This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 04/17/2026 02:42 PM AKDT

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PATH Academy Healthcare Training

ACoA Older Americans Month Anchorage Film Screening at Bear Tooth May 18 

Please join us and our non-profit partner Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska (ARA) for a special evening raising awareness of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) at Bear Tooth Theatrepub in Anchorage on Monday, May 18th at 6pm for a screening of the 2020 film "The Father." Tickets are $10 and part of the proceeds goes to ARA. We will have resources available to take home with you after the movie. 

Learn more and purchase your tickets here.

ACoA Quarterly Board Meeting May 27 via Zoom

You are welcome to join us May 27th from 9am-4pm for our virtual quarterly board meeting. This meeting will focus on the Older Americans Act and plans for the next State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2028-2031 State Plan for Senior Services which ACoA is responsible to complete. More details on the meeting including the agenda and public comment coming soon. 

New Commissioner Appointment 

Welcome Kathy Romain from Kenai Senior Center to our board. We now have a full commission of 11 board members from Anchorage, Kenai, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Save the Date: Statewide Summit on Aging this October 

Statewide Summit on Aging graphic

You're invited! Please join us this fall, either virtually or in-person at Turnagain Social Club in Anchorage for the 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.

The Senate Finance committee is currently reviewing the State budget

Alaska seniors are invited to share their perspectives with the Senate Finance Committee as the Legislature reviews budget items that may affect older Alaskans. Public comments are currently being accepted by email. If you would like to provide input or share how state services impact your life or community, you can email the committee at: Senate.Finance.Committee@akleg.gov

Alaska Workforce Alliance: Apply to PATH Academy by April 25 

The Alaska Area Health Education Centers (Alaska AHEC) are now accepting applications for the Pre‑Apprenticeship Training in Healthcare (PATH) Academy, a program designed to prepare Alaskans aged 18 and older for entry-level roles in the healthcare field. The PATH Academy provides hands-on instruction, exposure to healthcare career pathways, and the opportunity to earn five nationally recognized certifications, including Basic Life Support and Mandt training. Offered in a hybrid format combining online coursework with in-person Saturday sessions, the May 2026 pilot cohort will equip participants with the skills needed to confidently pursue employment or continue into healthcare apprenticeship programs. Applications will be accepted through April 25th (deadline 8am) for the 2026 pilot session.

Learn more and apply here (Note: Google form). 

AMHTA: Improving Lives Early Bird Registration, Call for Speakers Closes May 28

Registration for Improving Lives: The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Conference is now open, held at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center on Thursday, September 17th and Friday, September 18th, 2026.

The Improving Lives Conference will meaningfully address behavioral health systems across Trust beneficiary groups and strengthen Alaska’s continuum of care. It is the duty of the Trust to provide leadership in the advocacy, planning, implementing, and funding of services and programs that improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. Trust beneficiaries include Alaskans who experience mental illness, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The two-day conference will include plenary presentations and panel discussions, breakout sessions, exhibitors and resource tables, an evening reception, and several networking opportunities. Attendees can expect engaging sessions, meaningful dialogue, and opportunities to connect around solutions that improve access, outcomes, and quality of life for Alaskans served by the mental health and disability care system.

The call for speakers is open until May 28th at 5pm AKT. The Trust is looking for presentations intended for the conference audience: those who work with Trust-beneficiary serving organizations, providers, and agencies, as well as Trust beneficiaries and policy makers. 

Prevent Cancer Foundation: Rural Grant Opportunity 

Cancer is one of the top five leading causes of death in rural America, and rural residents have higher cancer death rates than urban residents. To reduce these disparities, Track 2 of the Foundation’s 2027 Impact Grants cycle is focused on supporting projects for cancer prevention and early detection in rural communities from organizations located in the communities they serve. All cancer types are eligible.

The Foundation will accept applications from April 8 through May 20, 2026, at 1pm AKT. Applicants will be notified of a decision on December 4th, 2026. Awarded projects begin on January 15th, 2027. Grants will be awarded for two years at $50,000 per year, for a total of $100,000.

Learn more and apply.

CMS: New Mexico’s Medicaid Coverage of Traditional Health Care Practices Webinar April 22 

On October 1, 2025, New Mexico’s Turquoise Care program began providing reimbursement for traditional health care practices (THCP) for American Indian and Alaska Native Medicaid members. This webinar at 10am AKT on April 22nd explores how the benefit works, who can access it, and how it can help support Native elders and people with disabilities in New Mexico. Objectives:
• Provide an overview of New Mexico’s THCP Medicaid benefit, including eligible populations and covered services
• Explain the roles of traditional healers and natural helpers within the Medicaid system
• Offer insight into how THCP coverage supports the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of Native elders and people with disabilities
Have questions for the presenter? Let Centers for Medicare and Medicaid know before the webinar by emailing LTSSinfo@kauffmaninc.com.

5310 Senior & Disabled Transportation Funding Webinar April 22 

Section 5310 funding is federal funding for enhancing transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. If your organization is already receiving 5310 funds through Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) or if you are interested in applying for future funding this summer, please join CCAM-TAC April 21st at 9am AKT via Zoom for "Section 5310 Funding: Are You Ready to Apply or Expand?"
The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center is a national technical assistance center funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and operated by the Community Transportation Association of America. The CCAM-TAC focuses on improving transportation access for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and low-income populations by promoting coordination and collaboration among various transportation services and funding sources. 

