PRESS RELEASE
Ten local organizations were recently selected to receive Mat-Su Health Foundation grants totaling more than $1.68 million under the foundation’s Healthy Impact grant program. The grants will go to the American Lung Association, Assistive Technology of Alaska, The Children’s Place, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Frontline Mission, Links/ADRC, Nugen’s Ranch, Planned Parenthood, Sunshine Community Health Center and Wasilla Youth Baseball.
Healthy Impact Grants are awarded twice annually by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to fund local health-related projects in excess of $15,000. The recently selected grantees are:
• American Lung Association - $83,524 for home air quality assessments and remediation plans for senior citizens, prioritizing homes primarily heated with wood.
• Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) - $50,000 to partially fund an assistive technology acquisition coordinator staff position who will assist Mat-Su residents in obtaining funding to purchase assistive technology. Assistive technology is any equipment, device, product or system – both low tech and high tech – that enables a person with a disability or a senior citizen to accomplish tasks safely and independently.
• The Children’s Place - $750,000 towards design and construction of a new Wasilla facility to meet growing demand for its services related to evaluation, investigation and treatment of child abuse.
• Cook Inlet Tribal Council - $120,640 to fund substance abuse assessment services and peer support in the Mat-Su. The assessment services will be provided in conjunction with Knik Tribal Council and Chickaloon Village.
• Frontline Mission - $115,000 to strengthen the organization in the area of high level leadership development and to hire a full-time director and a part-time program coordinator.
• Links/ADRC - $99,523 in general operational support to continue to fund the Mat-Su’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and support the organization in achieving its goal of connecting clients to long-term services and supports.
• Nugen’s Ranch - $140,000 to be used for three purposes: to purchase a delivery truck, to develop an organizational/business plan for the organization and to develop an executive director transition plan.
• Planned Parenthood - $40,000 to market its online health services, which allow patients access to secure face-to-face consultation with a health provider on their computer or mobile device.
• Sunshine Community Health Center - $229,387 to purchase medical equipment for its Willow and Talkeetna clinics and for remodeling of the Willow entrance lobby.
• Wasilla Youth Baseball - $60,000 to enhance both player and spectator safety through field improvements and backstop replacement.
The application period for the next round of Healthy Impact grants begins on January 1, 2017. The Mat-Su Health Foundation also offers a Target Wellness grant program for projects less than $15,000, and it is open year-round. More information and the online applications can be found at www.healthymatsu.org.
About MSHF:
Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association Inc. which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org.