This Week's Updates
Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 03/20/2026 09:20 AM AKDT
ACoA Monthly Meeting April 8
ACoA Monthly Meeting April 8 via Zoom
You are welcome to join the commission for our monthly meeting April 8 1pm-2pm using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85634710964. Public Comment is at 1:45pm.
The meeting agenda is available on Public Notice.
ACoA Community Webinar: Social Security 101 April 7
Please join us for our second webinar with Nathan Cole, Social Security Administration Regional Public Affairs Specialist on Social Security 101. Do you have questions you need answered? Please email those to us at doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov
The SSA webinar is April 7th via Zoom from 12pm to 1:30pm. The last 30 minutes is for Q&A. These webinars are not recorded or publicly shared.
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84182410973
ACoA Legislative Priorities
Our priorities this legislative session include:
- Pass HB255 / SB240 Senior PFD Raffle Bill
- Pass SB190 Guardianship / Conservatorship
- Pass SB124 / HB131 Nursing Licensure Compact
- Increase Non-Medicaid Senior Services Funding
- Support the Governor's budget for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's Senior Citizens Housing Development Fund
- Review Guidehouse Long Term Support Services (LTSS) Rate Review Recommendations
You can view ACoA's detailed Legislative Priorities packet here.
Additional Legislation ACoA Supports
HB244: This bill proposes strengthening standards for certified nurse aide (CNA) training programs by adding requirements under AS 08.68.331(c). Training must ensure CNAs can:
- Provide safe, competent client care
- Build relationships and communicate effectively
- Show sensitivity to clients’ emotional, social, and mental health needs
- Assist clients toward independence while upholding their rights, dignity, and values
- Observe, monitor, and report changes in a client’s condition
- Use effective communication, including with clients experiencing Alzheimer’s, dementia, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities
- Implement problem-solving, assessment skills, and best practices in care planning
- Demonstrate knowledge of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and activities of daily living (e.g., eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting)
SB21: An Act establishing the Alaska Work and Save Program and the Alaska Retirement Savings Board.
HB133: This bill mandates that the State of Alaska make timely payments to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and tribal entities for approved grants, contracts, and reimbursements, bringing these groups in line with the prompt payment protections already afforded to private contractors.
ACoA also supports the Social Work Licensure Compact, the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
Save the Date: Statewide Summit on Aging this October
You're invited! Please join us this fall, either virtually or in-person at Turnagain Social Club in Anchorage for the first Statewide Summit on Aging October 15-17. Continuing education credits available. Stay tuned for more information!
Interested in sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities? Please email us at doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov
Note: we have combined forces with the Aging and Disability Summit traditionally held at Special Olympics to bring you this Summit on Aging.
Other Current Legislature Bills Affecting Older Alaskans
SB237: Under current law, getting a replacement Social Security card requires traveling to a Social Security office in Fairbanks, Anchorage, or Juneau, or mailing sensitive identification documents to one of those offices. Although an online application process exists, Alaska law must be updated before residents can use it. SB237 makes specific legal changes needed to allow Alaskans to apply for a new Social Security card online. No additional personal information would be shared outside the federal government, and no new data would be retained under this law.
SB104: This bill builds on the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act, passed by the 28th Legislature in 2014, which created Transfer on Death Deeds for real property. SB104 expands the same concept to include boats, vehicles, and manufactured homes registered with the DMV. A Transfer on Death Deed is a non‑testamentary legal tool that allows assets to pass to beneficiaries without going through the expensive and time‑consuming probate process. SB104 has passed the Senate floor and is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Transportation Committee. The proposal was developed in response to input from older Alaskans and family attorneys seeking faster, simpler ways to resolve probate matters.
House Finance Committee Recording
On March 11th, public testimony was received in the House Finance Committee regarding HB263: the Operating Budget, and HB265: the Mental Health budget. Review the recording here.
AFN: Virtual Honors Ceremony Available for Alaska Native Veterans
The Alaska Federation of Natives proudly highlights a unique and honorable program that recognizes Alaska Native veterans and their families. The initiative was born of Robert "Bob" Jones, Commander of the Elk's Lodge Honor Guard, who has a deep respect for Alaska Native culture and patriotism, and recognizes that many Alaska Native veterans have not received the final honors they so deserve. This program ensures that honorably discharged veterans, as well as the families and friends of fallen heroes, are given the opportunity to hold a meaningful memorial or celebration of life at no cost.
At the heart of the program is the complete “Honors Ceremony,” professionally filmed and provided on a thumb drive. The ceremony includes the reading of the Veteran’s Prayer, a ceremonial saber arch, the traditional 21-rifle salute, cadence, and the playing of bugle taps—performed in “Echo” by two horns. The ceremony concludes with a powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung in both Yup'ik and English by Yup'ik singer Christina Nina Cup'lua'rag, honoring cultural heritage and sacrifice.
Each package includes a ceremonially folded 5' x 9' interment or casket flag, three brass cartridges from the gun salute symbolizing duty, honor, and service, and detailed presentation instructions—such as integrating storytelling and potlatch traditions. Families are also provided with information on how to have their veteran’s name engraved on the Memorial Wall in Wasilla, Alaska.
