This Week's Updates

Alaska Department of Health sent this bulletin at 08/28/2026 11:43 AM AKDT

Alaska Commission on Aging logo

Summit Early Bird Rate Ends Monday

Summit on Aging Event Flyer

Statewide Summit on Aging this October: Register Now!

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 15-17th. We have combined forces with the Aging and Disability Summit traditionally held at Special Olympics to bring you this Summit on Aging. Continuing education credits are available.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a scholarship application. The deadline has now passed. We are reviewing applications and will be in touch next week. 

View all Summit details, including the complete agenda, and register here.

Our early bird discount of $250/3 days full Summit is available through August 31, 2026.

Alaskans ages 65+ and individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) have waived in-person registration fees. These spaces are limited, and registration is required. We are not accepting walk-ins at this time. We kindly request that you only register for the day(s) you plan to actively attend and participate in sessions. This helps make the Summit more accessible to all interested Alaskans. If registering online is not possible, please call 907-328-9737 or 907-230-0871 to register. Senior centers and organizations are welcome to contact us and coordinate their community member registrations. If you prefer to attend virtually instead, please contact us to complete registration.

Interested in sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities? Review our Sponsorship Prospectus here.

To register as a sponsor and/or exhibitor, click here. Exhibitor space ($150 for Alaskan entities) is available on a first-come, first-served basis and we are filling up. Sponsorships are critical to ensuring rural voices are represented. Thank you for your support! 

Our Summit hotel block is Homewood Suites by Hilton Anchorage at 101 W 48th Ave. If you are purchasing tickets to the Summit from out of town and wish to use our negotiated hotel rate for your stay, please contact: yasmin.radbod@alaska.gov. 

Flying to the Summit? Use this Alaska Airlines code for a 7% discount: ECMQ426. To use the Code, go online to www.AlaskaAir.com and input the Discount Code when searching for flights. The discount will be applied to any flights meeting the contract parameters. By clicking the “?” next to the discount code box after entering the code you may view a detailed description of the rules. 

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ACoA Quarterly Board Meeting Minutes 

Thank you to everyone who joined our board meeting this week. Meeting minutes will be available soon!

ACoA and Senior Voice Alaska Win National Mature Media Award 

Last year, in honor of National Centenarians Day (September 22), ACoA's Program Coordinator Yasmin Radbod and Senior Voice Alaska Editor Paola Banchero launched a monthly series in the Alaskan paper featuring stories of Alaskan Centenarians, Alaskans who are 100 or older. We are thrilled to receive a 2026 Bronze award by the National Mature Media Awards for our series! Thank you, Older Person's Action Group - Senior Voice Alaska, for making this possible. Read this month's Centenarian feature, celebrating Betty Calhoon, by Paola Banchero! 
ACoA is taking a break this year on celebrating Centenarians officially, as we are working hard on the Statewide Summit on Aging this October. You can read more centenarian features at seniorvoicealaska.com, and check out our 2025 video celebrating Alaskan Centenarians here! Do you have a centenarian in your life who would enjoy being featured in the paper? Please contact us: doh.acoa.info@alaska.gov. 
The National Mature Media Awards, hosted by the Mature Market Resource Center, is the country’s largest and longest-running awards program celebrating excellence in marketing, communications, and educational materials crafted for adults aged 50 and older. Now in its 35th year, the program spotlights outstanding work from organizations ranging from community groups and healthcare providers to media outlets and financial services. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of mature-market experts who score entries based on format, content, creativity, relevance, and overall quality, with winners across Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit tiers.
Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program: Apply by Aug 31 
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is now accepting applications for the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. This initiative empowers nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities to assist low-income older adults in safely remaining in their homes. By funding cost-effective, high-impact home modifications, the program aims to reduce fall risks, enhance accessibility and safety, and support aging in place instead of relocating to facility-based care. Interested applicants must submit their proposals by August 31, 2026.

