This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 06/12/2026 11:48 AM AKDT

Alaska Commission on Aging logo

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 6/15

ACoA's Annual Older Alaskan Data Report: Available Now 

The 2025 Senior Snapshot is a comprehensive data report exploring a range of Older Alaskan data from this past fiscal year, including the costs of long-term care to the number of seniors affected by scams and fraud. Thank you to all the partners and contributors who made this publication possible.

ACoA Public Member Seat: Apply Now 

Alaskans are welcome to apply to join the Alaska Commission on Aging. Responsibilities include regular committee work and quarterly meetings (four per year). This seat is not age restricted.

Select "Alaska Commission on Aging" from the drop-down menu. And under "Preferred Seat," enter "Public Member."
Questions? Email doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov
Welcoming Brenda Shelden to the ACoA
Alaska Pioneer Homes Advisory Board elected Brenda Shelden as their new Chair, whose role is to also fill the Alaska Commission on Aging's Pioneer Homes' designated seat. Thank you to Bob Pawlowski for your many years of service in both positions!

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 are 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.

ACoA Elder Justice Resource for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006 and recognized as a United Nations Observance in 2011. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. 

Last year we commemorated WEAAD with an Estate Planning Webinar featuring Chelsea Riekkola (recording) available on our Facebook page. 

This year we're excited to share with you this new Elder Justice Resource Guide. Please print and distribute! 

Maniilaq: Help with Disability Applications in the Arctic Northwest & WEAAD

Maniilaq Association is partnering with MindSet Care to help individuals navigate SSI & SSDI disability applications and related support services. This collaboration may benefit individuals experiencing traumatic or acquired brain injury (TBI), chronic health conditions, mental health conditions, physical disabilities, or long-term illnesses affecting their ability to work. Support may include:
  • Guidance through the Social Security process
  • Help gathering medical records
  • Appeals support if denied
  • Dedicated case management
  • Ongoing application updates and tracking
  • Representation throughout the process
Learn more or get started: https://mindset.care/ManiilaqAssociation. Questions? Contact: Jessalyn.Swanson@maniilaq.org or shulley@maniilaq.org, 907-442-7033. 
Maniilaq's Elder Services Program is hosting an Elder Abuse Awareness Walk on Monday, June 15th from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm at Long Term Care in Kotzebue! Refreshments and door prizes to follow!
For more information, please contact Jana Collins at 907-442-7935.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation: Community Justice Worker Program

In 2019, ALSC launched the Community Justice Worker (CJW) program. Inspired by the tribal community health aid model, the CJW program trains local community members to provide legal assistance where it is needed most. These community-embedded advocates are trained by ALSC to assist Alaskans who would otherwise lack access to civil legal help.
ALSC is excited to announce three new asynchronous courses that will be offered free of charge through Alaska Pacific University starting in July:
  • Disaster Response - learn to identify common civil legal issues that arise during and after a disaster and how to help an individual complete a FEMA application or appeal an adverse decision.
  • Eviction Defense - learn the legal steps in an Alaska eviction case and possible defenses tenants may raise in eviction proceedings.
  • Probate - learn the steps to administer an estate and the appropriate actions to take to support families after a death.
View all CJW trainings here including Will Writing. Interested in completing a free CJW course? Fill out the online Interest Form (Google form). 
Upcoming Events: 

  • Today, June 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM AKT - Intro to Alaska's Community Justice Worker Program. This meeting is for those who want to learn more about what being a CJW is all about, why ALSC started the CJW program, and more. Register here.

  • June 26, 2026 at 12:00 PM AKT - Monthly CJW Pro Bono Program Orientation. If you are ready to volunteer with ALSC's pro bono program or haven't taken a case in a while and would like a refresher on volunteer processes, please join ALSC for this month's orientation. Register here.

Summer 2026 Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Is Live 

Are you an Alaskan age 60+ and already receive SNAP benefits? Is your income less than 185% of the federal poverty level? In Alaska for a single household, the maximum is: $36,907.50/year or $3,075.63/month. Household of two: $50,042.50/year or $4,170.21/month. Apply now for SFMNP here. 
This summer, SFMNP will provide $55 total in electronic benefits to seniors to spend at local farmers markets, $40 from federal funding and $15 from Alaska Farmers Market Association. Participating areas include: Anchorage, Eagle River, Willow, Kenai Peninsula, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Haines, Sitka, and Kodiak. The full list of participating markets and their locations is available here.
The program provides low-income seniors with electronic benefits that can be exchanged for fresh Alaska-grown fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut herbs and honey at participating farmers markets, authorized farms, and roadside stands within Alaska.
Estate Planning Workshops in Anchorage and Wasilla June & July 
Attorney Constance Aschenbrenner is offering free estate planning workshops titled “The 7 Threats to Your Estate Plan.” These sessions address common questions about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Miller’s Trusts, and Medicaid planning, with a focus on helping individuals protect their assets, plan for long‑term care needs, and reduce potential stress on their families.

