United Way of Anchorage (UWA), a community-focused non-profit entity, requests $1,640,000 to perform Navigator functions for the entire state of Alaska for the 12-month budget period of August 27, 2023, through August 26, 2024. There will not be any subrecipients.
UWA expects to serve the entire state of Alaska, which has a population of 733,391, providing targeted assistance to serve underserved or vulnerable populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, American Indians and Alaska Natives, English language learners, rural communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, Medicaid-eligible consumers who are not enrolled, low-income or homeless individuals, and pregnant women and new mothers. About 40% of Alaska's population lives in the Municipality of Anchorage. The remainder lives in rural communities, with over 160,000 off the state's limited road system.
According to the U.S. Census, 13.9% of Alaskans under age 65 are uninsured. 9.4% of Alaska children are uninsured, with many eligible for CHIP. Uninsured rates are higher among lower income individuals. 17.4% of Alaskans below 200% of FPL are uninsured. The designation of uninsured includes those without health insurance and those only covered under the Indian Health Service.
The racial breakdown of Alaska's population in 2020 was: 59.4% White alone, 15.2% American Indian and Alaska Native alone, 6% Asian alone, 3% Black or African American alone, 1.7% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone, two or more races 12.2%, some other race alone 2.5% Alaskans of Hispanic origin were 6.8%. The American Indian or Alaska Native population is a larger proportion of the population than in any other state. For American Indian and Alaska Native alone or in combination with another race that is 21.9% of Alaskans.
UWA will offer a balance of in-person and virtual Navigator assistance, as well as conduct outreach to uninsured individuals statewide, using its Alaska 211 call center as the way for Alaskans to get help with any of the Navigator functions as outlined in CFR 155.210 and 215. Navigators will be based in Anchorage and in rural regions around the state, including Fairbanks, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Kenai Peninsula. UWA will market statewide using social and digital media and radio and television outlets with the strongest statewide and local reach.
UWA will have thirteen full-time FFE Navigators (13 FTEs) paid 100% from Navigator grant funds to be federally trained and certified/re-certified by October 1, 2023 and throughout open enrollment and will have the same available to assist consumers post Open Enrollment to the end of the 2023-2024 budget year.