Healing pathways for strong communities (hpsc) is a statewide prevention initiative led by the alaska native tribal health consortium (anthc) to reduce opioid misuse and strengthen behavioral health…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $2,089,272 to Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) on September 30, 2026, under the Opioid STR program (CFDA 93.788) to operate Healing Pathways for Strong Communities, a statewide prevention initiative targeting opioid misuse and behavioral health in Alaska Native communities.

ANTHC delivers prevention education, behavioral health workforce training, and family-centered supports across urban, rural, and remote Alaska regions. The program provides naloxone access expansion, culturally responsive educational materials developed through elder and community collaboration, land-based and cultural activities, community outreach, and a statewide behavioral health resource directory. Annual measurable objectives include delivering 30 training courses, engaging 500 workforce participants, and reaching 170 individuals through outreach, education, and family and cultural programming. Over five years, the project targets 3,350 individuals under the prevention services category, serving youth, adults, elders, and families with emphasis on those at risk for or experiencing substance misuse, opioid use disorder, trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Place of performance is Anchorage, Alaska. Period of performance runs from September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2031. The program goals include increasing behavioral health workforce capacity, improving access to prevention and recovery supports, strengthening family systems, expanding cultural engagement, and reducing opioid misuse and related harms across Alaska Native communities.

Healing pathways for strong communities (hpsc) is a statewide prevention initiative led by the alaska native tribal health consortium (anthc) to reduce opioid misuse and strengthen behavioral health through culturally responsive, community-driven strategies. This project expands access to prevention education, workforce training, and family-centered supports, with a focus on alaska native communities across urban, rural, and remote regions. Hpsc serves communities across alaska, reaching 670 unduplicated individuals annually and 3,350 individuals over five years under the prevention services category. This program supports individuals across the lifespan, including youth, adults, elders, and families, with an emphasis on youth and family systems. Participants include individuals at risk for or experiencing substance misuse, opioid use disorder (OUD), trauma, adverse childhood experiences (aces), and CO-occurring mental health conditions, as well as families and caregivers seeking prevention and support resources. Key strategies include behavioral health workforce training, culturally responsive educational material development, community outreach, family engagement programming, as well as land-based and cultural activities. This program also expands naloxone access, reduces stigma, and supports the development of a statewide behavioral health resource directory. All hpsc activities integrate alaska native knowledge and values through collaboration with elders and community partners. Project goals are to increase workforce capacity, improve access to prevention and recovery supports, strengthen family systems, expand cultural engagement, and reduce opioid misuse and related harms. Measurable objectives include delivering 30 training courses annually, reaching 500 workforce participants, and engaging 170 individuals annually through outreach, education, and participation in family and cultural programming. Healing pathways for strong communities (hpsc) aligns with samhsa's strategic priorities by advancing prevention, improving access to culturally responsive care, strengthening protective factors, and addressing behavioral health disparities in alaska native communities.