CSM Proposed Rule on Home Health: Public Comment Closes Aug 31 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its proposed rule for the Calendar Year 2027 Home Health Prospective Payment System. The proposal includes a 2.1 percent home health payment update, which represents a 370 million dollar increase for agencies that submit all required quality data, along with a 2.4 percent overall increase in Medicare payments to home health agencies compared to the previous year. The proposal also requests feedback on future concepts for an Advance Care Planning quality measure, expanding access to palliative care within the home health benefit, and creating a wage index specific to home health services. A fact sheet is available for additional details, and public comments are due by August 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM AKT.

GCDSE Advocacy Training 

GCDSE Advocacy Flyer Sept 1-2
The Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education is hosting a free virtual training event, “Advocacy: We Can Make a Difference,” taking place September 1–2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The training is designed for self-advocates, family members, and guardians, as well as professional staff who support individuals with disabilities. Participants will gain practical tools to strengthen advocacy skills and contribute to meaningful systems change.

Alaska STEPtember Challenge: Walk to Prevent Falls! 

The Alaska Falls Prevention Community of Practice, in partnership with Alaska Active Transportation Coalition, invites our partner organizations to join the STEPtember CHALLENGE 2026, September 1–30! The challenge is a simple way to take steps for your health, stay active, and help prevent falls. There is no cost to participate. 

The Challenge:

  • This is not a competition. The goal is to encourage each of us to challenge ourselves, stay active, and build healthy habits.
  • Track your steps throughout September and aim for an average of at least 4,400 steps (approximately 2 miles) per day for the month, with a total goal of 132,000 steps.   
  • Participants who complete the challenge may be eligible to receive an incentive, while supplies last. All ages welcome! 
  • They will also recognize individuals who complete the STEPtember CHALLENGE!
  • A list of finishers with 132,000 or more steps will be shared with the Alaska Falls Prevention Community of Practice and Alaska Active Transportation Coalition.  

How to Participate:

  • Track your steps from September 1–30, 2026 with a phone, smartwatch, fitness tracker, pedometer, or another method to record your steps. 
  • Work toward at least 132,000 total steps in September. 
  • At the end of the challenge, submit your final step total through our SurveyMonkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STEPtember_Challenge_2026.  
  • Or email a tracking calendar with your recorded steps to doh.injury.prevention.info@alaska.gov.  
  • Please submit your completed step record or final step total by October 5, 2026. 

Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay active and can help support strength, mobility, balance, and healthy aging. Participants are encouraged to take part at a level that is safe and appropriate for their individual abilities. Whether you walk indoors, outdoors, around your neighborhood, at work, or on one of Alaska's many trails, every step counts! 

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Virtual Fall Public Meeting Sept 3-4 
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will hold its fall public meeting on September 3–4, 2026. As a nonpartisan, independent legislative branch agency, MedPAC advises the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. During the meeting, Commission staff will present research and policy options for discussion, and Commissioners will deliberate and vote on recommendations aimed at informing federal health care policy. Learn more and register here.Learn more and register here. Transcripts, presentation slides, and submitted public comments will be made available shortly after the meeting concludes.

Community Rides Pilot Grant Program: Webinar Sept 8 & Apply by October 19 

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) is a national technical assistance center funded through a cooperative agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and operated by the Community Transportation Association of America. CCAM‑TAC is now accepting applications for the 2027 Community Rides Pilot Grant Program, offering up to $100,000 for innovative projects that expand transportation access to healthcare, jobs, education, healthy food, and social services.

Eligible lead applicants include public transit providers, tribal transit, local governments, and nonprofit human service organizations. All proposals must include formal partnerships with community agencies such as healthcare systems, workforce boards, social service organizations, or educational institutions.

Program timeline:

  • Applications Due: October 19, 2026

  • Awards Announced: November 15, 2026

  • TA Period Begins: December 1, 2026

  • Pilot Launch: February 1, 2027

 Register for the Informational Webinar September 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM AKT.

