This Week's Updates
Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 04/24/2026 01:10 PM AKDT
Rural Health Transformation Update
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.
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 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.
Rural Health Transformation Funding Update
Alaska Department of Health (DOH) received nearly 1,800 Letters of Intent (LOI), all of which are currently being reviewed. The Department is aiming to send updates to LOI authors regarding the status of their submissions by mid-May. LOIs are now undergoing an in-depth manual review process by the Department of Health. This process includes thorough evaluation by both DOH leadership and subject matter experts, and is expected to continue through April. During this stage, Department leadership and subject matter experts are reviewing the categorized LOIs to:
- group proposals according to alignment with Alaska’s RHTP transformation goals and initiatives
- consider proposals in relation to statewide needs, geographic distribution, and program priorities
- determine the appropriate pathway for each LOI
- ensure a balanced portfolio across Alaska
Organizations can expect to receive LOI response notifications in early- to mid-May 2026. Responses will fall into one of the categories below:
- advance LOI to Project Implementation application
- advance to Planning pathway
- advance to Readiness pathway
- defer; recommend resubmission for consideration in a future funding cycle
- decline; project unallowable or not aligned
DOH anticipates opening the LOI submission and/or application period for Year 2 of Alaska’s Rural Health Transformation Program in late summer 2026. Additional information will be released soon.
HB 334: Free State IDs for Unhoused Alaskans
HB 334, introduced by Representative Mina in February is designed to eliminate financial and procedural obstacles that individuals experiencing homelessness face when obtaining state-issued IDs . Initially focused on “transition-age” youth aged 18–25, the bill received amendment in committee to open eligibility to all unhoused individuals, regardless of age.
The legislation empowers the state registrar to waive fees for birth certificates and ID cards and permits alternative proof of identity, such as school records or letters from shelters, eliminating the requirement for a current government-issued photo ID or permanent address. Public testimony emphasized that without identification, unhoused Alaskans struggle to access employment, housing, healthcare, and essential services.
After public hearings earlier this month, the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee passed the amended bill and forwarded it to the House Finance Committee. HB 334 is now under review in the Finance Committee; if approved, it will move to the full House and then to the Senate.
Anchorage Law Day Open House May 1
- Meet trial court judges, visit the Law Library, learn about jury duty
- Attend presentations on topics like Trial Court Basics, Guardianship, and Access to Justice Services
AHFC: Older Alaskans Housing Needs Survey
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is gathering information about the resources, supports and investments needed for affordable and accessible housing options for older Alaskans. Results from this study will be available in Fall 2026.
AHFC is looking for survey participants who currently live in Alaska and are 55 years or older. Friends, family and other people can help with answering the survey. Answers will be kept anonymous and individual responses will not be shared publicly.
Share your thoughts on affordable and accessible housing options. Take the survey today!
End of Life Options Alaska Launches MAiD Advocacy
A new nonprofit organization has launched, comprised of Alaskans who’ve come together to provide education and encourage public discussion about Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), and to build support for making this compassionate end-of-life option legally available to terminally ill adults in Alaska. MAiD is not currently authorized in Alaska and is an end-of-life option, governed by state law, that allows a terminally ill, mentally competent adult with six months or less to live to voluntarily and legally request, receive, and self-administer a prescription medication to hasten their own death in a peaceful, humane, and dignified manner. The patient can stop the process at any time and may choose to never fill the prescription or ingest the medication.
JANHF: 2026 Business Innovation Award Closes May 13
LTCCC: Dementia Care in the Community Toolkit
The Long-Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) has launched a new online resource called the Dementia Care in the Community toolkit. This toolkit offers practical, evidence-informed materials designed for use at home, in community settings, and in care environments, available in both English and Spanish.
It includes easy-to-read fact sheets on dementia, communication, safety, pain management, and other key topics; quick “Care Cards” for everyday scenarios; short training videos; and guidance to support individualized, person-centered care.
LTCCC is also hosting a Train-the-Trainer webinar series to introduce these resources to specific audiences. Upcoming sessions include (at 9am AKT):
- April 23rd: Faith-based groups
- April 30th: Providers
- May 7th: Employers
- May 14th: Professionals
- May 21st: Legislators
This project was made possible through a one-year grant from The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, with contributions from residents, families, experts, and ombudsmen. Everyone living with dementia should receive care that meets professional standards, regardless of where they live. LTCCC’s Dementia Care in the Community initiative aims to address gaps by offering clear, practical tools for individuals with dementia, their caregivers, and their families. A webinar introducing the project and its resources is also available.
Attuned Partnerships in Dementia Care: Free Virtual Certificate Program
Hilarity for Charity (HFC) and the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program are offering a free, four‑part virtual training series designed to strengthen relationship‑centered, culturally responsive dementia care. Rooted in evidence-based practices and guided by the DUET framework (Dignity, Uniqueness, Experience, and Togetherness), this training equips professional care partners with practical tools for stronger communication, deeper connection, and individualized support for people living with dementia.
Three program cohorts are available in 2026:
- May 2026: Wednesdays, May 6th–27th
- June 2026: June 2th–5th
- September 2026: Fridays, September 4th–25th
All sessions run from 8am-11:30am AKT via Zoom. Participants must complete all four sessions to receive a certificate.
Questions? Visit DEERProgram.org. Call 775-682‑9444. Email DEERProgram@unr.edu
NIJ: Research on the Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation of Older Adults Due May 19
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) inviting applications for research and evaluation projects focused on preventing and addressing the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older adults.
The funding opportunity covers five key research areas:
• Evaluating programs designed to prevent, address, or respond to abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older adults
• Studying financial fraud targeting older adults, including strategies to improve scam‑prevention messaging
• Research on formal and informal caregivers who may abuse or neglect older adults, to support the development of prevention and intervention efforts
• Forensic research related to developing radiographic and bioinformatic methods for identifying physical abuse of older adults
• Research on how emerging technologies contribute to fraud and exploitation
Eligible applicants include state governments, Tribal governments, higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and other qualified entities. Award recipients will be required to meet NIJ’s reporting and deliverable deadlines as outlined in the program guidelines.
Applications are due by May 19th. The expected project start date is January 1st, 2027.
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.