The entire program is financed by “Honor Guard” raffles and sales. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Honor Guard Corporation welcomes tax-deductible donations to ensure this program remains freely available to those who have served and their loved ones. If you are interested in obtaining the Honors Ceremony please contact Bob Jones.
This program stands as a testament to the enduring values and gratitude of Alaska’s Native peoples, ensuring that the legacy and sacrifices of Alaska Native veterans are honored for generations to come.
SAGE LGBTQ+ Aging Training Begins March 23
Organizations are invited to join SAGECare’s 2026 LGBTQ+ Aging Training Cycle, running from March 23 through December 4. Eligible Aging and Disability Network partner organizations can access a set of on‑demand training courses at no cost. To participate, your organization must complete a single Training Enrollment form. The primary contact you designate will receive access instructions after eligibility is verified.
Your staff will complete courses through individual accounts on SAGECare’s online learning platform. This year’s offerings include Supporting LGBTQ+ Older Adults, Asking Inclusive Intake Questions (updated for 2024), and a new 2026 course, Caring for Those Who Care. Staff may take as many courses as they wish, though only one per calendar year counts toward a credential.
Your organization can earn a 2026 SAGECare Credential once 50% of employees complete at least one course during the training cycle. SAGECare tracks completions automatically, and credentials are issued within 30 days of meeting the requirement. Access remains open until December 4, and extensions are not expected. If you have already completed certain courses, you may request a reset.
Live webinars are no longer included in the free program but remain available through SAGECare’s fee‑for‑service model. For questions or if you do not receive your access instructions within four weeks of submitting the enrollment form, you can contact SAGECareLMS@sageusa.org.
Dementia Care in Alaska ECHO: Next Webinar March 24
Dementia Care in Alaska ECHO next virtual session is the topic "Barriers and Pathways in Dementia Care: Navigating Alaska’s Systems, Gaps, and Realities."
Join the Dementia Care in Alaska ECHO, a free interactive virtual learning series focused on improving dementia care across Alaska. Each session includes a short didactic and case-based discussion addressing real world challenges such as access to care, communication strategies, and caregiver support. Open statewide, sessions are recorded for on demand access and offer free continuing education for those who attend live.
Send an email to chdecho@alaska.edu if you have any questions or would like to receive more information about this ECHO series.
Center for Medicare Advocacy: Lessons Learned and the Way Forward Webinar March 25
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), the organization's Founder and former Executive Director Judy Stein, and other staff will host this webinar March 25th at 10am AKT on lessons learned and work still to be done to improve access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Click here to register.
NAPSA Fraud Recovery: The Missing Layer of Prevention Webinar March 26
You are invited to join an important discussion with National Adult Protection Services Association on March 26th at 8:30am AKT covering the often‑overlooked phase that follows online fraud: recovery. While prevention remains essential, many individuals are left to manage the financial, emotional, and social consequences of cybercrime on their own. This session will address the critical gap in post‑fraud support and highlight how structured recovery services, including specialized peer support groups for victims of romance scams and crypto investment fraud, can reduce repeat victimization, improve reporting outcomes, and empower survivors as advocates for prevention.
The featured speaker, Ally Armeson, Executive Director of FightCybercrime.org, leads national efforts to help individuals and communities recognize, report, and recover from cybercrime. Drawing on four years of direct work with high‑loss victims, she and her team use survivors’ experiences to create practical recovery tools, strengthen prevention education, and inform institutions and policymakers on better ways to protect vulnerable adults.
The session will offer valuable insights into the essential role recovery support plays in overall fraud‑prevention efforts. The webinar will be recorded, and presentation slides will be shared with all registrants afterward. You are encouraged to join this meaningful conversation.
ACL: Celebrating the Senior Nutrition Program March 26
Administration for Community Living's Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs will hold a virtual celebration for the 54th anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program and its impact nationwide on March 26th at 10am AKT.
The virtual event will highlight this year’s theme, Serving Up Solutions, and explore how local programs adapt and tailor their approaches to meet community needs. Featured speakers, including ACL leadership, will share examples of how communities are strengthening nutrition services by increasing access to healthy foods, engaging volunteers, and building local partnerships.
Click here to register.
Apply Now for MAHA ELEVATE to Build a Healthier America
CMS invites organizations committed to supporting people to build healthier lives with evidence-based, whole-person functional or lifestyle medicine interventions to apply for the MAHA ELEVATE Model; CMS will award up to thirty 3-year cooperative agreements up to a combined total of $100 million to implement programs that enhance conventional health care.
Interventions focused on core lifestyle choices and behavior change—such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, harmful substance avoidance, and social connection—may slow or prevent chronic disease and help people meet their health goals; MAHA ELEVATE will establish a critical evidence base needed to determine how these interventions can be best incorporated into care for older populations.
Applicants must submit a mandatory Letter of Intent by April 10, 2026; applications for the first cohort of recipients are due on May 15, 2026, and the model will launch in October 2026.