Alaska SFY27 Mental Health Essential Program Equipment Funding: Apply by Sept 9 

The Department of Health (DOH), Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS), is requesting proposals from eligible applicants to provide the Mental Health Essential Program Equipment program for the State of Alaska in FY2027 through FY2028. The Department is seeking applicants to propose one-time equipment purchases to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their service delivery system(s) to Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries throughout the State of Alaska. 

A primary goal of the program is to maximize resource impact thus, applicants who propose to serve the greatest number of beneficiaries relative to the other applicants will receive priority funding. A secondary goal of the program is to raise the rate of agencies in Alaska who are compliant with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule (CMS-2442-F). Applicants who propose activities that will assist their agency in meeting CMS-2442-F standards will also be given priority funding. Agencies may submit more than one proposal for consideration. However, the cumulative amount proposed for a single agency's program shall not exceed $30,000. This program does not allow activities or purchases which would normally be considered construction or deferred maintenance. The anticipated outcomes are the timely purchases and implementation of essential program equipment to assist agencies with the overall delivery of services. 

Elder Endeavors Programming at Loussac Library in Anchorage

Elder Endeavors Flyer
Loussac Library in Anchorage, 3rd Floor, Ann Stevens Room, 1:30-3:30pm on Wednesdays. 
A monthly event for older people, this program is an opportunity to socialize and share stories with a nice cup of coffee or tea.
  • September 9th
    • Discussion theme: Favorite movies growing up
  • October 14th
    • Discussion theme: Hidden gems of Anchorage
  • November 18th
    • Discussion theme: Advice for your younger self
  • December 9th
    • Discussion theme: Places you have been
Alaska Transportation Funding for Seniors & People with Disabilities: Submit by Sept 18
The Alaska Community Transit Office (ACT) is pleased to announce that the SFY2028 Human Services Transportation Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been published. Thank you for your interest in improving mobility and transportation options for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and Alaska Mental Health Trust beneficiaries. 
The SFY2028 NOFO and related application materials are available on the ACT website homepage at: https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/transit/
The Intent to Apply period for ACT administered funding opportunities opened on August 10 and closes on September 18, 2026, at 4:30 PM AKT. All applicants planning to apply for funding are encouraged to submit an Intent to Apply during this period. 
The published NOFO provides important information regarding:
  • Eligibility requirements.
  • Available funding opportunities.
  • Application timelines.
  • Evaluation criteria.
If you have any questions regarding the SFY2028 HST NOFO or the application process, please contact the ACT Office: dot.alaska.transit@alaska.gov 
2026 Alaska Health Information Exchange Summit October 7 

HealtheConnect HIE Summit

Registration is open for the 2026 Alaska Health Information Exchange Summit! Join healthcare professionals, leaders, policymakers, and community partners from across Alaska for a day of learning, collaboration, and discussion focused on health information exchange and the future of connected healthcare.

October 7, 2026 at Egan Center, Anchorage + Online Option. This event is free. Lunch included for in-person attendees. 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m.)

Learn more and register here!

2026 Employment First Conference October 12-13 Anchorage 

Employment First Conference Flyer

Monday - Tuesday, October 12-13, 2026 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage.

Do you want to learn how people with disabilities positively impact the Alaskan workforce? Are you a business looking to widen your talent pool? This two day conference is intended for all sectors and sizes of employers, employment support providers, and individuals with disabilities ready to join the workforce. Topics provided include accommodations and accessibility in the workplace, healthcare workforce development programs, youth transitions to employment, labor force data, working with disability benefits information, and more! Also featured will be the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee's Business Awards, and keynote featuring the Rural Health Transformation Program. Visit to gain information and connection, meet providers and resource groups, and learn how workers with disabilities and employers can strike gold in Alaska's untapped workforce! Don’t miss out!

Register today!

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