In‑person workshops will be held at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center on June 16 and July 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, and at the Wasilla Senior Center on June 23 and July 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Participants may reserve a space online at www.akwillstrusts.com or call or text the listed office number at (907) 334‑9200. Individuals unable to attend in person may request access to a recorded webinar. Visit akwillstrusts.com.

Cook Inlet Housing Authority: New Senior Apartments Coming to Anchorage 

Cook Inlet Housing Authority received a grant awarded through Housing Alaskans: A Public‑Private Partnership (HAPPP), as well as support provided by Wells Fargo Foundation, Northrim Bank, Member FDIC, the Richard L. and Diane M. Block Foundation, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to build the organization’s elder housing development planned for Anchorage’s Airport Heights neighborhood. With these investments, Phase I construction is scheduled to begin this year and will deliver 24 affordable senior housing units to the community in 2027.

Denakkanaaga: 2026 Elders and Youth Conference Recap, Elders Camp Fish Call 
Denakkanaaga means ‘Our People Speak’ in Koyukon-Athabascan. Denakkanaaga, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as the voice for Native Elders of Interior Alaska. As Native Elders speak out on social and cultural issues, passing on their traditions, language, skills, stories and values, Denakkanaaga acts on their behalf by following up on directives set forth by them. 
The 2026 Denakkanaaga Elders and Youth Conference was last week in conjunction with the Denakkanaaga Annual Meeting on June 4th in Fort Yukon. You can view photos from the conference on the Denakkanaaga Facebook page, and visit their website to watch programs in action, view their calendar and peruse the new Mary TallMountain Project page! 
Denakkanaaga is now preparing for its fifth annual Elders Mentoring Elders Culture Camp which will take place in July, registration including scholarships is open! As part of the camp activities, participants will learn how to cut, and prepare white fish and utilize the skin for projects.
If you have extra white fish to share, please call Denakkanaaga at 907-451-3900. They are happy to cover freight. 
If you are in Fairbanks this summer, don't miss the Denakkanaaga store featuring Elder-made goods inside the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, including a pop-up today!

Virtual National Summit to Increase Social Connections: June 23-24

Join Commit to Connect on June 23 and 24 from 1:00–3:30 p.m. ET for the virtual National Summit to Increase Social Connections. This year’s theme, 'Champion Your Health: Social Connection as a Cornerstone of Prevention, Wellness, Healthy Aging, and Independence,' aligns with the 2026 celebration of Older Americans Month. The Summit will feature leaders from local, state, and national sectors who will explore how nutrition and physical activity support meaningful social connections. Visit the event page to see the full agenda. 

IHS Tribal Epidemiology Centers NOFO: Apply by July 13 

The Indian Health Service is accepting applications for a new funding opportunity to strengthen public health services and support the Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs) and the communities they serve.   

This grant offers several awards to strengthen dementia care for American Indian and Alaska Native people and their caregivers, supporting key goals of the IHS Alzheimer’s Program. 

  • Three supplemental awards up to $150K will support activities that improve dementia awareness, early and accurate diagnosis, team‑based evaluations, care coordination, and caregiver support.
  • One supplemental award up to $200K will provide training and technical assistance to Alzheimer’s Program grantees to strengthen dementia care models.

This work will help tribes, tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, and IHS facilities strengthen their dementia care models and meet program goals. 

The deadline for this opportunity is July 13th. If you need help accessing it, email the IHS Division of Grants Management at dgm@ihs.gov.

Alaska Department of Transportation Human Services Grant Opens August 10
Human Services Grant Recommendations for SFY2027 have been posted on the ACT website and are available for review! Organizations with questions regarding the grant recommendations are encouraged to contact the ACT office.
This funding is intended to improve transportation access and mobility for older Alaskans and Alaskans living with disabilities. The grant supports planning and designing transportation that meets their needs; provide services where public transit is unavailable or inadequate; encourage communities to coordinate existing transportation resources; and fund transportation programs in small or remote Alaska communities with limited options.
Preparation will begin soon for the next grant application cycle. Intent to Apply is scheduled to open August 10th, 2026. Potential applicants are encouraged to begin preparing now by:
  • Reviewing current transportation needs and organizational priorities.
  • Assessing vehicle replacement and expansion requirements.
  • Gathering supporting documentation and project information. 
  • Ensuring organizational registrations and required information remain current. 
Additional information regarding application requirements, timelines, eligible activities, and funding availability will be distributed once the application period opens. Office email: dot.alaska.transit@alaska.gov  

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority: Next Grant Deadline August 15 

AMHTA Partnership Grant applications are accepted on a quarterly basis. These grants may be awarded to organizations that serve Trust beneficiaries for a specific purpose or need that is consistent with the Trust’s mission and current funding priorities. Eligible organizations for partnership grants are foundations, government agencies, tribal entities, nonprofits, and corporations who serve Trust beneficiaries. Learn more here.

