Category: Connect Mat-Su

  • Meet the Connectors at Connect Mat-Su

    Meet the Connectors at Connect Mat-Su

    Connect Mat-Su was established by the Mat-Su Health Foundation in response to the community expressing a need for access to essential services. The Foundation’s Community Health Assessment, a survey of Mat-Su Valley residents about their needs and experiences, found that despite essential services existing in the Valley, people were not able to find the support they needed.

    That’s where Connect Mat-Su comes in: as a conduit between service providers and the people of Mat-Su. It helps residents easily get connected to over 1,752 participating providers, and find services to meet their needs—from healthcare to housing and more.

    The Connect Mat-Su Team (left to right): Ashley Peltier, Tyler Bowman, Brian Tiefenbrun, Lane Gambil, and Cynthia Norvell. Not Pictured: Kailea Cullen

    While the Connect Mat-Su website provides a tool that residents can browse on their own to find services, the Connect team is also on hand to directly help residents find services that are a good fit. The team also supports its large network of providers along the way. It’s a program of and for the people of the Mat-Su Valley, led by passionate community-builders.

    Meet the team that makes Connect Mat-Su a reality!

    While some members of the Connect-Mat-Su team have been around since the program’s earliest days, there’s also been growth in order to best meet community needs. We’re proud of the people who work so diligently to serve the community.

    Ashley Peltier | Connect Mat-Su Director

    Ashley directs program staff, oversees operations, and ensures strategic alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Before joining Mat-Su Health Foundation, Ashley worked at various non-profits in the Mat-Su, including Alaska Family Services, Southcentral Foundation, and the American Lung Association. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys entertaining, cooking, fishing, and golfing.

    Brian Tiefenbrun | Operations Manager 

    Brian leads the operational and technical functions, including managing the community resource database and the Connect Mat-Su website. With 10 years of military service as a Combat Medic and experience in state government and behavioral health, Brian brings a diverse skill set in leadership and project management. He holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology from American Military University and graphic design with a concentration in web development from Southern New Hampshire University. Brian is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of his community through his work and volunteerism. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Alaska’s outdoors with his wife, Amanda, and their three daughters.

    Cynthia Norvell | Information and Referral Coordinator

    Cynthia brings many years of experience working in the nonprofit social service field.  In the Connect Mat-Su team, her primary role is to conduct follow-up with clients with complex or emergent needs. Her role includes ensuring equity and inclusion in all interactions with providers and to advocate for clients’ needs.  She supports the team to ensure that all Connect Mat-Su clients are provided with timely and easy-to-access information and referrals. In Cynthia’s spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, quilting, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

    Lane Gambill | Community Resource Specialist

    As part of the direct service team, Lane supports the community through providing information on local organizations and programs. Lane is a Veteran, having served as a medic in the U.S Army. He is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist and has a background in EMS and Fire. In his leisure time he enjoys being outside, mountain biking, hiking, and hunting.

    Tyler Bowman | Projects and Partnerships Coordinator for Connect Mat-Su

    Tyler focuses on building relationships with new and existing partners. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and economics from George Fox University. Prior to joining the Connect Mat-Su team, Tyler was the Technology and Communications Coordinator at Frontline Mission. He worked on implementing technology solutions such as a customer relationship management database system, accounting systems, and fundraising solutions. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, snowboarding, photography, and experiencing new cultures.

    The Foundation is deeply appreciative of what the Connect Mat-Su team continues to do to positively impact our community. With their hard work, our Mat-Su community members are continually able to connect with resources, services, and supports that enhance their lives and well-being.

  • Connect Mat-Su Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Czechowicz

    Connect Mat-Su Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Czechowicz

    Jessica Czechowicz is a volunteer for the Connect Mat-Su COVID Call Line and a registered nurse. She’s worked in an ICU step-down unit that in March of 2020 became a dedicated COVID unit and spent the last year seeing firsthand how it impacts someone’s health. When asked what interested her in the volunteer position, Jessica said, “One of the most difficult things I encountered as a nurse during the pandemic was how to process, disseminate, and embrace the sometimes-daily changes to best practices when dealing with COVID. It was frustrating and confusing. When I saw this volunteer opportunity, I felt a lot of empathy for how confusing it must be to navigate these new guidelines. I could help people who weren’t in the medical field navigate how to keep their families and schools safe.”

    Jessica says this experience has, “shined a light on what an amazing job Mat-Su Public Health and the school district has done in the Mat-Su Borough! They have created a process that is straightforward, evidence-based and has allowed their schools to remain open.” Though she hasn’t received a call during her shift yet, service to others and connection to the community is important to her. She says, “Connect Mat-Su is an amazing organization and I am proud to help support them in their mission to improving the health and wellness of all Alaskans.”

    In partnership with the Mat-Su Borough School District (MSBSD) and Alaska Public Health Nursing (AKPHN), the call line launched in February and will be open through May 21st. Operators are available Monday – Friday from 12-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Call (907) 373-2628 and dial 2 for assistance.

    For more information on the program or how to volunteer, please email volunteer@connectmatsu.org.

  • CONNECT MAT-SU WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR ASHLEY PELTIER

    Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has announced that Ashley Peltier has been hired as the director of Connect Mat-Su. Ashley begins her new position on March 23, 2020.

    Connect Mat-Su was created in 2018 by the foundation and community partners to be a comprehensive and innovative health and social services information and referral resource center serving all residents of Mat-Su. It is a network that is both a physical and virtual resource center linking residents with immediate access to the information, referrals, and direct assistance needed to thrive physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.

    “Finding the right person to fill a key position like director of Connect Mat-Su can be difficult, so we’re thrilled to welcome Ashley to our team,” said MSHF CEO Elizabeth Ripley. “She has a strong history of commitment to improving health and wellness in our community, and her energy and unique skill set are a perfect fit for taking Connect Mat-Su to the next level.”

    In her role as director of Connect Mat-Su, Ashley will lead a team using partnerships and technology to deliver quality, warm, and responsive customer service that ensures all customers get their information and referral (I&R) needs met and successfully get connected to the services they need. Ashley will be responsible for moving forward foundational efforts to launch this program while growing the center’s capacity, scope and quality.  She will report to MSHF Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Ripley and also be accountable to the Connect Mat-Su Steering Committee.

    Ashley was previously director of health promotion for the American Lung Association in Alaska. Prior to being promoted to that position, she was successful in several other roles with that organization, including Mat-Su manager, lung health manager, and lung health coordinator. She also has experience as a health educator at Southcentral Foundation, children’s outreach advocate at Alaska Family Services, and program assistant for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Ashley earned a master’s degree in sociology from the University of North Dakota.

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    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, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services.  More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org .