“Alaska Senate Bill 174 reinforced person-centered support services planning and reaffirmed that the policy of the state encourages and enables persons with physical and mental disabilities to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state”
“Who we are
The Division of Senior and Disabilities Services (SDS) is the state agency within the Department of Health (DOH) involved in making sure that the state meets the health needs of seniors, people with disabilities, and vulnerable adults.
Our mission is to promote health, well-being and safety for those under its care by helping provide access to quality services and supports that foster independence, personal choice, and dignity.”
This page contains a list of the Job Centers in Alaska with addresses, telephone numbers and links.
“The Alaska WIPA Project provides assistance to beneficiaries who are working at wage employment, self-employment, or who have a job offer pending. Assistance is offered to help understand the various work incentive programs that might be available, and provide advice about how to manage one’s benefits during the transition to paid employment. We provide both initial and follow along assistance to beneficiaries. Benefits Counseling and a written Benefits Summary Analysis (BSA) is provided free of charge.”
“We have paid summer work programs in a variety of communities. Most are 4-6 weeks long and provide students with valuable work experience. Program content varies depending on the community. See list of programs below for details.
Who Can Apply
A student with a disability is: an individual age 14-21 and enrolled in secondary education (high school) who:
• Is on an IEP or 504 plan, or
• Is a student who is potentially eligible for DVR services because of a physical, sensory, intellectual, mental health, and communication disabilities and whose disability could be a barrier to postsecondary education or employment.”
“Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers provide states with flexibility to test new approaches within Medicaid to aid in redesigning and improving their health systems without increasing costs.
Alaska’s 1115 Waiver
In January 2018, Alaska applied to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval of an 1115 behavioral health waiver that would create a data-driven, integrated behavioral health system of care for Alaskans experiencing serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, substance use disorder (SUD), co-occurring substance use and mental illness, and at-risk families and children.”
“United Way of Anchorage (UWA) was awarded a statewide 2019 CMS Navigator Cooperative Agreement serving “Left behind” population that is disproportionately without access to coverage or care and may lack knowledge about affordable options. Including, but not limited to—re-entry population, the unemployed, hourly wage workers, seasonal workers (i.e.: commercial fishers), variable income workers and low-income families with children, immigrants, young adults, and university students. There are no Sub-awardee/Subrecipient Contracted Organizations.. They will partner with Alaska Primary Care Association, Community health centers, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Mat-Su Health Services, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Alaska Division of Public Assistance, Anchorage Project Access, and Alaska 2-1-1.”
“WHEREAS, Alaska Statute recognizes the first full week of October as Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week to celebrate and foster the integration of Alaskans with disabilities into our state’s workforce…
WHEREAS, Alaska is an Employment First State, and our State agencies prioritize competitive and assimilated employment for Alaskans. The State is committed to being a model employer by attracting qualified individuals with disabilities to contribute their knowledge and talents as public employees…
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 6 – 12, 2019 as: Alaska Employ People with Disabilities Week.”
“The Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (AKDVR), as part of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), is responsible for the administration and operation of Alaska’s public vocational rehabilitation program. While AKDVR continually assesses its performance and the needs of Alaskans with disabilities, the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, Public Law 99-506 Section 101(a), requires each state vocational rehabilitation agency conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment (CSNA) jointly with the Statewide Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (SVRC) triennially. The results of the CSNA are used to develop goals, priorities, strategies, and actions for both AKDVR’s Strategic and Combined State Plans.
In order to meet the requirements of 34 CFR §361.29, the CSNA must address the following:
“Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) are agencies or individuals that are approved to provide employment support to individuals with disabilities served by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.”
This page contains resources on how to apply to become a CRP.