Author: Bryan Meshke

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT TRAINING AND DEADLINE FOR 2013 "HEALTHY IMPACT"

    Wasilla, AK— Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is seeking applications from eligible organizations for its Healthy Impact grant program, which twice annually awards grants over $15,000 to fund programs that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough.

    A free training session to help potential grantees understand MSHF’s granting guidelines and the application process is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov.14, 2012 at 2 pm. It will be held at 950 E. Bogard Rd., Suite 220 in Wasilla. Interested parties can sign up by calling 352-2872 or emailing vreese@www.healthymatsu.org.

    The application deadlines for Healthy Impact grants to be awarded in 2013 are as follows:

    Cycle One:
    Project Pitch: November 26, 2012 – January 10, 2013
    Full Application: January 18, 2013 – February 28, 2013

    Cycle Two:
    Project Pitch: April 22, 2013 – May 30, 2013
    Full Application: June 14, 2013 – August 1, 2013

    MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch phase. The Project Pitch is completed online at www.healthymatsu.org/ and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The Foundation reviews all pitches and then invites projects that most closely align with the Foundation’s criteria to move forward to the full application phase.

    Potential grant applicants are encouraged to review the “Who and What We Fund” section of the Foundation’s website for information on the grant process and guidelines. MSHF supports organizations and activities that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes rather than symptoms; build upon community strengths; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. MSHF is particularly interested in supporting organizations that: 

    • Expand access to health and wellness care, especially for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the targeting and delivery of services to reduce health disparities.
    • Foster communication, cooperation, and coordination among service providers.
    • Build programs and services that are sustainable.
    • Have a strong and engaged board, staff and/or volunteer leadership.
    • Have a board of directors reflecting Mat-Su representation.

    Although Healthy Impact grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant amounts are considered continuously under the Foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants must be applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    Applicants with questions about MSHF’s grant programs may contact Vickie Reese, program assistant, at (907) 352-2872 or vreese@www.healthymatsu.org for assistance.

    Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE RANKED BY COMMUNITY AS MAT-SU’S GREATEST HEALTH CHALLENGE

    Wasilla, Alaska — Mat-Su Health Foundation recently completed an extensive assessment of the community’s health needs. After analyzing volumes of data, including research commissioned especially for this study, and hearing from more than 500 people at 23 community meetings and via an online portal, the majority of the community ranked alcohol and substance abuse as the most serious health problem facing the Mat-Su. The next-highest ranked concern was child and youth abuse and violence.

    “The Mat-Su Community Health Needs Assessment took us on a fascinating journey,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Over the last 18 months, we dialogued with as many people as possible in order to ensure that our report accurately reflected what the community sees as its major health issues. The power to solve big problems grows from the strength of a community coming together to solve them, and this health needs assessment process reinforced how much Mat-Su people care about working together to create a healthier, happier community.”

    The community meetings were held throughout the Mat-Su Borough. Some were targeted to specific groups
    – for example, emergency responders, school nurses, business leaders and government officials. Other meetings were open to the general public and held in communities from Talkeetna to Sutton. A dedicated website was launched to invite feedback from those who could not attend a meeting in person.

    “Now that the community has spoken and identified its highest priority health issues, Mat-Su Health Foundation will work to provide leadership and funding to address the most pressing concerns: improving access for children and adults to mental health care and substance abuse treatment and preventing childhood trauma,” said Ripley. “Our Board of Directors decided last year that the Foundation could be most effective by concentrating its work in several major focus areas. The first focus area selected was Healthy Seniors, and our work there is well under way. Now we are adding Behavioral Health and Childhood Trauma as foci and beginning the process to work with community partners to improve treatment and prevention efforts
    here in Mat-Su.”

    In addition to ranking heath issues, participants in the community meetings were also asked to rank goals for health in the Mat-Su. The top health issues and goals identified by the community were all related to behavioral health:

    Top Health Issues
    • Alcohol and substance abuse
    • Child abuse and violence
    • Access to mental health care*
    • Depression and suicide*
    • Domestic Violence and sexual assault*

    Top Health Goals
    • Children are safe and well-cared for
    • All Mat-Su residents are drug free and either sober or drink responsibly
    • All Mat-Su residents are able to find, access and benefit from health care
    • All Mat-Su residents are able to find, access and benefit from mental health care*
    • We live in a violence-free community*
    • We all have healthy relationships*

    (The last three health issues and health goals tied for the number of votes received when ranked by the community.)

