AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Alaska Mental Health Trust Awards Grants to Juneau Organizations
Two Juneau-based beneficiary-serving organizations are among the 20 Alaskan groups awarded grants by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority in the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year. The funding is part of a $3.6 million allocation approved by the Trust Board of Trustees, supporting non-profits, tribal entities, government agencies, and service providers working with Trust beneficiaries.
Grants Target Support and Capacity Building
The grant awards are intended to enhance direct services, capacity building, capital construction and equipment, data and planning, workforce development, and other initiatives that benefit Trust recipients. Both the Kin Support Program Haa – Yaitxu Saiani and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Juneau have received funding for critical aspects of their organizational missions.
Kin Support Program Haa – Yaitxu Saiani: Focus on Program Evaluation and Family Support
The Kin Support Program – Haa Yaitxu Saiani has been granted $150,000 to assist with the first year of a formal program evaluation and to help sustain its operations throughout the process. The organization delivers free legal, financial, and emotional support to relative caregivers who are raising children outside of the formal foster care system.
This investment will support a culturally-grounded kinship navigator model, emphasizing prevention and early intervention. The funding enables the program to contract evaluation work to document and improve its model, as well as maintain essential services for families, such as navigation assistance, legal guidance, caregiver education, and culturally relevant activities.
According to co-director and kin legal advisor Holly Handler, "The number of relatives caring for kids outside the foster care system in Alaska often surprises people. Great weight is placed on their shoulders, usually with minimal support — it’s a real honor for us to work alongside those families."
NAMI Juneau: Advancing Peer Support and Administrative Capacity
NAMI Juneau was awarded $115,000 to aid in its transition to third-party billing for peer support services. The peer-led organization is focused on providing education, advocacy, support, and raising public awareness for those affected by mental illness, enabling them to build better lives.
The new funding aims to boost the organization's administrative capacity, allowing it to expand Medicaid-billable, peer-led groups and recovery support services. By emphasizing ongoing support, NAMI Juneau seeks to ensure the availability and continuity of services for its participants.
Broader Impact of Trust Grants Across Alaska
According to Trust CEO Mary Wilson, "By supporting partners who are innovating, building capacity, and strengthening our workforce, we’re helping ensure that Trust beneficiaries can access the resources they need to thrive. We’re grateful for our dedicated partners doing this work every day and proud to support their impact in communities across the state."
The Trust notes that many funded projects involve collaboration, leveraging support from the philanthropic community, private donations, earned revenue, and other funders. The grants awarded this quarter form part of a larger $25 million distributed annually through the Trust's grant program to bolster mental health, wellness, and support initiatives across Alaska.
Commitment to Strengthening Services for Trust Beneficiaries
The recent grants to the Kin Support Program Haa – Yaitxu Saiani and NAMI Juneau reflect ongoing efforts by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to invest in innovative and sustainable solutions for Trust beneficiaries. These funds promise to help sustain and enhance essential mental health and social service offerings in Juneau and beyond.
Source: juneauempire.com.
