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Dear Alliance Community,

February is shaping up to be a busy and energizing month for the Alliance, with several opportunities to gather, learn, and move shared work forward.

We’re especially looking ahead to Calricaraq, with registration now closed and excitement building to be together with everyone soon. This gathering will be a powerful space for connection, reflection, and skill-building, and we can’t wait to welcome participants later this month.

On February 19^th, we’ll host our virtual All Alliance meeting, focused on collaboration around the Rural Health Transformation projects. If you’re considering submitting a Letter of Intent, this will be a great space to request support, think through ideas, or learn about projects others are developing. Even if you’re not yet familiar with the Rural Health Transformation Project (RHTP) funding coming to Alaska, we encourage you to join to learn more. Together, The Alliance and our partners have a unique opportunity to support innovative and impactful projects across the state. If haven't already, we recommend watch the webinar (that describes the funding further), view the slide deck, and/or view the webinar recap ahead of the meeting.

The Policy Workgroup will meet on February 13^th to discuss a proposed advocacy action emerging from the Alliance–USAPA collaboration. This conversation will help shape what could become the Alliance’s first official advocacy initiative, and we strongly encourage members to attend and share their perspective.

This month’s Evaluation & Learning Workgroup on February 5^th will explore Principles-Focused Evaluation, offering a chance to deepen shared understanding of how values and principles can guide meaningful evaluation in prevention work.

We invite you to explore all the events, opportunities, and announcements below and to check out the important work being shared by Alliance members across the state.

Warmly,

Tesia Bobrycki

Coalition Coordinator

tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org

Meeting: Rural Health Transformation Program Funding

Join partners from across the Kenai Peninsula for an in-person convening focused on sharing project ideas and exploring proposal concepts connected to the Rural Health Transformation Program and related funding opportunities.

This collaborative conversation will focus on identifying opportunities for alignment, partnership, and coordination among healthcare providers, community-based programs, social service agencies, governmental partners, and organizations working to support individuals and families across the region.

The meeting will be held on February 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Central Peninsula Hospital in the Denali Room, with beverages and a light lunch provided. This convening is intended for organizations interested in collaboration, shared impact, and strengthening rural health systems across the Kenai Peninsula.

AYDC Engagement Opportunities

1. Second Order Change 2026

Second Order Change is a six-week (Feb-Apr) in-person course designed to enhance the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) skills of youth development professionals working in Anchorage’s youth-serving programs and organizations. Application deadline is February 6, 2026.

APPLY HERE

 2."Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, and Resilience: Tools to Thrive in Challenging Work" Workshop

This session provides information and support for youth serving providers who may be experiencing the effects of secondary trauma and resulting compassion fatigue and who can benefit from opportunities to discuss support strategies from both an individual and an organizational perspective.

Date/Time: Wednesday, February 3 | 1:30–3:30 pm AK

Location: Hybrid (In Person and Zoom)  

Facilitators: Jill Ramsey, The Alaska Training Cooperative, UAA Center for Human Development

REGISTER HERE

3. February AYDC Coalition Meeting

Spotlight Presentation: Let Teens Lead: How to End Violence in Alaska

This February, we will be learning from Alaska Teens Against Abuse (ATAA), a dynamic, youth-led movement that empowers young Alaskans to stand up against abuse and take the lead in creating safer, more respectful communities.(See our February agenda for more details.)

Presenter: Geran Tarr is the Mentor for Alaska Teens Against Abuse 

When: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 1:30-3:00PM AK

Where: Hybrid Meeting

• In-person: Center for Safe Alaskans | Conference Room | 4241 B St #100, Anchorage, AK 99503
• Please RSVP if you plan to attend in person. Space is limited to 12 guests.

Zoom Link: Click here to join

True North Recover Workshops Available

Mark your calendars for upcoming True North Recovery (TNR) Training Academy workshops!

TNR Training Academy offers virtual trainings for anyone working in or alongside behavioral health, recovery, and peer support. Spring 2026 sessions include Intro to Group Counseling (January 14), Intro to Client-Centered Counseling (February 19–20), Psychophysiology (March 19–20), and a Virtual Peer Series running Fridays from April 3–May 1.

All trainings offer NAADAC-approved continuing education credits and support professional growth across the recovery workforce. For more information, reach out to training@tnrak.org.

REGISTER HERE

28th Annual Spirit of Youth Awards

Save the date this March 28th, the Spirit of Youth Awards is here!

Hosted at the Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, this annual event celebrates dedicated young people working in their communities to better Alaska in various ways.

These awards recognize the hard work and efforts of these future leaders. 

Second Order Change Series

There’s a reason so many youth workers, educators, and community leaders feel stretched thin right now.

Young people are navigating fear, grief, uncertainty, and rapid change, and the adults who support them are being asked to hold more than ever before.

Second Order Change exists for this moment.

