When Walter P. started his summer job as a luggage handler for HAP-Yukon-Alaska , he wasn’t sure he’d like working with customers.

It had been six years since he’d had a job. He was worried interacting with customers would make him anxious. But it turned out, he liked it – and he was good at it.

His supervisors wrote that he was always helpful and willing to pitch in. The tips from customer indicate they appreciated him too. Read More

With easy access to hand-held electronics, it can be tough for caregivers to set and enforce limits with their tweens and teens. In this free introductory class, Parenting with Love & Limits Program Manager Meghan Magone will present some technological solutions, but mostly she'll spend time on the relationship aspects of limit-setting. There will be plenty of time for Q & A.

Four FCMHS staff members recently attended Challenge Day at Tanana Middle School . Challenge Day is a curriculum designed to reduce bullying by building compassion. In a series of activities, students learn about they challenges students have faced and how much they have in common. Staff who participated were moved and inspired by the stories they heard.

Read their reflections here

The Alaska Child Trauma Center is pleased to announce a new partnership with the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to expand mental health services in Fairbanks schools for children who have experienced trauma. The goal of the five year demonstration project is to develop a statewide model for delivering mental health services in schools. Read More

April McElhenny, MSW has more than six years of experience with children and adults who have been impacted by childhood trauma. She’s worked in different settings – child welfare, juvenile justice and substance abuse treatment. At ACMHS, she really enjoys working with families and their caregivers. She’s seen that working with children is way more successful when she’s also having success with engaged caregivers. Read More

The next session of Parenting with Love and Limits starts November 18! To learn more about this structured family therapy program, contact Meghan Magone at 907-762-2814 or follow the link.

ACMHS staff participated in the Veterans Stand Down at the Anchorage airport on October 25. Close to 100 veterans stopped by the booth to learn more about mental health and vocational services and pick up a warm hat or scarf.

Anchorage staff have also recently attended outreach events at Begich Middle School, Southcentral Foundation, and the Anchorage School District's ACT program as well as the National Association of Drug Abuse and Addiction Counselors Annual Alaska training conference.

If you're shopping at Amazon this holiday season, remember to use smile.amazon.com and choose Anchorage Community Mental Health Services, Inc. as your charity. Donations support services in Anchorage and Fairbanks, including the Power Center @ ACMHS/Alaska Youth Advocates and Alaska Seeds of Change .