On Thursday March 28, 1985 four folks signed Articles of Incorporation of the nonprofit corporation that would eventually become known as JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. today.
Sharron Lobaugh was the registered agent while the other three signers (incorporators) Vicki Hanna, Jackie Flory, and Charles Peep became the first board of directors. Juneau Alliance for the Mentally Ill was issued a Certificate of Incorporation on Friday March 29th, 1985.
At a small celebration marking this time in our history, we were honored to have received a legislative citation. This citation reads:
The members of the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature are proud to recognize JAMHI on its fortieth year. JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. serves thousands of Alaskans each year; providing integrated, high-quality, whole-person healthcare.
Established in 1985 as Juneau Alliance for the Mentally Ill (JAMI), and incorporated on March 29 of that year, JAMI was originally organized as a family-based, grass-roots advocacy organization. JAMHI provided support for adults with chronic, severe mental illness and focused on family care, information, referral, education and assertive stigma reduction.
JAMI became Juneau Alliance for Mental Health, Inc. on September 16, 2002; to better reflect the mission of helping Alaskans attain mental health. Juneau Alliance for Mental Health, Inc. brought on new service lines such as integrated primary care services and wellness coaching. It also merged with the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) – Juneau. To better meet the mission of helping people live their own best lives, JAMHI’s name was changed to JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. (JAMHI) in 2018.
Today, after having grown considerably from its beginnings; JAMHI employs more than eighty people providing a wide array of evidence-based and emerging practices- in person in Juneau and by telehealth across the state- to thousands of Alaskans annually. JAMHI’s staff connect clients with services and resources, help with basic needs through supported housing, provide stabilizing medications and primary medical care, develop life-changing therapeutic relationships, and much more. JAMHI employs a compassionate model of collaboration that keeps the persons served at the center of their care.
Everyone has a place at JAMHI; young and old, healthy and hurting. Whether it is maintaining health through prevention and primary medical care connections, helping identify a behavioral health condition early, or managing a chronic condition through caring support, JAMHI is available for all Alaskans.
On its fortieth anniversary, the members of the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature offer their sincere gratitude to JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. and its founders for their tenacity and dedication in serving persons with behavioral health needs with dignity and effectiveness.
Signed by Bryce Edgmon, Speaker of the House; Gary Stevens, President of the Senate; Rep. Sara Hannan, Sponsor; Rep. Andi Story, Co-Sponsor and Sen. Jesse Kiehl, Co-Sponsor.
As we officially kick off a year of events for our 40th year we want to not only celebrate these accomplishments and reintroduce the current JAMHI to the community; but will also be recording what we can of our history for future generations to understand how JAMHI came to be.