The curriculum has been thoughtfully updated and revised, reflecting what we’re learning in real time about youth wellbeing, adult resilience, and the conditions that help people truly thrive. Even if you’ve participated in Second Order Change before, this new iteration offers fresh tools, deeper reflection, and renewed space for practice.

This learning series goes beyond surface-level strategies and focuses on the deeper conditions that support both youth and the adults who care for them. Participants build practical, embodied social-emotional learning skills they can apply immediately.

Through guided reflection, shared learning, and real-world application, Second Order Change helps you:

• Strengthen self-awareness and emotional regulation
• Build more responsive, connected relationships with youth
• Shift from reactive problem-solving to sustainable, values-aligned practice
• Create environments where young people feel safe, seen, and supported

This is not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most, more intentionally.

If you’re feeling the weight of this moment and still believe in the possibility of a better future for young people, Second Order Change may be exactly what you’re looking for.

The next cohort meets on

Wednesday mornings starting February 18 through April 1, 2026.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and spots are limited.

Applications close February 6, 2026

Questions?

Contact Rebekah Wilcox at rebekah@safealaskans.org

If cost is a barrier, please reach out directly. We don’t want finances to be the reason someone can’t participate.

APPLY HERE

Including Outcomes Framework Training

Join Banyan Collaborative senior trainer Katie Dively, MS, MCHES, for a three-day virtual training focused on building shared understanding, taking thoughtful action, and learning together along the way.

Through guided discussion and hands-on activities, participants will explore how to strengthen collaboration, support lasting change, and grow a culture of prevention. The training includes six two-hour Zoom sessions, continuing education credits, and a one-on-one strategy session to help apply what you learn in your own community.

REGISTER HERE

Positive Indian Parenting Class - Now In Person

The Fairbanks Resource Center for Parents and Children is excited to offer Positive Indian Parenting in person for the first time! The first class begins March 6 at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Resource Center for Parents and Children. This course is open to caregivers and provides a supportive space to learn, share, and build skills together.

Caregivers can sign up by emailing or calling directly - details are listed on the flyer. Please feel free to share this opportunity with caregivers and community members who may benefit. Virtual sessions will continue to be available for caregivers outside of Fairbanks, and they are exploring the possibility of child care during in-person sessions - more information to come.

Winter Warming Workshop

Stay warm, connected, and prepared this winter at the Winter Warming Workshop. Participants will learn basic winter survival skills, build community connections, and create personal survival kits.

The workshop will be held at Anchor Park UMC on Friday, January 30, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

For more information, contact Trusted Connections at 907-538-4211.

Heal(th) From Within Regional Gathering Report

One of the goals of the Heal(th) from Within project is to learn what works - through research and conversation with Alaska Native tribes and communities - when it comes to addressing substance use, overdose, mental health, and pain.

By engaging in Regional Gatherings and Zoom Network meetings, the project listens, documents, and shares approaches that support healing in ways that are grounded in culture and community. On June 24, 2025, forty community members from Southcentral and Southwest Alaska gathered in Anchorage to share stories, highlight local strengths, and discuss strategies for healing.

One clear message came through: solutions work best when they are rooted in culture, flexible in design, and shaped by the people most impacted. As one participant said, “Recovery can’t just be sobriety. It’s the positive impact of people finding connection… connecting with their culture and community, drawing strength from elders, and being able to utilize those services.”

READ THE REPORT HERE HERE

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

🧡 February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month 🧡

February is recognized nationwide as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to uplift conversations about healthy, respectful relationships and the skills young people need to build them. It’s also an opportunity for communities to come together around prevention, connection, and support for teens as they navigate relationships during an important stage of development.

Research shows that many teens encounter relationship challenges early on, which can influence their mental health, safety, and overall well-being over time. Studies also highlight that experiences with unhealthy relationships often overlap with other risk factors, including alcohol use. This is why open, supportive conversations with teens about healthy boundaries, consent, and how alcohol can impact decision-making and safety are a powerful and proactive part of prevention.

🧠 How You Can Help Youth in Your Community

Here are ways you can engage teens and support healthy connections this February and beyond:



• Start conversations about respect, boundaries, and communication - open dialogue builds awareness and resilience.
• Share prevention resources like Love Is Respect, 2026 TDVAPM Prevention Program Resources, Teen Dating Violence & Healthy Relationship Resources - Educators and Supportive Adults, or the Dating Matters toolkit to help youth learn what healthy relationships look like.
• Use the Choose Connection Campaign - an initiative from The Alliance encouraging deeper, safer connections between teens and trusted adults, with tools and materials to support meaningful conversations.
• Host or join community events such as displays at schools, discussion panels, or social media activities that elevate teen voices and educate peers. Order SWAG here to share! 

📲 Follow The Alliance on Facebook and Share What You are Doing!!!