Alaska Housing Summit in Anchorage August 19-20 

The Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness invites participants to attend the Alaska Housing Summit 2026 on August 19–20th. This year’s theme, “Productive Partnerships,” emphasizes how cross‑sector organizations can strengthen client outcomes and support the work of Alaska’s Continuums of Care.

The summit is designed for housing and homelessness service providers, funders, and partners across all sectors. Sessions will highlight key Continuum of Care initiatives, the role of data in building partnerships and informing decisions, and emerging opportunities for advocacy. Attendees will also have opportunities to network throughout the event, with light breakfast and lunch provided.

Keynote speakers from Destination: Home, a public‑private partnership working to end homelessness in Silicon Valley, will share their insights. CEO Jennifer Loving and COO Ray Bramson will discuss effective community collaboration and introduce the new homeless prevention initiative, Right at Home.

A limited number of scholarships are available for registration fees, travel, or lodging. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply (Google form) by July 17, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified on July 18.

Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Units: Anchorage Update 
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (or ADU) is a separate unit on the same property as an existing dwelling that provides basic requirements for living, sleeping, cooking, and sanitation. The unit may have a separate exterior entrance or an entrance to an internal common area accessible to the outside. ADUs can be attached, detached or internal to the main dwelling unit and are allowed in all residential zones in Anchorage and most residential zones in Chugiak-Eagle River​ and Girdwood. Learn more at the Municipality’s ADU Project Page. 
The Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program launched in spring 2026 to make it easier for residents to build ADUs and add to Anchorage's housing stock to address the housing shortage crisis our community is facing. Through this program, you can submit an application to recieve a plan (for free!) from a catalog of designs that have already been approved through the Municipality's plan review process.

Construction permits are still required, and depending on your property, some other permits and reviews might be necessary, but the goal is to ease your way through the process to reduce the time needed to bring your ADU to completion. View all municipality resources here.

US Department of Justice Commemorates WEAAD 

On June 9, 2026, Assistant Attorney General Duva took part in the Elder Justice Coordinating Council meeting, where members adopted the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan—a government-wide strategy aimed at protecting older Americans’ rights, enhancing accountability, and improving access to assistance. In his remarks, Assistant Attorney General Duva reaffirmed his strong commitment to combating elder fraud both within the United States and internationally.

The meeting also featured a panel moderated by Andy Mao, the Department’s National Elder Justice Coordinator, introducing the Never EVER campaign. This national public‑private partnership supports the Action Plan’s prevention goals by helping the public identify and avoid government and business impersonation scams. View Assistant Attorney General Duva’s discussion of the Never EVER campaign and impersonation fraud.

DOJ's Elder Justice Initiative supported the Consumer Voice to develop a series of eight short, engaging educational training videos and accompanying fact sheets informing and educating first responders about long-term care facilities and their residents. Each module touches on a different topic.

  • Module 1: Considerations When Called to a Long-Term Care Facility
  • Module 2: The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Advocates for Residents
  • Module 3: Addressing Abuse Against Residents
  • Module 4: Signs of Neglect
  • Module 5: Understanding and Protecting Residents' Rights
  • Module 6: Resident Capacity and Decision-Making
  • Module 7: Effective Communication with Residents
  • Module 8: The Importance of Documentation and Reporting of Abuse and Neglect

SAMHSA Funding & TA Announcements 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced today several funding opportunities due in July, including an Adult Suicide Prevention Grant.
Have you heard of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS)? Funded by SAMHSA, CMHIS provides nationwide, no-cost support to mental health organizations, Tribal entities and state agencies to implement the most effective mental health care.

In this video, you'll hear directly from CMHIS about how they partner with organizations to navigate implementation challenges, build capacity, and support meaningful, real-world change in mental health services. Underneath the video, click to access the event calendar, core implementation topics, and the resource library. 

In Alaska, CMHIS Pacific West Hub wants to partner with state and local leaders to strengthens our systems and communities. Partnership options include:

  • Consultations about your specific needs and priorities
  • Targeted implementation support for initiatives
  • Presenting at leadership meetings or conferences
  • Co-designing implementation projects
  • Review of CMHIS/Hub resources and explanation of free services

Review an introductory slideshow from CMHIS Pacific West Hub here. Contact: pacificwest@cmhisupport.org

Alaska News

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