Public and private funds unite to grant $1.5 million to the UAA School of Social Work

The UAA School of Social Work recently received a major funding boost in the form of a $1.5 million grant by public and private donors. The announcement of the funds was made on Giving Tuesday, which fell on Nov. 29 this year.

According to a written press release by Thompson & Co. Public Relations, the funds “will significantly increase enrollment capacity; establish a pathway to licensure for graduates; add faculty and staffing; and offer continuing education to maintain clinical licenses.”

With this new funding, the School of Social Work will have an increased capacity to invest in students who will go on to work in the field. 

Recover Alaska, an Anchorage-based nonprofit, helped to secure the grant by facilitating communications between the university and donors, including Premera Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alaska, Providence Alaska, and Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. Recover Alaska provided funds as well.

In the press release, these donors expressed the need for an expansion of social worker employment to achieve the long-term goal of elevating the entire Alaskan community. 

Other contributing donors were the Rasmuson Foundation, Southcentral Foundation, the Municipality of Anchorage, and the Alaska Department of Health.

According to the press release, UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell expressed gratitude for the grant, saying, “UAA is grateful to receive the necessary resources to expand enrollment capacity for the School of Social Work, and thankful to the community partners who worked to make this happen.” As with several donors, Parnell said that workforce demand is up for social work professionals.

In the press release, Recover Alaska’s Executive Director, Tiffany Hall, heralded the work of the nonprofit, attributing the fundraising success to “the incredible thought-partnership and creative vision of Recover’s Governance Council.” 

Hall said that training more Alaskans in the field of social work will allow for better outcomes in dealing with crises faced by Alaskans every day, such as alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide. She said Alaskans are uniquely qualified for dealing with Alaskan issues – compared to their counterparts from elsewhere – because of their understanding of the state’s distinctive cultural, economic, and environmental attributes.

The funds will be allocated over the next few years and are expected to contribute to many functions of the UAA School of Social Work. Populations in crisis will benefit from the grant and many are hopeful that these benefits will ripple across the community as a whole.