Rural Outreach Trip

Project Date: 2004-Present
Project Manager: Beth McLaughlin
Clients: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
Location: Rural Alaska

Project Description

Since 2004, Agnew::Beck has coordinated the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority's (AMHTA) Rural Outreach Trip to remote regions of the state. This trip has two principal goals: 1. Provide an opportunity for state policy makers to visit and gain firsthand knowledge of issues and life in rural Alaska communities. 2. Work with rural community leaders to explore opportunities for services in their area

Visitors to communities include Alaska Mental Health Trustees and staff, state legislators and aides, representatives from state administrative agencies, and the four Trust-related planning boards.

Visitors travel to remote host communities to meet with community leaders such as elders, tribal council members, other government officials, social service and behavioral health providers. Trip participants then traveled back to the region's hub community to share lessons learned and to discuss the ways in which the needs of Alaska’s rural communities can best be met.

Through this trip, assistance has been offered to many communities in the region on projects ranging from facility planning to educational enrichment to improvements in respite care.

2005 Rural Outreach Trip Oct. 4-6
Tanana Chiefs Conference Communities: Fairbanks, Nenana, McGrath, Galena, Nulato, Holy Cross, Kaltag, Tok, Tanacross, Tetlin and Eagle. Travel was additionally planned to Minto, due to a village funeral however, was postponed. Final Trip Report 2008

2008 Rural Outreach Trip May 13-15
Maniilaq Association service area: Kotzebue, Kivalina, Noorvik, Shungnak, Kiana, Point Hope and Noatak. Final Trip Report 2008

2009 Rural Outreach Trip Oct. 13-15
Southern Southeast Alaska: Ketchikan, Metlakatla, Hydaburg, Klawock, Craig, Petersburg, Wrangell, Kake and Saxman. Final Trip Report 2009

2011 Rural Outreach Trip Oct. 4-6
Western Bristol Bay (Tentative): Dillingham, Dillingham (Curyung), Twin Hills, Togiak, Manokotak, Aleknagik, Clarks Point, Ekwok, New Stuyahok and Koliganek. Final Trip Report to follow.