[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6118209,"mediaKeyId","2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2","parentId",2724710,"title","Health & Social Services Commission hears grant applicants, approves agenda and finds applicants meet essential human services","audioSeconds",9855,"startMs",1149000,"endMs",11004000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2&start=1149&end=11004","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2/thumbnail_1149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118209/Alaska/Health-Social-Services-Commission-hears-grant-applicants-approves-agenda-and-finds-applicants-meet-essential-human-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118209-bef74ae35647a49deabd35bf82d73164/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516557&Signature=EWHuGNYnZmsW4Yx05SgM1aXxalINpXslxkOzDWbIT2CKNGKBRQVpn9E25z8Np7GCRS-UCni4lK2TJ7BZL3pV0LgYG8rwYRD9pKMFujZdlcZtABfEe7TOMITlktzPQwzZGBckjZClam7K2H4INHlEZFlGWnUIab3Z369z2Fohx-7iarEy4qEja~z47hJ6IYXnFCWLwe8y5fPtem038vo3xDueRa0qO6ZNpKov3bX0K35glDvLBMuBIZoQrh2dTRDKoTIUxdtAb2ItlKv6e2PdMYdm4xLSNHVqavztG3~hk5D7n70Z5iz-Da3DUxOhVdDzYzXtTbXT-xSU7L9RQHGDgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Fairbanks North Star Borough Health & Social Services Commission on March 15 heard presentations from more than a dozen nonprofit organizations seeking borough grant funds and took two procedural votes: approval of the meeting agenda and consent minutes, and a roll-call vote finding the grant applicants met the commission's definition of \"essential human services.\"

Commissioners approved the agenda and the consent agenda, including the meeting minutes listed as item E1, on a motion by Commissioner Marcia Ose and seconded by Commissioner Wagaman. The clerk recorded an 8-0 roll-call vote in favor.

Commission staff provided a report on the grant round timeline: the opioid remediation grant remains open through March 26 and the Match Assistance Grant Round 3 has an April 3 application deadline. Health and Social Services Administrator Mr. Menacher told commissioners that after the presentations he would compile the commissioners' scores, then circulate official score sheets to be signed and returned; staff asked commissioners to return signed score sheets by the following Monday so the office could begin drafting grant agreements.

Later in the meeting commissioners voted by roll call, 8-0, that the set of applicants under consideration met the commission's threshold for \"essential human services.\" The roll-call vote was a single, commission-level determination used to confirm the eligibility of applicants before scoring and ranking. Commissioner Alice Beggersworth recused herself from discussions involving the Fairbanks Community Food Bank because of a declared conflict of interest but remained in the room and did not participate in scoring on that item.

Presenters summarized program activities and local needs for the commission and answered questions from commissioners. Topics raised by multiple presenters included increasing demand for food and emergency services, workforce shortages, transportation barriers for clients, fentanyl in the illicit drug supply, volunteer recruitment challenges, and the need to scale caregiver and dementia supports. Several applicants described use of state or federal funding streams or partnerships; one presenter noted difficulties in getting SNAP/Temporary Assistance applications processed in a timely way by the Division of Public Assistance.

Commission staff closed by explaining next steps: scoring compilation, confirmation of final scores once signed, and staff-led follow-up to prepare grant agreements and notifications to applicants. Commissioners scheduled their next meeting for April 9, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve meeting agenda and consent agenda (including E1 meeting minutes): Mover: Marcia Ose; Second: Wagaman. Roll-call vote: 8 yes, 0 no — Approved.
- Commission determination that the applicants meet the definition of \"essential human services\": Roll-call vote 8 yes, 0 no — Approved.

