Three telemedicine programs in Alaska are receiving $900 thousand in new funding from the US Department of Agriculture. Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the awards Thursday morning.
The Tanana Chiefs Conference will receive $375 thousand dollars to expand their telemedicine programs in 24 rural villages.
Hope Community Resources will purchase video conferencing equipment with their $280 thousand grant. The organization provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges around the state.
$287 thousand will go to the Arctic Slope Native Association to buy a remote dispensing system for medications. Currently, people in their remote communities can only get their prescriptions by mail.
USDA is also giving the Copper River School District nearly half a million dollars to provide distance learning programs for five elementary schools in very rural villages. Three sites are on Alaska Native trust lands.