Justice in Aging: Fighting Evictions in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Webinar April 29

This webinar on Wednesday, April 29th at 10am AKT will address common eviction scenarios and discuss how lawyers and other advocates can assist residents in asserting their rights and staying in place. The webinar will be based on federal nursing home law and the federal regulations governing assisted living facilities that accept Medicaid reimbursement, and will also cover common state laws applicable to assisted living eviction. This webinar will be useful to legal services and direct service professionals at all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced. After attending this training, participants will be able to:

  • Understand necessary eviction notice requirements;

  • Base advocacy on legally permitted reasons for eviction;

  • Recognize facilities’ common but improper practices;

  • Develop strategies for hearings and trials;

  • Assert assisted living protections established by federal Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) regulations.

Background Information for Attendees:

ACL: May is Older American's Month 

This year’s Administration for Community Living's Older Americans Month (OAM) theme, Champion Your Health, highlights prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It calls on individuals, families, caregivers, and communities to take action: managing health, advocating for themselves and others, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence.

Join senior centers across the country in elevating evidence-based approaches, everyday actions, and community partnerships that help people lead healthier, more independent lives. Visit ACL’s OAM website for ready-to-use materials to support your outreach. 

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Policy Lecture May 6 

Benjamin Rose’s Annual Katz Policy Lecture, Closing the Gap: Women, Caregiving, and the Fight for Financial Stability in Older Age, featuring keynote speaker Judith Kozlowski, Senior Fellow at the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) and contractor with the Native American Elder Justice Initiative (NAEJI), on May 6th 7am-9am AKT via Zoom.

Older adults face growing financial challenges but for women, the long-term impact of caregiving, wage gaps, and workplace barriers can significantly shape economic security later in life. This lecture will cover:

  • How unpaid caregiving affects lifetime earnings and retirement security
  • The role of wage disparities and workplace policies
  • The increasing pressure of housing costs, including rent and property taxes
  • Practical policy solutions that could meaningfully improve financial stability for older adults and their families

This session is designed for professionals seeking a clearer understanding of the systemic factors influencing financial well-being in older age—and what can be done to address them.

CMS: ACCESS Model Application Period Extended to May 15 

More than 150 leading health care organizations have been accepted to participate in the launch of the ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions) Model.  

Most of the organizations have not previously served Medicare beneficiaries and will bring additional technology-supported care options to help people manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain and depression.  

CMS is extending the initial application deadline to May 15th so that more organizations can participate in ACCESS when it launches on July 5th, 2026; Medicare enrollment is required for participation but not to apply.  

ACCESS empowers people with Medicare and their clinicians by offering services that are convenient, affordable and integrated with their existing care teams.  

The voluntary ACCESS Model focuses on conditions affecting more than two-thirds of people with Medicare. All organizations must adhere to strict guardrails, which include enrollment in the Medicare Part B as providers or suppliers, compliance with licensure, data privacy and security standards, outcome-reporting, and other quality standards. Private payers representing 165 million members across Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial coverage have also committed to aligning with the ACCESS model's payment approach, with many beginning this year.

ANA Alaska: EAGLE Grant Forecast 

The Alaska Region Training and Technical Assistance Center has released the 2026 forecast for the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) Notice of Funding Opportunities. The forecast identifies the upcoming EAGLE program, an initiative that will replace the former Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) and Social and Economic Development Strategies Alaska (SEDS‑AK) programs. The estimated posting date for the EAGLE funding opportunity is June 3, 2026, with an anticipated application due date of August 2, 2026. The forecast outlines priority areas expected to be supported through this opportunity, including seventh‑generation greenhouse projects to expand access to nutritious, locally grown food; microgrids to improve energy reliability, resilience, and independence; workforce development efforts such as Welders to Elders; cultural education and intergenerational leadership programs like Tradition in Action; and the Indigenous Designs to Empower and Advance Self‑Determination (IDEAS) initiative, which focuses on community‑driven solutions to address pressing local needs.
Visit www.anaalaska.org.

The Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program

The Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program (TTAP) through Georgia Southern University's Center for Public Health Practice and Research, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health is a federally-funded initiative that offers comprehensive technical assistance to rural hospitals to address financial and operational challenges and maintain essential health services for their communities.

Over two years, selected hospitals are supported through a systematic and evidence-based process for identifying, prioritizing, and implementing short-term, mid-range, and long-term strategies for positioning their organizations for financial sustainability. There is up to an additional year of follow-up for monitoring and evaluation purposes. During their tenure in the program, hospitals receive comprehensive technical assistance in financial and operational assessment, financial sustainability planning, strategy implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 

Participants receive 2 years of targeted technical assistance at no cost with an additional year of follow-up activities. A cohort of 4-6 hospitals will be selected to participate each year. Apply by September 30th for next year's cohort. 

Alaska News

Alutiiq Museum tells the story of Alaska Native children sent to Carlisle Indian Boarding School

Aging & Disability News

Long-Awaited Safeguards For Medicaid Home And Community-Based Services Put On Hold

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.