Mark Lackey of CCS Early Learning
receives Bert Hall Award
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Mark Lackey, executive director of CCS Early Learning, has been recognized with the 2023 Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community during the Foundation's Annual Membership Meeting on June 12, 2023. The "Bertie" is an annual recognition presented to an individual or organization that consistently exemplifies commitment to working at the systems level to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.
Since 2005, Mark has been the executive director of CCS, providing Head Start, Early Head Start, and home visiting services to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. He has played a pivotal role in developing a team of highly skilled and trauma-informed staff, expanding services, and advocating for sustainable funding.
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Membership meeting guest speakers | | |
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Marlene Munsell
CEO, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI)
| Marlene spoke about the many things WASI provides to our older adult population as a result of MSHF grantmaking. She highlighted congregate meals, meals on wheels, transportation, healthy gardening and housing. | | |
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LouAnne Carroll-Tysdal
Executive Director, Upper Susitna Food Pantry
| LouAnne shared about the great work they are doing in the Upper Susitna Valley with older adults. She highlighted the opportunity that resulted from their relationship with MSHF and how it has allowed the food pantry to “think outside the box” when it comes to addressing the needs of more isolated seniors. It has allowed them to not only provide meals but transportation to the grocery store, doctor appointments, and more. | |
Become a member of the
Mat-Su Health Foundation today!
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We have great news: membership just got easier! Sign up online today! The benefits of being an MSHF member include:
- Invitation to Annual Membership Meeting (dinner included)
- Bi-monthly members-only newsletter
- Invitations to periodic special events, including opportunities to network with other members, MSHF staff and MSHF board of directors
The cost is only $5 annually or $75 for lifetime membership. Everyone 18+ who resides in Mat-Su is eligible.
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FUNDING NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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More than $240K in grants awarded in May | |
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We're happy to announce that we've awarded 11 Healthy Impact and two Target Wellness grants totaling $241,986 in May 2023. The grants support nonprofit organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough.
Some of those grants include:
- Alaska Pacific University: $49,999 for a program to teach Mat-Su children and adults how to grow healthy food.
- United Way of Mat-Su: $15,000 to support the 2023 Stuff the Bus back-to-school fair.
- Denali Education Center: $15,000 for the Talkeetna (and Denali) Discovery Camp to support a weeklong experiential learning adventure for students in first through eighth grade in Denali and in Talkeetna.
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Native Voices Rising 2023 Grant | |
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Common Counsel Foundation and Native Americans in Philanthropy are pleased to announce that the Native Voices Rising 2023 grant pool is now open for both donors and potential applicants. Since its inception, Native Voice Rising has awarded more than $9 Million of grants to 185+ Native-led, grassroots organizations. These grant partners are collectively engaging tens of thousands of Native community members across the country while focusing on a wide range of critical issues—including environmental and climate justice, health and healing, voter and civic engagement, and youth and intergenerational engagement.
Applications are encouraged from Native-led groups that have a membership base in the community, work to develop leadership, and take collective action to win progressive social change. General support grants are expected to average around $30,000, and range between $20,000 to $40,000. Native Voices Rising must receive complete proposals no later than Friday, July 7, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Final decisions will be made in early November 2023.
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SHARP monthly application cycle | Alaska's SHARP Program (SHARP) is the statewide support-for-service effort that provides partial financial support to health care practitioners in medical, dental and behavioral health disciplines. This is a special opportunity funded by MSHF to support the paraprofessional workforce. The application period for employers opened on Jan. 24, 2023, and will remain open with monthly application cycles. | |
State Allocation for Emergency
Distribution grant (SAFE-D)
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The Alaska Department of Health has allocated $1.68 million to the Food Bank of Alaska, Fairbanks Community Food Bank, Southeast Alaska Food Bank and Kenai Peninsula Food Bank to provide immediate relief in response to the SNAP backlog, fewer donations and decline in federal commodity programs. These funds will be distributed throughout the statewide anti-hunger network through bulk food purchase orders and pass through funding. | |
Mat-Su Food System Convening | |
Date: July 19, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: MSHF Conference Center; virtual option available
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Working with community partners, the Mat-Su Health Foundation launched quarterly convenings last year to bring together anyone interested in learning about the Mat-Su's food access gaps and barriers.
This year, we want to continue the exploration of food access by having small-group participants get out of the meeting room and go for field trips in various areas of the Mat-Su. The goal is to connect with Mat-Su residents who are actually growing/processing/providing local food and highlight any newfound ideas and innovators for attendees of the larger group meetings. Here is the current schedule:
- June 26: Rebarchek Farm
- June 29: Matanuska Experiment Farm
- July 12: Kids Kupboard
This work will provide a strengths-based look at Mat-Su residents’ resourcefulness, giving existing group participants a chance to educate each other about their food outreach strengths, in addition to learning what other new populations in Mat-Su (like Hmong immigrants and Ukrainian refugees) are doing to feed themselves. If you'd like to attend, please email MSHF program assistant Kelsey Anderson at kanderson@healthymatsu.org.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Date: July 26, 2023
Time: 9:00 to 10:30 AM
Location: MSHF Conference Center; virtual option available
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During our recent DSP (Direct Support Professional) Coffee Break, a lot of useful information and ideas were shared amongst the group. Virtual attendance option is available. If you'd like to attend, please email MSHF program assistant Kelsey Anderson at kanderson@healthymatsu.org. | |
Workforce Development Network | |
Date: Aug. 23, 2023
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Location: MSHF Conference Center; virtual option available
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We had a great turnout for our recent Mat-Su Workforce Development Network meeting, which featured a presentation by economist Neal Fried! The Workforce Development Network is designed to improve strategic communications and feedback within organizations and between healthcare workforce development and training partners. If you'd like to attend, please email MSHF program assistant Kelsey Anderson at kanderson@healthymatsu.org. | | |
Grants application reminder | |
Please submit your requests in advance to give the MSHF team ample time to review and process your request prior to the start of your event and/or project. Below is a timeline for Sponsorships. We’re working to create similar timelines for all of our grant programs. In the meantime, if you have questions please contact Victoria Flint, MSHF grants manager, at vflint@healthymatsu.org or 907-373-2816. |
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Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? Check out Ski Brews Cafe's May specials! They also have a seating area right here in the MSHF building at 777 N. Crusey St.
Enjoy an assortment of tasty drinks, sandwiches and daily soup specials from a list of weekly specials. Stop by and support a local, Veteran-owned business!
- Mon - Wed: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Thurs - Fri: 8 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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