The Delta Center for a Thriving Safety Net is a national initiative launched in May of 2018 that brings together primary care associations (PCAs) and behavioral health state associations (BHSAs) to advance policy and practice change. The ultimate goal of the Delta Center is to cultivate health policy and a care system that is more equitable and better meets the needs of individuals and families. The Delta Center is led by JSI, in collaboration with strategic partners including the ACT Center at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, the National Association for Community Health Centers, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. The Delta Center is funded by support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

A participant in the Delta Center’s second State Learning and Action Collaborative cohort, the Alaska Behavioral Health Association (ABHA) led efforts to remove service authorization barriers and partnered with state health officials to advance policy changes that make behavioral health care more accessible. In 2024, as a result of these efforts, the Alaska State Legislature passed a mental health parity resolution that urges the state to meet federal parity requirements, making behavioral health care as accessible as medical care. 

Of the resolution, John Solomon says, “It’s a tool to say—does this regulation help or hurt access to care? And we want to make sure that we’re doing things that are fair and equitable and making sure that people…I was able to get care when I needed help….everybody should be able to do that whether you live in remote Alaska, or in Anchorage, or in the lower 48.” 

Our new video series highlights ABHA’s journey to reshape the behavioral health landscape in Alaska. In part one, learn about the impact of administrative burdens like service authorizations on patient care. In part two, learn about the progress that ABHA is making to improve care for Alaskans.