Rural Alaska invited to apply for domestic violence prevention grants | State invests millions to reinvent prevention in rural Alaska
ANCHORAGE — The State of Alaska is seeking creative and holistic ideas from rural areas on how to build violence-free communities.
Three to four grants will be overseen by the Department of Health & Social Services’ Division of Behavioral Health as part of Gov. Parnell’s statewide initiative to end Alaska’s epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault within a decade.
Recent research has linked traumatic childhood experiences to later health issues such as obesity, tobacco use and injected drug use.
“Too often Alaskans who have experienced trauma cope through substance abuse and other damaging reactions, so we’re pleased to bring our resources to bear on the problem of interpersonal violence and further support providers who are already doing such important work,” said Behavioral Health Director Melissa Stone. “We intend this grant to link stakeholders more closely, expanding the volume and breadth of prevention services.”
A primary grant will go to a regional or community coalition that can serve several surrounding smaller towns and villages. This grant will be for $500,000 in the first year and up to $1 million in the next three years, contingent on continued funding appropriations.
“The complementary strengths of many partners can help communities build robust ways to combat domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Katie TePas, the governor’s domestic violence and sexual assault initiative coordinator.
Two to three additional grants of around $200,000 will go to additional communities.
Successful applicants will need to bring forward new ideas, demonstrate community involvement in assessing regional issues and identify results they intend to accomplish.
Public notice of the request for proposal (RFP) is at http://tinyurl.com/24jl744. The state is willing to help applicants through the process; information on two pre-application teleconferences is in the RFP.
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Contact: Sarana Schell, (907) 269-8041, Cell (907) 240-7462, sarana.schell@alaska.gov
Greg Wilkinson, (907) 269-7285, Cell (907) 382-7032, gregory.wilkinson@alaska.gov
