Shelby is one of our Caregiver Connection Specialist for the Caregiver Connection Program here at the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska.  Shelby moved to Alaska after completing her Masters of Public Health in Health, Services, Policy and Management at the University of South Carolina. She is an Aunt to 6 nephews, and 2 nieces, and is a ‘Dog Mom’ to her 10-year-old rescued Miniature Pincher named Jake.  When she is not at work, Shelby is pursuing her PhD in Health Education and Promotion at Walden University, and also enjoys hiking and tv shows like New Girl and Brooklyn 99.

Specialty: T-Care

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 136]
✉ sfarthing@alzalaska.org

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Johnathan moved to Alaska in 2010. He has over 12 years of healthcare and medical experience supporting people of all ages. He has worked to help create activities and programs for mentally challenged adolescents and children and has also worked in the Orthopedic Unit at a local Anchorage hospital.

When he’s not working Johnathan loves to travel, watch football and basketball, and enjoys camping and being in the outdoors.

Specialty: T-CARE
Education: Nursing degree
Languages: English, Tagalog

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 105]
📠 907-561-3315
✉ jdavin@alzalaska.org

Kay Papakristo, M.Ed. has been an educator and disabilities advocate for over 26 years and is currently specializing in seniors and those living with dementia.

Kay has more than fifteen years of experience in academic program administration and workforce training. She is skilled in program development and assessment, outcomes evaluation, instructional design and technologies.

In her current role as Education Director with Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, Kay oversees a staff of 13 educators, collaborates with state and local partners, and manages multiple grant programs in an effort to educate and support all Alaskan’s impacted by dementia.

When Kay is not working, she enjoys adventures with her family, friends & her dog, Olive.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 126]
📠 907-561-3315
✉ kpapakristo@alzalaska.org

Kevin is our expert on mini-grants and offers support to the Education team. His personal experiences in dealing with dementia make him a valuable resource to those navigating a similar journey.

Specialty: Mini-Grants

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 122]
📠 907-561-3315
✉ ksilver@alzalaska.org

Debbie excels at providing educational support for people living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, their families, and their care partners.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 123]
📠 907-561-3315
✉ dchulick@alzalaska.org

Care Coordination Supervisor
Nikita earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2016. She spent the next five years working with women and children experiencing homelessness through Catholic Social Services.

She joined Care Coordination Resource of Alaska in 2021 when she was looking for a chance to deepen her understanding of ways to serve within the community. She also provides care to a disabled family member. Providentially, she joined Care Coordination Resource of Alaska and began learning about the populations we serve and the services we offer, when she learned that she has multiple extended family members who’ve experienced dementia diagnoses.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 119]
✉ nlinn@ccralaska.org

Myeongsun (May) was born and raised in South Korea and came to Alaska in 2014. She graduated from Hannam University in South Korea and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Christian Studies and Public Administration. Myeongsun speaks and writes in both Korean and English.

In the beginning of 2021, she became a Certified Care Coordinator and in April of 2021 she joined CCRA. Her goal is to help under-served populations navigate the many different community systems and find the best care team to meet their individual needs. Myeongsun advocats on behalf of her clients, provides them information and guides them through the paperwork & communications needed to make informed decisions when it comes to obtaining adequate supports within their community.

Before becoming a Care Coordinator she was a Personal Care Assistance working for seniors who needed hands-on assistance for daily living activities. She became a Case Manager which involved serving seniors and individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities in need of support to live safely and independently, both, in-home and in the community. Myeongsun was in this position for 3 years and advocated alongside her clients to empower them to make their own choices when it came to coordinating the right services with well-trained professional staff.

She believes that her role as a Care Coordinator provides a bridge across multiple systems and ensures clients are informed and empowered to lead to a more fulfilling, healthier and happier life.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 142]
✉ molson@ccralaska.org

Tami graduated from Biola University with a BA in Psychology. Her interest and the majority of her career has been in working with people with multiple challenges: intellectual & developmental disabilities, physical conditions & illnesses, substance abuse, mental health disorders, etc. Tami’s choice of careers was heavily influenced by her experiences with her youngest brother, who was born with a significant birth defect. With her parents’ support and care, he lived with her family the majority of his young life. Tami has seen the power of love and faith in altering someone’s life when doctors had given no hope. When his medical conditions progressed, he moved to a large group home in Anchorage where he was lovingly cared for by staff. She’s witnessed the power of someone’s life who, though very limited in his communication and physical abilities, made a profound impact on those around him. Through her brother’s life, she learned that someone’s life cannot be measured by what they do, but in the essence of who they are. Through Tami’s work as a Care Coordinator, she seeks to tell each person’s story, so their goals, interests & talents, and support needs are known and met through natural supports, community resources, and Waiver services.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 109]
✉ tbalts@ccralaska.org

Brandy has been providing Care Coordination services for 16 years. She has worked with People First of Alaska – Anchorage Chapter as a mentor providing assistance and guidance to the board and members to expand advocacy and disability awareness throughout the state.

Because of undiagnosed Scarlet Fever, Brandy’s cousin lost his hearing at a young age, piquing her interest in deaf culture and giving her an appreciation for the many different ways people can be different and unique.

She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and an Associate’s in Human Services with an emphasis in Disabilities. She works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as those who experience mental illness and people with ISB.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 129]
✉ bbarnes@ccralaska.org

You might say Tessie grew up in this field.  Tessie had 2 Deaf grandparents and a Father who was both Deaf and the Pastor of a Deaf Church in Oregon, and California. This exposure to the field led to her first job as a Counselor at Deaf Camp at the age of 15. Since then, Tessie has done 15 years of Respite care, and 10 years as Direct care through various agencies in 2 states, Oregon and Alaska.

While in Oregon Tessie was an Advocate for people who experience disabilities, serving a bit of time, with SDS in Eugene, on several committees.

Since then, she has relocated to Alaska with her family.

In 2021 Tessie won the AADD DSP Lifetime Achievement Award.  She states that “People who accept jobs for the good that they do and not the pay they receive are my people”

Tessie continues to grow in this career field as a Care Coordinator at CCRA. She looks forward to sharing her joy at Alaska’s unique attributes.

📞 907-561-3313   [ext 103]
✉ tbodio@ccralaska.org