Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage | | Crisis Stabilization Centers in Anchorage | | |
Anchorage will soon have two crisis stabilization centers. Southcentral Foundation is building a new facility that will include 16 walk-in bed spots, 16 short-term adult residential beds, and 30 medical detox beds. They will offer 23-hour adult crisis stabilization, withdrawal management, outpatient care, medication-assisted treatment, and peer support for all members of the community. The 100,000 square foot project is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027.
Just around the corner, Providence Alaska will open a new mental health facility within the Providence Region Building on Piper Street. This facility will feature a 7-bed psychiatric emergency department, walk-in adult crisis stabilization, 24-hour observation, de-escalation, and short-term residential crisis care. The crisis stabilization center is scheduled to open before the end of the year. Read their presentation to the Municipality about the facility by clicking here.
| Southcentral Foundation's new crisis stabilization facility at Tudor and Elmore in Anchorage. The facility is called "Yeshjesh T'uh: A Safe Place for Healing and Hope." | Providence will open a crisis stabilization center inside the Providence Region Building at 3760 Piper Street in Anchorage. | |
History of Crisis Stabilization Legislation in Alaska
In 2020, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 120 to authorize crisis stabilization centers, which are a much-needed intermediate treatment option for those suffering from a mental health or substance abuse crisis. These centers are part of the Crisis Now model developed with leading behavioral health organizations and are a proven success in other states, including Arizona and Washington. Crisis stabilization centers are open 24/7, staffed by mental health professionals trained in de-escalation, and are designed to help stabilize and deescalate those experiencing behavioral health and substance abuse crises. Once the centers open, police officers will be able to take individuals experiencing such a crisis to these centers rather than to jail. The goal is to improve the effectiveness of mental health and substance abuse treatment and reduce the cost of holding these people in jail, where they do not receive any treatment.
In 2022, the Legislature passed House Bill 172 to formally establish and expand the Crisis Now program statewide. The legislation updated state statutes to permit involuntary holds and 72-hour psychiatric evaluations to take place in less restrictive, community-based settings rather than relying exclusively on acute institutional facilities like the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. Furthermore, House Bill 172 authorized funding and legal authority for the state to build out the full continuum of Crisis Now care, which includes 24/7 crisis hotlines, Mobile Crisis Teams, and 23-hour crisis stabilization centers.
Crisis Now intermediate treatment in Alaska is a positive step toward improving public safety and making wise use of our public safety resources. Moving forward, our hope is that the legislature, the governor, and the Municipality will continue to work together with public safety professionals, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, and members of the community so that Alaskans can be optimistic about having an effective criminal justice system.
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In Memoriam
Assembly Member Dick Traini
| | It was sad to learn of the recent passing of former Anchorage Assembly Member and Chair, Dick Traini. Dick was the longest-serving member of the Anchorage Assembly, representing Midtown for 19 years between 1991 and 2019. I was honored to work with Dick in my early years on the Assembly, and I will always admire his dedication to public service. This week, the Anchorage Assembly honored Dick Traini during a regular meeting, and I joined a large group of past and present members who came to pay our respects to his legacy. Read his obituary here. | |
“You can either be an active member of the community, or you can be a potted plant. Don’t be a potted plant.”
-Assembly Chair Dick Traini
| | Past and present Anchorage Assembly members join together to honor former Chair Dick Traini's life of service on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. | |
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→ Anchorage School District Community Values Survey
From now until September 29th, residents can take the Anchorage School District's Community Values Survey. The survey asks students, families, employees, and community members to tell the district what matters most, what the district needs to explain more effectively, and what would help strengthen trust. The survey takes about 8-10 minutes to complete. For more information, click here.
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RAM Free Clinic
When: Saturday, September 19th to Sunday, September 20th from 6:00 AM until providers reach capacity
Where: Anchorage Sullivan Arena (1600 Gambell St.)
Cost: Free
Remote Area Medical (RAM) Volunteer Corps offers free dental, vision, and medical services on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to time constraints, you may be asked to choose between dental and vision services. General medical services are available to all patients who attend. All services are free and open to the public. No ID or insurance required. Click here for more information.
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West Anchorage Spiketacular Tournament
When: Friday, September 25th to Saturday, September 26th, time TBD
Where: West High School (1700 Hillcrest Dr.)
Cost: Free
Watch the West High Varsity Lady Knights compete in this year's West Anchorage Spiketacular volleyball tournament!
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"Trunk-Or-Treat" Fundraiser
When: Saturday, September 26th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: The Arc of Anchorage Campus (2211 Arca Dr.)
Cost: $10 (Parents free)
Celebrate another fun Trunk-Or-Treat fundraising event with Anchorage neighbors this fall! Trunk-Or-Treat is an event open to the community that provides a safe, inclusive environment for children of all ages. The event features trunk-or-treat style candy and prize collecting, indoor and outdoor carnival games, food trucks, music, face painting, a photo booth, and more! Come out, have fun, and support your fellow Alaskans! For more information, click here.
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As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
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