    The full 164-page Mat-Su Community Health Needs Assessment as well as an Executive Summary and details of how the community ranked health issues and goals have been published on the Foundation’s website at www.heathymatsu.org.

    “A project of this magnitude needs a lot of support,” said Ripley. “We are grateful to our partners who offered insight and expertise as part of the health needs assessment, and also to those that provided funding.” Contributors to the project included the following: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; BP Alaska; Chickaloon Village Traditional Council; Denali Commission; Knik Tribal Council; Mat-Su Agency Partnership; Mat-Su Borough; Mat-Su Borough School District; Mat-Su Coalition of Senior Centers; Mat- Su Health Services; Mat-Su Public Health; Mat-Su Regional Medical Center; Providence Health and Services Alaska; Rasmuson Foundation; State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services; Southcentral Foundation; Sunshine Community Health Center; United Way of Mat-Su; and, Valley Charities, Inc.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

    Wasilla, AK— Annually the Mat-Su Health Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students pursuing degrees in health and wellness. Mat-Su residents interested in becoming doctors, nurses, psychologists, substance abuse counselors, or other health-related professionals are invited to apply for the scholarships at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    In 2015, the MSHF awarded almost $300,000 to 75 members of the Mat-Su community to help build the Mat-Su’s health care workforce of the future. Two types of scholarship are offered, Academic and Vocational:

  • Academic scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse. The application period for academic scholarships is open until 4 pm AKST on Friday, March 25, 2016.

  • Vocational scholarships assist residents with the cost of training in, or certifications for, jobs in a health and/or social/human services field. Applications for vocational scholarships are accepted year-round.

    • Applicants for Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships need to live in the Mat-Su, but they don’t have to go to college in Alaska to qualify – they just need to be committed to serving our community by returning home when they graduate. Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at www.healthymatsu.org/.
    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • APPLY NOW FOR MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

    Wasilla, AK— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is seeking applications from local residents interested in pursuing health-related careers. In 2014, the MSHF awarded more than $260,000 to help build the Mat-Su’s health care workforce of the future. Two types of scholarship are offered:

  • Academic scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse. The application period for academic scholarships is open until 4 pm AKST on Friday, March 20, 2015.
  • Vocational scholarships assist residents with the cost of training in, or certifications for, jobs in a health and/or social/human services field. Applications for vocational scholarships are accepted year-round.

    • Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • GRANT APPLICATION SYSTEM WILL BE UNAVAILABLE DURING SYSTEM UPGRADES

    The Mat-Su Health Foundation online grant application system will be unavailable from Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, while we upgrade our system. Organizations will not be able to apply for grants or complete grant agreements and reports during that time. We apologize for this inconvenience and we look forward to serving you when the system has been upgraded. In addition, our grant staff will be training for the week of Nov. 11 and unable to assist grantees with questions, etc. Please see the Contact Us page to email us and we will resend as soon as possible upon our return. Thank you!

  • IMPACT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ON COMMUNITY DETAILED IN NEW REPORT

    Wasilla, Alaska —The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has published a report examining the care that Borough residents receive when they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. It is the result of an ongoing research project called a Behavioral Health Environmental Scan (BHES) being conducted in response to a 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment that ranked mental and emotional health and substance abuse as the Borough’s highest-priority health concerns. The report just released focuses on the Mat-Su’s crisis response system, which includes ambulances, law enforcement, and hospital emergency rooms. It is the first of three reports which will result from the Scan.

    “Behavioral health conditions can adversely affect the lives of local residents, and even contribute to premature death,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “This report shows that the current system of care is not adequately meeting the needs of local residents seeking behavioral health treatment. Many people do not receive behavioral health care until they have reached the point of crisis, and we feel that there is an opportunity to offer care in the community before a treatable issue turns into a crisis.”

    As documented in the report, impacts of behavioral health issues in the community include the following:

  • About 1 out of 4 vehicle fatalities and other serious injuries involve drugs and alcohol;
    • Alcohol and substance abuse is suspected in almost half of all Mat-Su suicides and homicides;
    • Mat-Su has a suicide death rate twice as high as the US rate — 23.2 deaths per 100,000 people vs. 11.3 for the U.S.;
    • In 2013, 20% of Mat-Su middle school students said that they seriously considered suicide in the last year.

