This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 03/06/2026 02:47 PM AKST

Alaska Commission on Aging logo

Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act 

Paid Tribal Grant Writing Training - Deadline to Join is Today 

Native Movement shared that applications close today for the CCEEJ and CNNCTS Grant Writing Training Cohort (Google Form). Tribal leaders, staff, and professionals interested in strengthening grant writing capacity are encouraged to apply today.

The Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and Stewardship and the Center for Community Energy and Environmental Justice are partnering with Writing for Green to offer a 12-week training designed specifically for Tribes. Participants will build core grant writing skills including persuasive storytelling, proposal team workflow management, budget development, and evaluation planning.

The course begins mid-March and runs for 12 weeks. Expect about 1 hour of online class time and 1 to 2 hours of assignments per week. Instructor support and office hours will be available throughout. Participants who complete the course and submit a W8 or W9 form will receive a $500 stipend. All materials and sessions are in English.

Space is limited. Please submit your application today! For questions, contact pdawson@sdsu.edu. 

SDS E-Alert: Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act 

The Division of Senior and Disabilities Services is sharing this message on behalf of the Division of Public Assistance (DPA).

DPA is providing this update regarding a recent federal change that affects how certain Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) settlement trust dividends are treated for eligibility purposes. On July 7, 2025, the Alaska Native Settlement Trust Eligibility Act (H.R. 42) was signed into law. This law temporarily changes how qualifying ANCSA settlement trust payments are counted for Medicaid and other need-based programs.

What does this mean?

For five years, from July 7, 2025, through July 6, 2030, eligible ANCSA settlement trust payments:

  • Do not count as income in the month they are received
  • Do not count as a resource if retained

This exclusion is effective July 7, 2025.

Who does this change apply to?

  • An Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native, and
  • Aged (age 65 or older) or determined blind or disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Disability Determination Service (DDS)

Which programs does this apply to?

The exclusion applies to eligibility and benefit determinations for:

  • Adult Public Assistance (APA)
  • Heating Assistance Program (HAP)
  • Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP)
  • Aged, Disabled, and Long-Term Care (ADLTC) Medicaid, including cost of care calculations

Long-Term Care and Cost of Care:

If a Long-Term Care recipient experienced an increase in their cost of care due to an ANCSA dividend received on or after July 7, 2025, they may request a redetermination. The assigned DPA eligibility worker can review and make any necessary corrections. ANCSA dividends received before July 7, 2025, remain subject to prior policy.

Questions? For case-specific questions, please contact the assigned eligibility worker. For general policy questions, please email HSS.DPA.Policy@alaska.gov.

SDS E-Alert System Moving to New Platform 

The Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) is changing the delivery method for e-Alerts after this message. Future e-Alerts will be delivered via the GovDelivery system.

Most current e-Alert subscribers will be automatically enrolled to the new system – no action is required. However, it is possible that not everyone will be correctly transferred to GovDelivery.

A test of the new system will be conducted on Monday, March 9th to assess if the automatic transfer of subscriptions was successful. If you receive this e-Alert but DO NOT receive one on Monday, please use the following link to resubscribe: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/AKDHSS/subscriber/new.

Questions? Email doh.sds.info@alaska.gov

Public Comment: Rural Health Transformation Evaluation Due March 12 

The Alaska Department of Health has released draft RHTP Project Evaluation and Portfolio Analysis Review Frameworks for public comment. When finalized, these tools will be used to review individual project applications and collectively assess projects proposed for funding.

The public notice and draft materials are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice (OPN) system.

Comments must be received by 5:00 pm Alaska Time on March 12, 2026.

Learn more here.

NIH 2026 Dementia Care and Caregiving Research Summit March 17-19

The National Institute of Health's National Institute on Aging (NIA) 2026 Dementia Care and Caregiving Research Summit builds on progress of the previous Care Summits to review research progress, highlight innovative and promising research, and identify remaining unmet research needs with input from the research community, persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners, those who provide healthcare or services and supports to persons living with dementia, and other interest holders. The Summit will be held virtually on March 17-19, 2026 and is free to attend on Microsoft Teams.

JAHF Briefing: Opportunities to Transform Care for Rural Older Adults March 24

Join the John A. Hartford Foundation on March 24th at 10am AKT for a virtual, nonpartisan policy briefing exploring how the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) can expand access to age-friendly care and community-based support. The discussion will include:
  • A brief overview of rural aging across America
  • What the RHTP is, how it’s structured and how it directs states to use funds
  • How states and providers are using funds to expand access to age-friendly care
  • What policymakers can do to enhance, expand and monitor access to rural age-friendly care

Dually Enrolled Medicaid and Medicare Beneficiaries: Available Databases & Tools Webinar March 25

