Alaska Peer Assistance Network
The Indian General Environmental Assistance Program's (IGAP) Peer Assistance Network provides funding to Tribes and Tribal consortia for financial and/or grants management training and assistance for Tribal staff with IGAP programs across Alaska. There are approximately 229 federally recognized Tribes in Alaska, of which approximately 189 receive EPA IGAP grants.
Frequently asked questions about the program
1. What is the Peer Assistance Network?
The Alaska Peer Assistance Network is an arrangement between Tribes/Tribal Consortia and EPA Region 10 Alaska’s GAP program whereby Tribal staff (as Peer Assistance Providers), receive GAP grants to offer peer-based administrative and fiscal support to other Tribes who either receive GAP grants or those who wish to develop the capacity to successfully administer GAP grants. Peer Assistance Providers are funded through EPA’s Indian General Assistance Program (GAP).
2. Why is this important to me?
If your Tribe has a GAP grant or wishes to receive one, and your staff (Environmental Coordinator/Assistant, Bookkeeper, Tribal Administrator, and/or Council Members) need assistance related to the proper management of your GAP grant, this network may be able to improve knowledge and skills through workshops, one-on-one training, and/or resource manuals and/or other documents.
If your Tribe or Consortia wishes to offer peer assistance services through an EPA cooperative agreement (grant) details on how to apply are included in EPA Region 10’s GAP Funding Announcement.
3. How and why did this initiative begin?
Alaska Tribes repeatedly identified fiscal and administrative training as a critical need during meetings and grants management trainings since 2004. They expressed a desire to improve understanding of EPA’s reporting and accounting requirements, as well as information on establishing internal systems to ensure continuity of GAP funding and competitiveness for a variety of other programs.
As a result, EPA Region 10 allocated some of its Special Project GAP funding in FY2006 towards developing fiscal and administrative training for Tribes in Alaska through Peer Assistance Agreements (formerly known as Circuit Rider). Since then this allocation of Region 10’s GAP funds towards these efforts has continued.
4. What type of peer assistance is provided?
A wide array of services may be offered depending on the provider and the needs of Tribes. Topics covered may include developing Tribal Council policies and procedures/Board development, setting up office systems, grant writing/proposal development, grant and financial management, and conducting needs assessments.
Generally assistance may be broken down into three categories: individual support, group training, and reference materials.
- Individual Support
Peer assistance providers offer one-on-one meetings, teleconferences, email, and visits to villages or hub communities.
- Group Training
Peer assistance providers also host group trainings and/or workshops held in Alaska’s cities, hub communities or villages.
- Reference Materials
Several peer assistance providers have created manuals and other helpful documents that offer information on a variety of topics. EPA Region 10’s Alaska Operations Office in Anchorage has compiled these and other resources available. These reference materials may be obtained directly from your provider, or if you do not have a provider, you may contact your EPA Project Officer.
5. How much does it cost?
If your Tribe wishes to receive services, the Tribe must submit a Tribal Council resolution to the peer assistance provider’s Tribe or Consortia when they apply for their EPA Cooperative Agreement (grant).
If you wish to receive assistance and your Tribe did not submit a Tribal Council resolution to a provider, you may still receive assistance, but your Tribe may need to cover any associated travel costs. Your Tribe’s GAP grant may be able to cover these costs, but this option must be discussed with your EPA Tribal Coordinator/Project Officer in advance.
6. Who are the Peer Assistance Providers and how does my Tribe request services?
Please see the chart of peer assistance providers statewide. Each peer assistance provider has their own method to receive requests for services. It varies from needing a formal letter to a simple phone call or email.
If your region does not have a peer assistance provider your Tribe may submit a resolution to a provider from another region. Some peer assistance providers have expressed a desire to assist Tribes in other regions.
7. Who can I call with other general questions about the Peer Assistance Network?
You can call your EPA Tribal Coordinator/Project Officer for your region. You may also contact Mahri Lowinger, EPA Tribal Coordinator/Project Officer for all Peer Assistance Cooperative Agreements. Mahri can be reached at (907) 271-6334 or 1-800-781-0983 or by email at lowinger.mahri@epa.gov
EPA Region 10 – Alaska
Peer Assistance Providers
| Region of Alaska Served & Peer Assistance Provider | Contact | Phone/Fax/Email |
Aleutian/Pribilof Region
Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association (APIA) | Roxana Kashatok | 907-222-4216
roxanak@apiai.org |
Yukon/Kuskokwim
Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) | Steve Street or Don Wedll | 907-543-7355
907-543-7363
907-543-5732 fax
sstreet@avcp.org
dwedll@avcp.org |
Southeast
Central Council Tlingit Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (CCTHITA) | Leilani Knight McQueen | 1-800-344-1432 ext. 7713
907-463-7713
907-463-7761 fax
lknight@ccthita.org |
Cook Inlet
Knik Tribal Council | Klaudia Jo Klaudi | 907-373-7929
907-373-2161 fax
kklaudi@kniktribe.org |
Lower Cook Inlet, Prince William Sound, and Illiamna Villages
Port Graham Village Council | Violet Yeaton | 907-284-2227
Vyeaton@yahoo.com |
Yukon River Tribes
And Statewide Trainings
Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council (YRITWC) | Mike Grundberg | 907-258-3337
907-258-3339 fax
mgrundberg@yritwc.com |
EPA Region 10 – Alaska
GAP Grants Assistance Resources
| Region of Alaska Served | Contact | Phone/Fax/Email | Method to Request Assistance |
Bristol Bay
Bristol Bay Native Association (BBNA) | Susan Flensburg | 907-842-5257
sflensburg@bbna.com | Phone calls and email. |
Interior
Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) | Office of Environmental Health | 1-800-478-7822
Or
907-452-8251, ext. 3434 | Phone calls, letters and/or emails. |