    • Beyond the human impact, behavioral health issues have a significant economic impact:

  • In 2013, the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Emergency Department served 2,391 patients with
    a behavioral health diagnoses, with charges totaling an estimated $23 million.
    • An additional $1.6 million was spent on other parts of the response system such as law enforcement,
    911 dispatch, transport, and services at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute.
    • These costs do not include expenses for Borough residents who went directly to Anchorage for care, bypassing the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center emergency department.
    • Patients with behavioral health needs had 6,053 visits to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center emergency department in 2013. “Super Utilizers” – those with 10+ visits in a year – had 1,024 visits.

    • “Care provided to individuals who are in crisis in an emergency department is often less effective than other types of care provided in a nonhospital setting by behavioral health professionals, yet there are gaps in the availability of these services in Mat-Su,” said Ripley. “This results in residents not accessing care until they are in a crisis situation.”

    Based upon this data gathered for the study, thirteen recommendations were presented in the report. Among the recommendations are the following:

  • Implement Medicaid expansion in Alaska in order to make behavioral health care available to more people.
    • Adequately plan and prioritize services regionally, such as through a nonprofit Regional Behavioral Health Authority.
    • Establish more behavioral crisis response services in the Mat-Su.
    • Provide crisis intervention team training for law enforcement and emergency responders, hospital and other crisis system staff.
    • Provide Trauma-Informed training for first responders.

    • The entire report is available for download here. An Executive Summary is also available.

    Methodology of the Behavioral Health Environmental Scan
    The Behavioral Health Environmental scan included a Gap Analysis and Community Perceptions Study, conducted by the MSHF, which used data collected from 65 in-depth interviews with crisis responders and other professionals. A Policy and Funding Analysis, conducted by the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) examined Alaska and federal statutes, rules, and funding data, as well as findings from15 in-depth interviews with key statewide informants. An Emergency Response and "Hot Spot" Analysis, conducted by McDowell Group, examined patient, visit, diagnosis, charge (cost), and first-responder data to provide a snapshot of how the community uses the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. GIS mapping helped interpret emergency department and socioeconomic data at the Mat-Su Borough level. The full report and an executive summary are available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • LOCAL LEADERS IN HEALTH RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS

    Wasilla, Alaska —Former Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member Craig Thorn was recently selected as the 2014 recipient of the Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community, and Mat-Su Health Foundation board member Benjamin Olmedo received international recognition with his selection for a 2014 REAL Award.

    The Bert Hall Award is presented annually by the Mat-Su Health Foundation board of directors to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of people in the Mat-Su Borough. 2014 award recipient Craig Thorn was a board member and later board chair of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, and he served in that role until he recently resigned to pursue other interests. He previously served on the Mat-Su Health Foundation board of directors, where he also was elected chair. Craig is a lifelong Alaskan with a long history of community service, including as past president of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce and the Palmer Rotary Club, and as a board member of United Way of Mat-Su.

    “Craig has given extensively of his time and expertise to our community,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “His leadership on the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and Mat-Su Health Foundation boards has had a direct, positive impact on the health of Mat-Su residents.”

    The REAL Awards program was created by Save the Children and the Frontline Health Workers Coalition to celebrate the contributions of healthcare workers who save lives every day around the world. Ben Olmedo was one of only 26 awardees in ten different categories from 13 countries, and he was the only physician assistant recognized. Ben, who joined the MSHF board 2013, is a primary care physician assistant with Southcentral Foundation and serves patients at the Chickaloon Village Health Clinic in Chickaloon and the Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla. He is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of captain and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Naval Commendation Medal for contributions made during operations in Afghanistan.

    “Ben is a real asset to the Mat-Su Health Foundation board of directors. His expertise in health care allows him to make significant contributions to our work,” said board chair Linda Conover. “We’re proud of the national recognition he has received with this award.”