Making America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence, is the first Innovation Center model to focus on holistic, patient-centered functional or lifestyle medicine approaches that include nutritional and/or physical activity interventions along with other psychological or self-care strategies to address the whole person rather than individual disease. MAHA ELEVATE will provide critical data to inform future Medicare coverage determinations or potential future CMS Innovation Center models designed to improve the health of beneficiaries and cut health care costs.
Find out more: MAHA ELEVATE Notice of Funding Opportunity
AARP Purpose Prize Application Now Open Until May 1
US Interior Department & Alaska Department of Health New Agreement to Enhance BIA Probate Process
The Department of the Interior and the Alaska Department of Health announced a new agreement this month that strengthens coordination to support timely and accurate probate services for Alaska Native communities. The memorandum of understanding establishes a collaborative framework to improve probate case processing times by facilitating access to vital records maintained by the Alaska Division of Public Health’s Health Analytics and Vital Records Section. These records are essential to the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ preparation of probate case files for Alaska Native individuals to determine trust estates. Learn more here.
Looking Ahead: May is Older Americans Month
Each May, the Administration for Community Living recognizes Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, emphasizes prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as key elements of healthy aging. The theme encourages older adults to take an active role in managing their health, advocating for their needs, accessing preventative care, and making informed choices that support independence and well-being.
Communities can celebrate OAM by hosting activities and events that reflect the Champion Your Health theme and promote healthy aging. Examples include:
• Health and wellness opportunities such as fitness classes, walking groups, or community health fairs designed for older adults.
• Educational sessions on preventative care, including screenings, medication management, nutrition, and chronic disease self‑management.
• Workshops that strengthen self‑advocacy and health literacy by helping older adults communicate with healthcare providers and understand available care options.
• Partnerships with local organizations such as health departments, senior centers, hospitals, and community groups to offer screenings, education, and wellness resources.
• Social media efforts that encourage residents to share wellness tips or community events using hashtags like #OlderAmericansMonth.
These activities help foster a culture of wellness that supports older adults in maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life.
You can find the 2026 OAM logos and additional resources on the Older Americans Month website.
US Veterans Affairs: Apply for community-based suicide prevention funding by June 12
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs this week announced a $112 million grant funding opportunity for organizations that provide suicide prevention services to Veterans across the country.
Grant funding is available to nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, federally recognized tribes and other community-based organizations that have a demonstrated capacity to serve Veterans. These funds are made available through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, and grantees have until June 12, 2026, to apply.
For details about eligibility, priorities and application requirements for this year’s Fox grant awards, visit https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361498. VA also offers technical assistance and application resources, including webinars and guidance materials at MentalHealth.VA.gov/ssgfox-grants.
SFY28 Alaska Human Services Transportation Grant Opens in August
Organizations can begin preparing now for your DOT&PF senior and disabled human services transportation grant letter of intent opening this summer. The next quarterly informational meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 8th via Teams. Email dot.alaska.transit@alaska.gov for more information.
Justice in Aging Update
Justice in Aging is no longer administering the National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) contract. However, there are many new resources and trainings available on their website. Visit the Justice in Aging’s Resource Library, and experts are available for technical assistance and consultations by emailing info@justiceinaging.org.
American Society on Aging: March Generations Today Issue
Generations Today is ASA's bimonthly digital publication covering current trends and people impacting the field of aging through OpEds, feature articles, profiles, and first-person pieces. This current issue is titled, Intergenerational Stories.
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission March Report
The MedPAC 2026 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy presents MedPAC’s recommendations for updating provider payment rates in fee-for-service Medicare for 2027. It also includes a chapter on trends and key issues in post-acute care. The report reviews the status of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program (Medicare Part C), the Part D prescription drug program (Medicare Part D), and ambulatory surgical centers. Finally, the report includes two additional congressionally mandated reports, one on the impact of recent changes to the home health prospective payment system and one on the performance of dual-eligible special-needs plans (D–SNPs).
Rush University E4 Center Free Resources
The E4 Center was included as a resource in the newly published APA booklet, Perspectives on Aging: Psychology Across the Lifespan.
The CATCH-ON 4Ms Brochure available in both English and Spanish describes how the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System can help older adults and families improve the care they get wherever they receive care.
Rush Generations offers free educational programs, workshops, support groups, fitness and wellness classes, and more that aid older adults in learning how to be healthier. Their programs are accessible online and over the phone.
Aging Guide: Considerations and Best Practices for Older Adults with Brain Injury: The ACL's 2024 Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Technical Assistance and Resource Center’s (TARC) Aging Guide was designed to provide states with tools for initiating or improving partnerships within both state aging networks and mental health systems. The resource was developed in partnership with several subject matter experts.
Learn more about Foundational Competencies in Older Adult Mental Health Online Certificate Program as a first step in developing competency in older adult mental health. The program is free to access, and CE credits are available for a small fee.
Alaska News
A bill to simplify nurse licensing is tangled in Alaska politics, putting rural health funding at risk
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