Let’s work to get others to work

Would you be more in favor of supporting government services if you were part of oversight to ensure the outcomes had real and sustainable results? I believe a process of coordinating and collaborating with measurable outcomes could address many issues we face as Alaskans. I believe we want all Alaskans to be safe, healthy and thriving.

In addition, I believe more people would support funding for services if they had direct oversight into prioritizing the issues and making sure those prioritized issues have measurable outcomes to resolve a specific problem. What issue would you be willing to be involved in and resolve?

Some may believe any spending on issues of homelessness, substance misuse or mental health issues is a waste of time and money. I would hope those people would be the first to step up to provide that oversight. Now, I am not talking about responding via online written testimony or comments, but actually participating on a board. Hence, it would mean to be willing to set aside any present habits of thought, views and prejudice, with the targeted outcome always the ultimate goal.

I would hope these oversight boards would be composed of very different and diverse perspectives. I believe those boards need to be composed of small-business owners, conservative and liberal members of the community, professional providers, former homeless people, those in recovery, the faith-based community and youth.

In turn, those board members could gain more input from their circle of influence to add to board conversations. However, the identified outcomes would always be the target. And it would be imperative to isolate and protect those outcomes from any political or personal interference.

Each board member would have equal standing and all input would be accepted and respected. The board chair would facilitate meetings to ensure each board member had an opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. This would be especially true with youth. Even though they may not have as much life experience as adults, they very well may have fresh, innovative ideas and solutions. All Alaskans’ voices have value, no matter age, gender, ethnic or social economic backgrounds.

Next, after the board set forth strategies and objectives to meet the outcomes, it would invite collaborating partners to come together to provide and offer their particular, unique service. Hence, this would create a system and continuum of services for individuals to move through and out of their situation.

The next steps are where the rubber hits the road. These are the steps on the ladder to get real-life skills to reach the top goal of productive employment.

Also, this would allow individuals to step into the continuum from wherever they have been. In short, meet them where they are and move forward. Some will need more support and may take longer than others. We have to remember not to “shoot our wounded,” metaphorically speaking. Some individuals, due to no fault of their own are in a deep, troubled way. It might take some a couple of attempts to trust and work through the process.

We will have to understand and realize there will be some individuals who will not want to change. Some are not interested in any individual responsibility to change their circumstance. Yet that is no reason not to create the opportunities for those who want to change. Also, there will be those with mental or physical disabilities that can only work with supervision and assistance, but still contribute and be productive.

Then, those individuals who take those opportunities to “flip their script” can be motivating to others that change is possible, if you do the work. Yes, work and it very well will be work before actually obtaining a paying job. This initial work might be securing proper identification, resume’ building, practicing for interviews, job training and vocational or educational programs.

This process of coordinating and collaborating with real and sustainable outcomes can be applied to many of our state issues. I believe the most important component is realizing every Alaskan is a stakeholder. This process could very well bring all Alaskans as stakeholders to the table to work to get others to work.

Michael P. Carson serves as vice president and recovery specialist at MyHouse, a Mat-Su homeless youth center. He is also the chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force.

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