Health Planning and Systems Development

Alaska Primary Care Programs

Mission

Address health care access and workforce disparities that exist in Alaska through the expansion of new access points and the support of existing health centers.

Overview

The Primary Care Office funding is used to:

  • enhance and support the current and emerging community health centers to focus on the primary health care delivery system in frontier communities;
  • support and strengthen the health care provider system; and
  • bring much needed resources to other frontier communities with small populations and high needs, and without access to basic health care at a local level.

Program Expectations/Goals

The Primary Care Office’s goals include:

  • Organizational Effectiveness/Fostering Collaboration;
  • Technical Assistance to Organizations/Communities Wishing to Expand Access to Primary Care for Underserved Populations;
  • Needs Assessment/Data Sharing;
  • Support Workforce Development for the National Health Service Corps, Safety Net, And Community Health Centers; and
  • Designation applications for Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Areas (MUA).

Objectives

  • Assessment of Needs: Publish/ Update an Unmet Needs Report — see Alaska Health Care Data Book
  • Workforce Development: Collaborate with partners to identify and use opportunities for expanded training, recruitment and retention of health care providers for Alaska.
  • Manage Alaska State Loan Repayment Program
  • Health Center Growth Initiative: Provide technical assistance and support to community Primary Care programs that apply for Community Health Center (CHC 330) funding
  • HPSA/MUA designation: Continued identification and assessment of underserved populations and areas of Alaska where individuals lack access to health care
  • Community Development: Assist communities, organizations and providers by providing technical assistance focused on developing solutions that increase access to health care. Provide information and technical assistance to communities that are intending to apply for federal community health center funding (CHC 330).

Contact

Mark Millard, Health Program Manager
Mark.Millard@alaska.gov
(907) 465-8534
Main Office Number: (907) 465-3091
Fax: (907) 465-6861