About Us

Partners for Progress has a long and successful history helping to develop Alaska’s therapeutic courts statewide.  In 1999 we partnered with Judge Jim Wanamaker and the Municipality of Anchorage to start Alaska’s first therapeutic court for substance abusing offenders, the Anchorage Wellness Court.  Since then we have coordinated with the Court System, legislators and state administrators to assist developing therapeutic courts in Bethel, Juneau, Ketchikan, Palmer and Fairbanks and to expand and strengthen the therapeutic courts in Anchorage.  

Our ongoing programs provide vital services to therapeutic courts statewide.  Partners for Progress encourages efforts by the Department of Corrections to habilitate prisoners while they are in jail, as well as re-entry programs that ease the transition from prison to the community.

Our lean and efficient program, headed by our Executive Director, is supported by federal and state grants, private donations and many volunteer hours.  Over ninety percent of our annual budget is used for programs. 

Partners’ Board of Directors is based in Anchorage and meets bimonthly.  The Partners for Progress Advisory Council includes community and state leaders from across Alaska.

Executive Director

Claire Waddoup