Ending
Staff will compile and publish final ranked scores after receiving signed score sheets from each commissioner; commissioners asked to return signed sheets by Monday so award notifications and grant agreements can be prepared.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fairbanks North Star Borough Health and Social Services Commission Meeting - March 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fairbanks North Star Borough Health & Social Services Commission on March 15 heard presentations from more than a dozen nonprofit organizations seeking borough grant funds and took two procedural votes: approving the meeting agenda and finding the applicants qualify as essential human services.","taxTitle","Fairbanks North Star (Borough), Alaska","taxId",5063,"location","Alaska","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6118192,"Interior Aids Association: methadone clinic reports fentanyl is now predominant in local drug supply, continues contingency-based treatment",71,5606000,5677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2&start=5606&end=5677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2/thumbnail_5606000.jpg","/articles/6118192/Alaska/Interior-Aids-Association-methadone-clinic-reports-fentanyl-is-now-predominant-in-local-drug-supply-continues-contingency-based-treatment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118192-868a336273e893bf4ccb87fcfe388542/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516557&Signature=P~FhTbVkENcQsJOEmbnFPJsQ7pbRcOl9Vs0kKCZ-wbjy8KsXkAnMTbo9IZJUf7fOTp3zPElkvHSihxC1KInUX04-PMwgIOwS63-yjwRgpZzflhZxSGNdNwd8bu8IE0FSW55VNA8J363FY4XG0~wiY3o9D077zJEpzQoik78mw9yzXsWYVK3b2nqkrf8TjfkqsD-CpKKgdAQI2Rs0Y-tLtcbKAKgjfZU1yW225R3bRw9H2qveTVSoTJ9cBsoYMQ7v1u3tO57E0EjMxSBTR4~lh94JN6RAIBKjbMQao~WBRk0CE02NP9EPHayjc5QRNV9r99gxNliYSUPLXq032KncMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lindsay Grennan of the Interior Aids Association told the Health & Social Services Commission March 15 that the association's Interior Medication Assisted Treatment program is the only Fairbanks clinic in the borough offering methadone, and that staff have seen fentanyl become the predominant drug in the community's illicit supply. \"Since 2024, all of the clients that have applied for our program have tested positive for fentanyl,\" Grennan said.

Grennan described the program's services beyond medication: counseling, case management and peer-support services. The program uses contingency management to reward patients with clean urine samples via a token system that can be exchanged for small prizes or saved for larger rewards; staff also provide transportation assistance and distribute opioid reversal medication (naloxone). Grennan noted the program is CARF accredited and subject to DEA inspections.

Commissioners asked about overdose trends and distribution of reversal medication. Grennan and other commissioners noted recent availability of faster-acting opioid reversal agents and state-level distribution but explained short supply and logistical issues can create temporary pauses in distribution. The presenter said her program would like to refill a peer-support position if funding allows.

Ending
The Interior Aids Association will be notified about grant decisions after staff finalize and certify commissioners' scores and prepare grant agreements.","Interior Aids Association told the commission its methadone-based treatment remains the only local option offering methadone and that, since 2024, all applicants to the program have tested positive for fentanyl, underscoring the need for medication-assisted treatment and naloxone distribution.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6118197,"Alaska Legal Services tells commission it helped secure roughly $24,020 monthly in benefits for Fairbanks clients",294,1306000,1600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2&start=1306&end=1600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2/thumbnail_1306000.jpg","/articles/6118197/Alaska/Alaska-Legal-Services-tells-commission-it-helped-secure-roughly-24020-monthly-in-benefits-for-Fairbanks-clients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118197-dfbecfe4d1da3d0d20b913d52afee011/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516557&Signature=ST1rbZ~d69FmHGj1WtNkQ6L8d20uPXooNbt6n3P~0o2xsaJbGxtm2Eb7sDGNz3yUtgROVv-dDJIQet6Mgws4uvc69CJQVi424-ZuZLj9ENbt6t2QYeyr-ElOi-E9SgIAvMR8-r8dQrpcD6zUy~XT-HscgRlbCD39tbqrreK8f65N-2Il-dkyDhAhc113OTOj5uw2WE2KdiJuM781fCqYM27O5x0nL6UcBv~QMmQGRL0MweEL307rvN-It1khHQ85LEqvMvz-l-QYOEwgU9b~5zjgN4yTaqIhMlo~LCO-AWajNzQt1nXFyKg8hyWx74-dd~kwlo4C25eo24fKwUYlsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rachel Delahanty, an attorney with Alaska Legal Services based in Fairbanks, described the nonprofit's civil legal assistance to low-income Alaskans at the Health & Social Services Commission meeting March 15. Delahanty said the office helps residents with eviction defense, custody matters, wills and probate, and appeals of Division of Public Assistance (DPA) decisions — work that is especially active following reductions in pandemic-era supports.

