Aging Summit will open with the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Senior Recognition Day Luncheon on Thursday, May 7th and continue through Friday, May 8th. Details here.
Please use this form to apply as an Exhibitor during the May 7th and/or 8th events. They are seeking a wide variety of exhibitors for the resource fair and are especially interested in interactive activities. The focus of exhibits and activities should inspire, inform, or otherwise assist people as we age. 

Alaska Native Heritage Center: Elder Marge Spotlight 

This fall, Native Report - PBS North was hosted at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Their team interviewed beloved Elder in Residence, Margaret Nakak (Iñupiat, Yupiit).
For more than 25 years, Marge has shared her stories, wisdom, and teachings with visitors from around the world who stop by ANHC. You can watch her interview which was featured in “Moment with the Elders” on Native Report, Season 21, Episode 1.

HFC: Stay on Top of Alzheimer's Policy

This live Alzheimer’s policy tracker is powered by Quorum, a tool used by advocacy pros to monitor bills and legislative action shaping Alzheimer’s research, care, and caregiver support in real time. Stay informed and see what US lawmakers are advancing now. Thanks to Hilarity for Charity. 

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.