SAMHSA’s Center for Financing Reform and Innovation (CFRI) is hosting a webinar March 25th at 10am AKT to release a new report, "Dually Enrolled Medicaid and Medicare Beneficiaries: Publicly Available Databases and Tools to Improve Understanding and Provide Relevant Services." Individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare face unique health challenges, including high rates of chronic health conditions and barriers to accessing coordinated, high-quality care. Expanding research on this population can help strengthen service delivery and improve health outcomes while reducing costs.
The report maps publicly accessible data sources available to support research on individuals dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. The webinar will feature a panel discussion and Q&A session with national experts, offering perspectives on these data sources and how they can support better understanding of dually eligible individuals and inform data-driven decision-making efforts to improve care and outcomes for this population.
Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. If you would like to request an accommodation, such as a live American Sign Language interpreter, please email CenterForFinancingReformInnovations@westat.com with a brief description of your request. Please request reasonable accommodations at least 10 days before the webinar.

Free Older Adult & Caregiver Trainings in Ketchikan April 1-2

Mental Health First Aid for Older Adults is designed to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems experienced by adults over 65. We know direct care staff as well as spouses, partners or other family members do the majority of caregiving for older adults. Questions about this training? Please contact Jill Ramsey at jdramsey2@alaska.edu.
 
Dementia Care Skills workshop introduces participants to dementia; how it affects the brain, sensory system and visual range. Participants will discuss normal vs not normal aging traits. Questions about this training? Please contact Riki Chapman at racook@alaska.edu.
Learn more and register here.

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Grant Writing Workshop April 1-2

From 10am-2pm on April 1st and 2nd via Zoom, join AMHTA's free grant writing workshop with Denali Daniels + Associates. Individuals supporting grant writing and proposal development for organizations serving Alaska Mental
Health Trust Beneficiaries (prioritizing agency-based staff) should participate. 

Find more information on who qualifies as a Trust Beneficiary on the Trust Website.

Session 1: The "go/no-go" decision to apply
-Reviewing an opportunity for eligibility, capacity and mission relevance
-Organizing your process, establishing deadlines, and making decisions
-Building a grant writing plan and identifying roles and responsibilities

Session 2: Organizing a smooth grant writing process
-Preparing, Writing, + Submitting A proposal
-AI: Using Generative Content
-Positioning your grants for success

Bonus Session: Sustainability Planning
-Readiness + Defining Sustainability
-Funding alignment vs. mission creep
-Transition planning

Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium April 7-9 

Alaska Municipal League is hosting the 2026 Alaska Infrastructure Development Symposium in Anchorage this April. Registration here. Learn and understand Alaska’s Infrastructure needs and challenges, networking possibilities, and planning for the future. Work together with infrastructure experts, local, state and national officials to advance and strengthen infrastructure across Alaska.

As a clearinghouse of information and planning, the Infrastructure Symposium will feature updates from state and federal agencies, planning and implementation strategies, and focus on reporting and compliance. Sessions will focus on asset management, project development, and ways to overcome challenges related to the sustainability of these investments. Local and Tribal government officials are encouraged to attend, as well as other community-based organizations, utilities, contractors, and businesses.

Alaska Suicide Prevention Conference: Virtual April 22-23

The Alaska Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health is excited to announce the 2026 Alaska Suicide Prevention Conference, happening virtually April 22-23, 2026. This year's theme is Messages of Resilience: Breaking the Silence, Building Strength.

For any questions, check out the website or contact Lanisha Wuitschick at Lanisha.wuitschick@alaska.gov.

Senior Voice Alaska March Issue 

Read the Senior Voice March issue here. This month includes information on tax season scams to watch for, the Anchorage Genealogical Society's annual seminar in April, Anchorage senior transportation updates, Alaska Veterans Museum 15th anniversary, updates on Rural Health Transformation, and more. 

Free CDC Rural Public Health Training Self-Paced Online

Improving rural health requires practical solutions that reflect local needs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Rural Health has partnered with rural health experts and community representatives to develop specialized training for public health professionals to work with rural communities. CDC’s Rural Public Health Training consists of free, self-paced modules through CDC TRAIN.

The courses strengthen understanding of rural public health systems and deepen knowledge of the experiences of rural communities. Topics include an introduction to rural public health, partnering with rural communities for rural public health communications, and responding to public health emergencies. Proof of completion and free continuing education units (CEUs) are provided. Register today! For more information, contact ruralhealth@cdc.gov

US Department of Justice: Elder Justice Advocates Curriculum

Lifespan of Greater Rochester developed a curriculum for training elder abuse advocates. Here are materials you can use to offer this training in your community, as well as supplemental and evaluation materials. 

SAMHSA Recording: Leveraging the Skills of Older Adults and Tribal Elders to Strengthen the Crisis System Response

SAMHSA recently hosted a webinar on supporting older adults especially in tribal communities to strengthen the crisis system response. The webinar recording is available on Youtube.

Click here for the slideshow PDF. 

Alaska News

Cook Inlet Housing Authority plans 72-apartment complex for older people in Airport Heights

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.