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Frequently Asked Questions

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About The Trust

What is The Trust and what does it do?

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is a state corporation with more than $400 million in cash assets and one million acres of land, all of which are managed on behalf of Trust beneficiaries. The Trust was established as a perpetual trust and operates much like a private foundation, using its resources to ensure that Alaska has a comprehensive integrated mental health program to serve Trust beneficiaries.

Our goal is to serve as a catalyst for change and improvement in Alaska's behavioral health continuum of care. To accomplish this, The Trust funds system change, capacity building demonstration projects, partnerships, rural technical assistance, and Trust-initiated projects that will improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. Read more.

What is the mission of The Trust?

The Trust vision and mission, as defined in the Alaska Statutes, is as follows:

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority administers the Mental Health Trust established in perpetuity. It has a fiduciary responsibility to its beneficiaries to enhance and protect The Trust and to provide leadership in advocacy, planning, implementing and funding of a Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program to improve the lives and circumstances of its beneficiaries.

When and why was The Trust established?

Prior to statehood, there were few mental health services available in the territory of Alaska for individuals who experienced mental illness or developmental disabilities. At the time, mental illness was considered a crime. Those were sent by the federal government to live in an institution in Portland, Oregon, sometimes for the remainder of their lives.

The case was ruled on in 1984, by the state Supreme Court, which ordered that the original trust be restored. In 1994, a final settlement reconstructed The Trust with 500,000 acres of original Trust land, 500,000 acres of replacement land and $200 million in cash. The Trust settlement also established an independent Board of Trustees appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature. Read more about the history of The Trust.

Who manages The Trust?

The Trust operates under the leadership of a Board of Trustees and in partnership with the Trust Land Office, which manages the land and other non-cash assets and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, which manages the cash assets.

The Trust staff works under the direction of the Board of Trustees in carrying out the day-to-day business of The Trust.

Who are The Trust's partners?

The Trust works closely with a variety of state departments, local and tribal governments, non-profit and for profit entities, including four governor-appointed advisory boards. In addition to financial partnerships, The Trust and its partners serve on boards and committees to identify, expand and add value to mutual goals. View Trust partners.

Trust Beneficiaries

Who is a Trust beneficiary?

Trust beneficiaries include:

People with mental illness
People with developmental disabilities
People with chronic alcoholism
People with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
People with traumatic head injury resulting in permanent brain injury

View our questionnaire to determine who qualifies as a Trust beneficiary.

How can I receive assistance if I am a Trust beneficiary?

The Trust works on behalf of all beneficiaries, but does not provide individual services; please click here for a list of references that do. If you are interested in applying for a grant, read more about Trust grant opportunities.

How many Alaskans are Trust beneficiaries?

The following numbers are estimated based on information from Alaska data and national prevalence data and taken from "Moving Forward," The Trust's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan for 2006-2011.

Mental Illness: 8.46 percent of Alaskans age 18 and older have a diagnosed mental illness, most occurring between the ages of 18-25.
Developmental Disabilities: Approximately 11,500 Alaskans have developmental disabilities. Autism is the most common of the Pervasive developmental disorders. From 1993 to 2004, autism cases in ages 6-22 increased 522 percent nationwide and 685 percent in Alaska.
Chronic Alcoholism: Rates of binge drinking in Alaska have been consistently higher than in the United States as a whole. The highest prevalence of binge drinking at 41.2 percent was among young adults ages 18-25 in 2004.
Alzheimer's disease and Related Dementia: An estimated one in 10 Americans over the age of 65 and nearly half of those 85 or older experience Alzheimer's disease.

Funding and Grants

Where does The Trust get its funds?

Similar to the way private foundations distribute funds, The Trust spends a percentage of its principal each year to improve the lives and circumstances of Trust beneficiaries. This percentage, referred to as the "payout," is established by the Board of Trustees, and is currently 4.25 percent of the Trust fund principal. The payout is combined with income from the Trust Land Office, interest income from The Trust's cash investments, and any lapsed or unspent funds from the previous fiscal year to establish the amount available each year for Trustees to spend. This funding system ensures that The Trust has a predictable and relatively constant cash flow from year to year. Read more.

Can I receive funding from The Trust?

The Trust offers funding through the allocation of grants. Grants are awarded to grantees who represent one or more Trust beneficiary group and whose priorities are consistent with the Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program. Individuals, by regulation, are not eligible to apply for grants.

What types of grants are available?

The Trust offers the following grants:

Programs and Services

What is the Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program?

The Trust provides leadership in developing the state's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program for Trust beneficiary groups. The Trust and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services jointly convene other state agencies, beneficiary advisory groups and key stakeholders to develop and revise a Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan. The plan is a tool that focuses the funds and programs of the state, The Trust and its partners in a way that is organized, effective and measurable. It provides policy direction for programs and services that comprise the Program. To ensure the plan is best suited to the needs of The Trust's beneficiary groups, it is reviewed and updated in five-year increments. Read "Moving Forward," The Trust's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Plan for 2006-2011.

What kinds of programs does The Trust fund?

The Trust administers some programs and projects outside of the regular state budget process that are Trustee initiated and approved and overseen by Trust staff. The programs must benefit one or more beneficiary group, be consistent with The Trust mission and guiding principles.

As part of its comprehensive program, The Trust has established five focus areas that address issues with significant impact on Trust beneficiaries. The objective is to concentrate The Trust's funds, projects and other resources on several key issues that will substantially improve services and delivery systems for Trust beneficiaries across Alaska. Read more.

Does The Trust provide services to individuals?

The Trust works on behalf of all beneficiaries, but does not provide individual services; please click here for a list of references that do.

Focus Areas

What are the focus areas?

The Trust has established five focus areas that are in alignment with the Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program and address issues with significant impact on Trust beneficiaries. The objective of focus areas is to concentrate The Trust's funds, projects and other resources on several key issues in an effort to substantially improve services and delivery systems for Trust beneficiaries across Alaska.

Meetings

What types of meetings does The Trust hold?

The Trust manages much of its business through the Board of Trustees, Committees, Focus Areas and Partner Board meetings. The meetings are held at various times throughout the year and help focus The Trust's efforts to increase service delivery systems and ultimately improve the lives of Trust beneficiaries.

How do I login to WebEx or call in via teleconference for a meeting?

For WebEx and/or teleconference codes go to "meetings" and select the desired type of meeting. Under "meeting dates" click "details" for the specific meeting codes. Click here for general instructions on how to login to WebEx.

Who do I Contact

Trust land issues?

Questions or issues regarding Trust land or resources can be directed to the Trust Land Office at 907-269-8658.

Employment?

Information about employment will be posted as positions become available under employment opportunities.

General Information?

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