There aren’t many programs in higher education that are expanding after years’ of budget cuts to Alaska’s public universities system. Recover Alaska, a coalition, announced on Tuesday that it had raised $1.5 million to significantly increase enrollment for master’s students at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Recover Alaska works towards reducing excessive alcohol consumption and harm. Tiffany Hall, executive director of Recover Alaska, stated that the state’s worst in-the-nation status for alcohol-related deaths is due to a lack of skilled social workers.
Hall said that it can be difficult for someone with active addiction to admit their problem and seek help. We must be prepared for them when they admit to it. However, the state lacks qualified providers that can help people access help when they need it.
UAA’s School of Social Work currently has 35 students pursuing master’s degrees with clinical licensures. It also graduates approximately 25 students per year. In five years, the plan is to increase enrollment slowly to 85 students. The university intends to offer the program only online.
Southcentral Foundation, which is funding the grant and one of the largest employers of substance abuse and behavioral health providers in the state, is also one of the recipients. Michelle Baker, executive vice-president of behavioral health services at the Alaska Native-owned non-profit health care organization, stated that the lack of qualified social workers is a problem in the existing system.
Baker stated that 20 vacancies for master’s-level therapists are available at Southcentral Foundation, primarily because of four expansions we’ve launched over the past year.
Diane Kaplan, CEO of Rasmuson Foundation, stated that her institution and other contributors to funding are all possible employers. A master’s degree is a requirement for anyone interested in working in social work, which can be used in many settings such as philanthropy, crisis care, and preventative therapy.
Kaplan stated that employers-led initiatives such as this are attractive to students because they know there is a job after the education. And a variety of jobs, good jobs and well-paying positions in a competitive state for employees.
Although the grant money is for a single purpose, university officials stated that the master’s program will be self-sustaining financially through student tuition.
Other donors include Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska and Providence Alaska.