  • LOCAL NONPROFITS AWARDED $1.75 MILLION BY MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION

    Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation board of directors recently approved the awarding of $1,752,000 to eight organizations working to improve the health of Mat-Su residents. The funds will go to the Alaska Youth and Family Network; CCS Early Learning, the City of Wasilla Library; MYHouse; Onward and Upward, Inc.; Sunshine Community Health Center; the University of Alaska Anchorage Mat-Su College; and, Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI). The awards were part of the Foundation’s Healthy Impact grant program, and the grants are earmarked for the following projects:

    • The Alaska Youth and Family Network (AYFN) Mat-Su office was awarded $375,000 over two years to provide convening space and additional staff to scale the number of families and children the organization assists in the Mat-Su. AYFN identifies, serves and stabilizes families of children and youth experiencing behavioral health challenges. Engaging these families increases the likelihood of preserving or reuniting, builds resiliency, and promotes recovery.
    • The City of Wasilla Public Library received a grant for $25,000 to purchase health-related materials for the new library currently under construction.
    • CCS Early Learning was awarded $50,000 for its Road to Resilience project to provide training to staff and families about the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), peer support, and mental health counseling.
    • MYHouse received a grant of $75,000 to help fund a street outreach coordinator, data coordinator, and outreach program support for this organization, which works with homeless youth and young adults to help them become contributing, self-supporting members of the community.
    • Onward and Upward, Inc. was awarded $347,500 over three years to build program capacity for its strength-based curriculum designed to support positive development and academic enrichment for at-risk youth in the Mat-Su.
    • Sunshine Community Health Center received a grant of $168,840 to supplement a total project cost of $409,474 to establish two new positions: An LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and a Behavioral Health Nurse Case Manager. These new positions would be added to the existing workforce to further expand and integrate behavioral health services into the existing primary care programs at its locations in Willow and Talkeetna.
    • The University of Alaska Anchorage Mat-Su Campus received a grant of $195,864 to expand a pilot project for the delivery of mental health care services to students through a contract with Mat-Su Health Services. Additionally, the grant will support implementation of a healthy lifestyle education program for students and will provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
    • Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI) was awarded $500,000 through a PRI (Program Related Investment) to purchase land adjacent to its campus in Wasilla. WASI provides a variety of programs and services to seniors residing in the Mat-Su and the land it is purchasing allow it to supplement those services as the Valley’s senior population grows.

    The Foundation will announce the recipients of its next round of Healthy Impact grants in the Spring of 2016.

    ###
    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

     

  • LOCAL RESIDENTS INIVITED TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON HEALTH IN THE VALLEY

    Wasilla, AK— Is Mat-Su Healthy? How can we make it the healthiest place in the country? The general public is invited to help answer these questions at a series of meetings scheduled in April.

    Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has been working in association with other organizations to conduct a Community Health Assessment to identify the major health needs of Mat-Su residents and work with the community to prioritize and address those needs. One phase of the assessment is a workplace survey that has already been completed. In addition, health data from a variety of sources has been compiled and analyzed. The next step is to share information collected so far and get direct input from local residents.

    The public meetings are scheduled as follows:

    Monday, April 1, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Upper Susitna Senior Center
    Wednesday, April 3, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Palmer High School
    Thursday, April 4, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Houston High School
    Monday, April 8, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Wasilla High School
    Wednesday, April 10, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Sutton Library
    Thursday, April 11, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Willow Community Center

    Mat-Su Health Foundation is providing free child care and refreshments at every meeting. All attendees will be eligible to receive a free pool, ice rink or health club pass as well.

    “The community health assessment is a dynamic process to gather and share health-related information across the entire community,” said Elizabeth Ripley, Executive Director, Mat-Su Health Foundation. “One of the major outcomes of the public meetings will be a priority list of the top five health issues the community thinks are most important. We will use this information to inform our giving and strategic initiative plans.”

    Other outcomes of the community health assessment will be the creation of a “health scorecard” to assess community health on an ongoing basis, and the creation of a data repository on the MSHF website to give grant writers, local media, planners, leaders and the general public an easy to use source for health related data.

    The Mat-Su Community Health Assessment is sponsored by the following funding organizations: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; BP Alaska; Denali Commission; Mat-Su Agency Partnership; Mat-Su Borough; Mat-Su Coalition of Senior Centers; Mat-Su Community Health Centers; Mat-Su Health Foundation; Mat-Su Public Health/State of AK DHSS; Providence Health Systems; Rasmuson Foundation; Southcentral Foundation; and, United Way of Mat-Su.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su.