New report outlines economic, health, and systemic challenges facing Alaska families 

Washington, D.C., March 24, 2026 — Alaska Children’s Trust (ACT), a state wide lead organization focused on prevention of child abuse and neglect, together with Convergence Center for Policy Resolution (Convergence), a leader in building collaboration across deep division, today released the Discovery & Design Report for the Convergence Collaborative on Thriving Kids for a Thriving Alaska.  

With Alaska ranking among the highest states in the nation for key child and family wellbeing challenges, the report highlights opportunities for cross-sector solutions to support families and communities.  The report compiles findings from interviews with more than 30 key leaders who represented multiple sectors, including health and social services, education, childcare, economic policy, the private sector, faith organizations, Alaska Native organizations, academia, philanthropy, and the executive and legislative branches of state government.  

The Discovery & Design Report identified key challenges and opportunities, including: 

• Access to essential supports for families and children 

• Economic and household pressures facing families 

• Revenue and fiscal strains hindering known solutions 

• Existing strengths, initiatives, and resources to build on 

Interviewees emphasized the essential role child and family wellbeing plays in our economy, public health, workforce development and the long-term prosperity of future generations. One shared that not so long ago, she and her family relied on nothing but the fish they caught and federal nutrition assistance. Another noted that, “In rural Alaska, say you’re a broke, abused wife with three small kids, you call 911. The trooper might show up three days later, or the village safety officer might be your husband’s best buddy.” This scenario leaves families with nowhere to turn for help. 

Alaska Children’s Trust is committed to ensuring children and families have access to the knowledge, skills, supports, and resources they need to thrive. We believe real change happens when the right people come together, and through our partnership with Convergence and the diverse leaders at the table, that’s exactly what we’re doing. Together, we are building the conditions for families to flourish and for every child across Alaska to reach their full potential,” said Trevor Storrs, President & CEO of Alaska Children’s Trust. 

Suzanne Ghais, Director of the Collaborative, pointed to the current division around supporting families. “The big divide in Alaska is not over what children need to thrive, but rather how to implement and pay for it. Alaska’s budget has relied almost exclusively on oil revenue, which has been declining since the ‘90s. There is a strong alignment on what a thriving future for families looks like. Building on that vision, the group will develop actionable solutions that help the economy or reduce downstream costs and ways to find the needed resources, thinking broadly and creatively.” 

“Families in the United States need more support to flourish, and this challenge is drawing growing attention at the national, state, and local levels,” noted Mariah Levison, CEO and President of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution. “Alaska is one of three states where Convergence is working to strengthen wellbeing for parents and children, all stemming from our national-level project, Convergence Collaborative on Supports for Working Families. There is real energy across partisan divides to shape a better future, and guided by Convergence’s time-tested methodology, we have a meaningful opportunity to improve the lives of parents, caregivers, and children in Alaska and across the country.”  

At the publication of this report, ACT and Convergence are convening a Collaborative of diverse leaders representing rural and urban communities, a range of political perspectives, and varied professional and lived experiences. Convergence has utilized the input from the Discovery process to inform the design of the scope and framing for the Collaborative, with an emphasis on shaping upstream, preventive consensus solutions from the group that will ultimately save costs.  

The following institutions provided generous philanthropic support to make this project possible: MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, Annie E Casey Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, Pritzker Children’s Initiative, Mat-Su Health Foundation, and Alaska Children’s Trust.  

We thank our funders for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in this report are those of the author(s) alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the foundations.   

About the Alaska Children’s Trust 

Alaska Children’s Trust (ACT) is the statewide lead organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. For over thirty years, we have invested resources across Alaska to ensure children live in safe, stable, and nurturing environments. For more information, visit www.alaskachildrenstrust.org 

About Convergence Center for Policy Resolution  

Convergence is the leading organization focused on bridging the divides to solve critical issues through collaborative problem-solving across ideological, political, and cultural lines. For nearly two decades, Convergence has brought together leaders, doers, and experts—many who never thought they could talk to one another—to build trusting relationships, identify breakthrough solutions, and form unlikely alliances for constructive change on seemingly intractable issues. Our process is improving the lives of Americans and strengthening democracy for a more resilient and cooperative future. For more information, visit convergencepolicy.org.