ACMHS Update
June/July 2019
Budget Uncertainty Continues
Watch for Continued Advocacy Opportunities
Like most of you, we are watching the continued budget processes carefully. We are concerned about the effects of the Governor's vetoes on our clients, should funding not be restored. Our low-income clients rely on many of the services that have been cut: housing, food stamps, senior benefits, and early education programs like Head Start, in addition to mental health services.
At this point, behavioral health treatment grants have been cut by $12 million from the original budget considered by the House. We don't know how the Division of Behavioral Health will choose to allocate those cuts. DBH has also issued emergency regulations reducing Medicaid rates for behavioral health by 5%, and intends to make those reductions permanent. Information on how to comment before August 8th can be found here.
Artist Sarah Davies and youth volunteers beautify Spenard
Sarah Davies, the artist who led the 100 Stone Project at Point Woronzof in 2016-2017, is at work on another project at Alaska Seeds of Change . She worked with youth engaged in our vocational training and drop-in center programs to design the mural. Youth and other volunteers are completing the painting this month. The design appears on three sides of the building; the colors were chosen to reflect the purple glow inside the indoor hydroponic farm when the LED grow lights are on.

See the full press release .
Teamwork!
There are definitely some challenges with having our programs split between Anchorage and Fairbanks.
But an event this week highlighted a big advantage. FCMHS Clinical Director Kandy Alley explains:
(at left: a Good Deeds bulletin board at FCMHS thanks staff who go the extra mile)
" It was a great experience collaborating with the Folker (Anchorage Adult outpatient) team to get one of our clients home to Fairbanks.  Within an hours’ time, staff collaborated, directed and executed a plan to assist a client in crisis who had left his home city of Fairbanks and found himself stranded in Anchorage! This has given me inspiration and made me re-evaluate the potential we have to grow and become a much stronger team for our communities and across the state. "
Community support helps Alaska Seeds of Change carry out its mission

The Rasmuson Foundation, Wells Fargo, and the Anchorage Mayor's office support our community's youth through grants

At Alaska Seeds of Change, we provide vocational skills training to our community's youth -- alongside the general life skills that young people need to be successful adults, including mental health supports as needed. We're so grateful for the support for this work! A Rasmuson small capital grant is being used to improve our work space and food safety protocols with a redesigned sink area and new work tables. Funding from Wells Fargo will be used to provide those important "extra" learning opportunities that are so important for all of our youth. And with a mini-grant from the Mayor's office, we're getting our outdoor growing space prepped and ready for next year's outdoor growing season (photo at left.)

Thank you so much for the support!

Food, Fire and Active Learning at the 7th Annual Alaska Advanced Trauma Training Conference
The Seventh Annual Alaska Advanced Trauma Training Conference was a success!

More than 200 attendees participated in two days of learning, with plenary sessions the first day, and more focused break-out sessions on day two. Many of those were opportunities for active, hands-on learning. In the photo at left, ACMHS clinicians led a workshop demonstrating regulations techniques. Other Alaska experts included Dr. Laverne Demientieff of UAF and Dr. Linda Chamberlain.

New this year was an extra evening event. "Food and Fire" showcased two programs that address youth trauma and mental health needs through vocational training. Dr. Brad Stolbach and his crew from Project Fire in Chicago helped guests make glass beads, while youth at Alaska Seeds of Change led tours and explained our hydroponic growing system.
Child Parent Psychotherapy now offered at ACMHS
Child Parent Psychotherapy is designed for young children, birth through age 5 and their parents/caregivers. CPP is designed to respect cultural and family values, support family strengths and relationships, and help families heal and grow after stressful experiences. Call our Child & Family Clinic at 561-0954 for more information.
Parenting with Love and Limits at ACMHS has openings
ACMHS is accepting families to start PLL services in September. PLL is an evidence based, brief family therapy program for families with children age 10-18. We work with the whole family system to improve communication, connection, and behaviors through a combination of group therapy, family therapy, and skill development for youth and parents. Help us get the word out -- print and distribute this flyer! Read more about PLL here.
Head to smile.amazon.com to support ACMHS when you order on-line!