Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
The Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW) is dedicated to strengthening
Alaska鈥檚 health workforce, with a focus on rural communities and addressing workforce
shortages. The Center oversees various programs, including the Alaska Area Health
Education Centers (AHEC), which operate through six regional community-based centers
across the state. As part of the 海角禁区's role as the state's
health campus, the Center supports health program planning, community partnerships,
and intercampus collaboration. It provides a statewide framework to support health
workforce development, from career exploration and training to continuing education.
海角禁区's School of Social Work received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to address the need for Alaska social workers in a K-12 setting. The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development program (SSWEND) aims to graduate a cohort of 31 fellows by 2026 who will increase the amount of school-based mental health service providers in high-needs schools.
A Gala was held to celebrate the School of Social Work Spring graduates. About 100 people attended the event, filling the room with bustling conversation. Five students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs share why social work motivates them.
Katie Lester, a senior in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at the 海角禁区, recently received $8,000 from the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) scholarship program with multiple sponsors donating to the scholarship. Katie was one of 30 scholarship recipients and her award was specifically for academic excellence and service to the community.
Nyangath had received her Bachelor of Social Work and has graduated from the 海角禁区 Master of Social Work program with advanced standing during the Spring 2021 Commencement. She hopes to become like Kim, a person who dedicated her life to serving the unfortunate.