👉 Follow us on Facebook! Let's join together to share resources, prevention tips, campaign highlights like Choose Connection, and statewide efforts supporting healthy youth relationships. By following and engaging with our content (don't forget to #TheAlliance), you not only stay informed - you help inspire others across Alaska to take part in prevention and support. Together we can create stronger, safer communities for our young people. 

Choose Connection and ICYMI

Choose Connection and In Case You Missed It are youth-informed social norms campaigns designed to prevent underage drinking by fostering positive connections and safe, supportive spaces. These campaigns highlight shared protective factors and use a mix of digital media, traditional outreach, and community-based engagement to reach Alaska’s youth, parents, and community leaders.

You can help spread the word by using the Outreach Toolkit, which includes ready-to-use social media graphics and videos, a content bank, press and partner outreach templates, and print-ready posters, stickers, and postcards. Materials are available to download directly from our Google Drive.

You can also request printed materials to be mailed to you. If you are short on time, simply follow and share our posts on social media to support the campaign!

Alaska Pregnancy Substance Use Guide

Two additional advisory group members are being sought to help shape the Alaska Pregnancy and Substance Use Guide. Led by Sphera Nova and co-created with the Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction, the advisory group will help determine content that is relevant to the culture and healing of Alaskans.

FILL OUT THE FORM HERE

How Do You Choose Connection?

Our amazing administrative coordinator, Kara Stewart, shared three ways she’s been choosing connection:

“I have been choosing connection by spending time with my loved ones. I went to Seattle for the holidays and got to spend time with my sister and mom. When I came home, I hosted a game night with friends and made a new favorite dish, bruschetta dip. And with all this snow, I’ve been running around outside with my dog Pepper, getting us both some movement and some fun!”

We’d love to hear from all of you about how you choose connection, whether in small daily moments or in the big steps you’re taking to find and maintain it in your lives!



Email your connection stories to Tesia: tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org.

Q2 Alliance Snapshot (Oct-Dec 2025)

This quarter’s dashboard highlights continued growth and engagement across The Alliance, including strong participation in All Alliance meetings, Open Space sessions, and workgroups. It also captures who makes up our network, where members are connecting from across the state, and the progress workgroups made advancing learning, policy, evaluation, communications, and strategy design.

Together, these data points offer a clear picture of our collective momentum and impact going into the next quarter.

READ THE REPORT HERE

About The Alliance

The Alliance is a collaborative effort of multiple and diverse partners across Alaska who recognize the harms of alcohol on individuals and communities. We are personally and professionally committed to working together to address this complex problem in our state.

Our primary goal is to connect and engage communities as partners — increasing protective factors, reducing risk factors, and changing social norms — to prevent underage alcohol use and eliminate all harms of alcohol use in Alaska.

Alliance Materials:

• The Alliance's common agenda
• The Alliance's Resource Page

Get Involved!

Between starting new work and sustaining our progress, there are many opportunities to participate in The Alliance! All current workgroups are open to any member who would like to join. You can always read more about our workgroups and their purpose on the Get Involved page of our website. Our network practices an emergent strategy, and we update information based on our network's needs.

• The Communications & Social Norms Workgroup is led by an experienced media and communications contractor and advances the two social norms campaigns addressing underage drinking Choose Connection and In Case You Missed It. Th workgroup also supports the Alliance's various other internal and external communications needs. This workgroup meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 1-2 pm.
• The Data and Learning Workgroup is led by an data expert and will be supporting data equity conversations and practices. This workgroup meetings on the third Monday from 3pm - 4pm.
• The Evaluation and Learning Workgroup is where members can participate in designing the annual evaluation process for the Alliance alongside a professional evaluator and receive technical assistance and support on utilizing evaluation in their work. This workgroup meets on the first Thursday of the month from 10am - 11am.
• The Strategic Design Workgroup builds structures and processes for the network to work in alignment with our values and theory of change. This workgroup is led by an experienced prevention professional and regional co-chair and meets monthly on the third Tuesday from 1pm - 2pm.
• The Policy Workgroup is led by a policy expert and works to track alcohol and prevention policies, identifies and designs advocacy actions, and provides technical assistance to individuals wanting to engage in the political process. This workgroup meets monthly on the second Friday from 11am - 12pm.

You are welcome to ask questions about those workgroups or to ask to join any of them.

Want to Lead Change? Apply to Be a Co-Chair of the Alaska Alliance!

Are you passionate about shaping Alaska’s future and driving meaningful community impact? The Alliance is now accepting applications for the Co-Chair position. This is a unique opportunity to help guide the organization’s vision, build partnerships, and amplify our collective voice.

If you’re interested in stepping up as a leader and making a difference, we encourage you to apply!

APPLY HERE

If you would like to submit content for The Alliance newsletter, please email Tesia at tbobrycki@recoveralaska.org and Kara at kstewart@recoveralaska.org.