Wasilla, Alaska – The Mat-Su Health Foundation Board of Directors recently approved 10 grants totaling $1,890,616 to support a variety of programs and services benefiting Mat-Su residents.

“The grants announced today will positively impact health across generations, from our youth to the older Alaskans who contribute so much to the community,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Ripley. “These awards also recognize the vast geography of the Mat-Su, with awards in more rural areas such as Talkeetna and Chickaloon as well as in the core areas of Wasilla and Palmer.”

• Behavioral Health in Schools: $250,000 to support 10 Mat-Su schools in offering on-site behavioral health services.

• CCS Early Learning: $175,000 to make repairs to the foundation of CCS Learning’s Wasilla administration building.

• Four A’s: $160,000 over two years to allow the organization to deploy a mobile unit providing syringe-exchange services in Mat-Su twice weekly as a harm reduction measure.

• Knik Tribal Council: $100,000 to modernize its information technology infrastructure with new computers, a new operating system, licenses, and backup equipment to improve the broad array of services delivered to tribal members.

• Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC): $200,000 to launch a pilot project to determine whether interventions including home assessments, installation of appropriate “smart home” technology, and the use of telehealth services can enhance the safety and independence of aging Mat-Su residents while also reducing Medicaid costs.

• Sunshine Transit: $170,000 as a start-up grant for Sunshine Transit, which was recently formed after Sunshine Community Health discontinued its transportation services.

• Valley Residential Services: $100,000 towards installation of an elevator in the Century Plaza building to make the second floor accessible for clients, customers and visitors.

• Valley Transit: $277,125 to ensure that the organization receives matching funds from the State of Alaska for sustained operations.

• Veterans Wall of Honor Relocation Project: $312,113 to support moving panels and monuments from the wall’s current site to an enhanced permanent site provided by the City of Wasilla.

• Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI): $146,378 to fund a Fall Prevention Program for Mat-Su’s older residents, enabling them to live in an independent, healthy and safe home environment.

The Mat-Su Health Foundation has several grant programs available; some accept applications year-round, while others have specific opening and closing dates. Complete information can be found online at healthymatsu.org.

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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.