Medicaid eligibility renewals returned to the regular annual review process April 1. This impacts community members who qualified for Medicaid while federal provisions were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. To limit gaps in health coverage, being prepared can give your family time to consider your options and take action. Medicaid renewal preparedness starts with making sure your contact information is current and by opening and responding to all mail from the Alaska Division of Public Assistance.

“Come home and give those kids a life.” These were the words from Family Wellness Warriors Director Bobbi Outten’s father that saved her. Outten had been married for 11 years when she left her husband for the seventh and final time. She ran with just a few personal belongings, her three young children, and one on the way. Outten shared she felt desperate and credits her parents, pastor, and a caring network of people for supporting her to find the strength to leave a home laced with addiction, chaos, control, and violence. Because she found a safe community, Outten never turned back.

Southcentral Foundation Executive Vice President Melissa Merrick accepted the Social Worker of the Year award at the biennial conference of the National Association of Social Workers Alaska Chapter on Sept. 22.

As Alaskans, we expect the snow to fall, sun to shine, and fish to run each year. Just as we expect these annual events, we can also anticipate the seasonal flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus. Fortunately, there are steps you can take during months with higher rates of respiratory illness to keep yourself, your family, and your community protected.