Delahanty described two client stories she and colleagues pursued through appeals and fair hearings for SNAP and temporary assistance; she said some recertifications and new applications have experienced lengthy delays at DPA and that Alaska Legal Services files fair hearing requests to restore benefits. \"Without Alaska Legal Services, these people would have nowhere to turn,\" Delahanty said, adding that in 2024 the office's lawyers resolved matters that resulted in $24,019.96 per month into the Fairbanks community.

Commissioners questioned Delahanty about volunteer and pro bono capacity. She explained local recruitment is limited by conflicts of interest in a small legal community and by attorney workloads; Alaska Legal Services relies on supervised non-attorney staff and contract native-law attorneys to handle specific case types such as child-in-need-of-aid tribal representation. Delahanty said non-lawyer staff (paralegals, community justice workers) are supervised by attorneys and covered under malpractice insurance.

Ending
Alaska Legal Services will be notified of any grant award following final score confirmation and staff drafting of grant agreements.","Alaska Legal Services presented client examples and program delivery to the commission, including efforts to help residents with SNAP and temporary assistance delays; the presenter said lawyers resolved a 2024 caseload that produced $24,019.96 per month into the Fairbanks community.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6118200,"North Star Council on Aging reports steady Meals on Wheels volume and a wait list; federal funding uncertainty remains a concern",238,6431000,6669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2&start=6431&end=6669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2/thumbnail_6431000.jpg","/articles/6118200/Alaska/North-Star-Council-on-Aging-reports-steady-Meals-on-Wheels-volume-and-a-wait-list-federal-funding-uncertainty-remains-a-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118200-2fa24b1f62a385a0bdbf7b3fc4b6585e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516557&Signature=UHeVOiBKabQEjtNBfd~p1mM4XrBfrnwlwoZmr1s0oZUTpWxXGgbsXyDYnEEeHS2IWxNgHXu4HKoHZ70lECrEfkandhzKrAtCUKloLLIbMUWQNCA0gQqa3xJAwhI1Nd3364Fy4XrnBG9FiJaE0nKpF7Mpnujcqc~X7j64sQWrK5bgZe2PThS48xBYWl3Qci-AmanBUfnB3m6Qz4HE9gdLWjtkU1KQEwj2bCrpyI2a0j8FhPuztBfTbkjkgkLnPDUN284xrjeN14C7MyilXxrKAtzwnFvuyvcDHw9MTSWiwjV4AJ2t-ADgvqg6ioU3gUmVSzZmNEuuCdCOXBcL4OA72Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Darlene Suplee of the North Star Council on Aging told the Health & Social Services Commission on March 15 that Meals on Wheels remains a high-demand service in the borough, delivering about 350 meals per day and projected to provide roughly 54,000 meals in fiscal year 2025. She said last year the program provided 59,748 meals and served 454 individuals.

Suplee described survey results showing high client satisfaction: 100% of respondents rated meals as acceptable or excellent and 99% said the service supports aging in place. She said average per-meal costs range from about $3.50 to $5 depending on protein, and that a portion of the program relies on partner donations and in-kind support.

Commissioners asked about the program's wait list and the impact of potential federal funding cuts. Suplee said priorities for moving people off the wait list are based on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) needs and other risk factors; she said community donations had allowed the council to remove roughly 25 people from a prior wait list in November. She noted that federal-level changes to Older Americans Act funding could have a substantial statewide impact and urged continued local advocacy.

Suplee also said the council recently expanded facility capacity and received an emergency generator to ensure continuity of food preparation during a disaster. The council is using grant support to hire a full-time home assessor to evaluate wait-listed clients' home-care needs, with the goal of better documenting needs and seeking additional funding.

Ending
The council will continue operating its Meals on Wheels routes and will work with borough staff on grant award details if funding is approved through the borough grant process.","North Star Council on Aging told commissioners it served approximately 54,000 meals in the current fiscal year and maintains a wait list; the program described supply and funding pressures and said federal Older Americans Act funding uncertainty could affect services.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6118205,"Fairbanks Community Food Bank warns of tight supplies, preparing biodigester and broader community partnerships",239,4101000,4340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2&start=4101&end=4340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2724710-8acccfc91b6de1b21a88b14dcad0ebc2/thumbnail_4101000.jpg","/articles/6118205/Alaska/Fairbanks-Community-Food-Bank-warns-of-tight-supplies-preparing-biodigester-and-broader-community-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118205-24fcad420cef649bfb61379fa18a075f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516557&Signature=hRro87fywMlu7ii4fCiFxwAg2r9j-39tnlQn-TiacYuNsnQIkv4ud4YSH23lzoRGfwPUtJiQD-Ueg0LROgz4~7S8vUlnFX1tuGF0oJgC27NiIhszHpztPzQ9mt~LjUuLyG9Emdz2a5ilEnOf8m0ZXDxU2OpMhsEMt8qHkj-zQ-xOilfL~oMc5RSwI-Ah7ekEB69zvO7X-JpyUK4mr2Y9-6bp8BztAA2EEPcJY4YTLCsmsUojkx5gYSfMRAnQ0z8Y0m6ZWYxi3mhgcZIvQ-lnQydUGoYu3eTuoweTQHrcwmgKjnLm7Fbl0P4t2fTBoNWW3~qdiP3uKCWGqqgw5dqr9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Fairbanks North Star Borough Health & Social Services Commission meeting March 15, representatives of the Fairbanks Community Food Bank described a sustained increase in demand and a concurrent decline in donated retail food supply, and outlined plans to boost local food production and sharing.

Ann Weaver, representing Fairbanks Community Food Bank, told commissioners the food bank provided more than 900,000 pounds of food to local agencies last year and operates programs such as Food Is Medicine that served as many as 160 people per day. \"This food bank was founded in a recession. Our job is to collect local surplus food and give it out to people in need, and we're gonna continue doing that as long as we can,\" Weaver said.

Weaver and Samantha Keirstein described short-term pressures: retail shelves with lower inventory reduce what grocery stores can donate, and a trend among some stores to divert edible surplus to large composting or regenerative-agriculture partners before local distribution has tightened supplies available to the food bank. To diversify local food sources and support growers, the food bank is installing a biodigester; staff said the unit is scheduled to arrive in early April. The biodigester's output will be shared with local growers and community gardeners rather than sold.

Weaver also told commissioners that borough grant funding — the $30,000 application in this cycle — is critical because it leverages additional community and corporate donations; she noted the food bank receives only limited state and federal support (CSFP and TFAP are food-only federal programs). Commissioners asked whether Alaska law or national practice prevents donation; staff said no statewide ban exists but national trends and store-level policies influence how food is routed.

Discussion also touched on volunteer recruitment, relationships with school districts and other referral partners, and plans to continue outreach and grow shared garden production. The food bank asked commissioners to consider how borough funds and local philanthropy can be used to sustain food distribution during supply shortfalls.

Ending
The food bank will receive formal notice of any borough award after staff finalize scoring and prepare grant agreements; staff requested signed score sheets from commissioners by the following Monday so grant agreements can be drafted.","Fairbanks Community Food Bank told the Health & Social Services Commission it supplied more than 900,000 pounds to local agencies last year, is seeing a recent drop in incoming donated food, and expects a biodigester to arrive in April to support local composting and grower partnerships.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Health & Social Services Commission hears grant applicants, approves agenda and finds applicants meet essential human services

Interior Aids Association: methadone clinic reports fentanyl is now predominant in local drug supply, continues contingency-based treatment

Alaska Legal Services tells commission it helped secure roughly $24,020 monthly in benefits for Fairbanks clients

North Star Council on Aging reports steady Meals on Wheels volume and a wait list; federal funding uncertainty remains a concern

Fairbanks Community Food Bank warns of tight supplies, preparing biodigester and broader community partnerships