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Foster Care and Resource Families
State of Alaska > Health & Social Services > Office Of Children's Services
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Alaska's Resource Families
Make a difference in the life of a child Call 1-800-478-7307 |
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This page should answer many of the questions that potential foster parents most frequently ask. If you still have questions. Talk to the Office of Children's Services office in your area. If you are a member of a Tribal or Native Corporation, contact the social services department. Some corporations have their own foster care programs and would welcome your interest in becoming a tribal foster home. Finally, the Alaska Center for Resource Families has a toll free number you can call, 1-800-478-7307. They provide materials and training to foster parents to learn about the children who come into foster care.
Voluntary Placements and Emergency Placements Due to TraumaSome children come from homes where addiction to drugs and alcohol by family members severely hurt the parents' ability to care for their children. Because of drugs or alcohol, children may be abused or neglected and come into care of the Office of Children's Services. Some parents are unable to take care of their children because of illness or emergencies in their family. Others may be in prison or in an extended residential treatment program. These parents may not have other resources to care for their children, so they put their children in temporary voluntary foster care. Some other parents feel they may hurt their children or need a break from the stress of caring for a difficult child. They may voluntarily put the child into foster care while they seek services to help them care for their child.
Youth Services, TeensSome teens come into foster care because they are involved in the court system for breaking the law. Their parents may not be able to care for them or may not be able to properly supervise their child. Foster parents who care for teens from Juvenile Justice work with a probation officer instead of a social worker.
Who Are the Children Who Need Care?Who are the children who come into foster care? Every shape, size, age, color, and temperament! Foster children are as individual as every child; each is unique. But there are some common reasons why children come into care.
Physically Abused, Neglected and Sexually Abused ChildrenSome children come into foster care because they have been physically hurt by people who care for them. Some have been sexually abused or molested by people in their lives and cannot be protected by their parents. Other children are not receiving basic food, shelter, supervision or medical care from their parents. Other children are abandoned by their parents.
Substance Affected Children and Children from Substance Abusing HomesMany families with children in foster care have problems with drug and alcohol. These problems can cause harm to children. For example, some children are exposed to drugs and alcohol while they are still in their mother's womb.
This section will answer some questions you might have about licensed foster care. You may be caring for a relative, or opening your home to an unrelated child. Either way, you bring something special to foster care. We look forward to working with you to provide good care for our communities' children!What is the Office of Children's Services?The Office of Children's Services, also called OCS, is the State of Alaska agency that looks after the welfare of Alaska's children ages birth to 18 years. It is funded by state and federal money and works under the laws of the State of Alaska. It has two purposes: to protect and provide services to children who have been abused or neglected and to protect the community from delinquent youth. FAMILY SERVICES: This section receives and investigates reports of child abuse, provides support to families, oversees the foster care system, and assists in adoption. JUVENILE JUSTICE: The State of Alaska, Division of Juvenile Justice provides probationary and correctional services to delinquent youth.
When Will OCS Take Custody of a Child?The Office of Children's Services (OCS) takes custody of a child when a child is facing immediate danger or a parent is absent. If OCS assumes physical custody, a child will be placed in a foster home or receiving home until further arrangements are made. A foster home is a safe, healthy place for a child to live while a family tries to repair itself and get back together.
Facts about Foster CareFinancial Facts: Foster parents receive foster care payments to assist in the normal costs incurred when caring for a child. Foster care payments are based on how many days a child is with you and how old the child is. Foster parents fill out a form called an Authorization and Invoice at the end of each month and mail it in. Foster care payments are not considered a salary to foster parents and are not taxable. Foster parents should have some other stable income other than the foster care payment. Medical Care Facts: Most children who come into foster care are eligible for Medicaid. Foster parents receive coupons to use to pay for medical care. Foster parents need to use a health provider who will accept Medicaid payments for services. Training Facts: Foster parenting depends on good parenting skills because children coming into care have special and challenging needs. Therefore, initial and ongoing training is required for all licensed foster parents. The Alaska Foster Parent Training Center is set up to help foster parents with this requirement through both on-site and self-study opportunities.
Example of PlacementOCS received a call from a neighbor who thought the child next door had been left alone for many hours while the mother had gone drinking. When the social worker went to investigate, she found a four year old child left in charge of her 15 month old brother. The stove was on. There was little food in the house. When the child was asked where her mother was, the child only shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. The girl had obviously tried to change the baby's diaper. The baby had a bad case of diaper rash. These children were placed with a foster family in the area until a parent or relative could be found.
What is "Licensed Foster Care"?Many people have served as "substitute" parents when relatives or neighbors have not been able to care for their children due to illness or absence. Licensed Foster Care provides this same kind of care, but is more organized and more regulated. Usually children come into care because their family cannot keep them out of harm's way. This family may have problems such as abuse or addiction that is causing serious harm to children. Licensed foster care is based on the premise that all children have the right to physical care, education, and emotional nurturance. The goal of foster care is to provide temporary care until families can again care for their children or until a permanent home is found for the children. People who are interested in permanently caring for a child should explore the many avenues of adoption that are available through the state.
Why Does OCS Need You?Good foster homes are always needed! By becoming a licensed foster parent, you make your home available for these children. That is a gift to your community as well as to the child in your care.
Checklist For a Licensed Foster Parent r Needs to be 21 years of age. r No physical, mental health, or criminal issues that pose risk to children. r No smoking in the same room with an infant or toddler. r Cannot have a day care or adult care business while providing foster care without prior approval from OCS. r Cannot have a substantiated child abuse or neglect case. r Must agree not to use spanking to discipline children.
Checklist For a Licensed Foster Care Home
r Fire extinguisher and smoke detector. r Firearms stored and not accessible to children. r Children should have own crib or bed. Young children of the same sex may share a double bed. r Space for child's things. r Childproofing as age appropriate. r Water test if on private well. r Water temperature set at 120o if taking young children. r Usable exits in children's sleeping areas.
Foster homes generally are of two types:
What Does It Mean to be a Licensed Foster Home?Licensed foster care means a foster home is agency approved and meets basic standards of safety set by law and regulation. These standards reduce the physical risk that children may face in an unfamiliar home. Licensed foster homes abide by the regulations that are set up for foster care. Because these foster homes are licensed and agree to meet these standards, licensed foster homes are eligible for foster care payments to help with the cost of caring for a child. These payments are not a salary. This money is designed to be a reimbursement for the child's expenses and costs of items which are normal in the care of a child. Foster care payments are not enough to replace outside employment. Foster care affects your whole family. Talk over the decision with your family members. Are both spouses interested in caring for the children? How do the children feel about sharing space, toys, parents, and attention? Foster care can be a good experience for children in taking care of others in the community. But foster care makes demands on all family members. Make sure it is a family decision.
The Application: What is Involved?Becoming a foster parent is not as simple as applying for a job. Paperwork needs to be filled out. Some issues need to be checked such as previous histories of child abuse, criminal history or substance abuse. A visit to your home will also be made. The visit will probably last 1 to 2 hours.
Alaska
Center for Resource Families 815 Second Avenue
Suite 101
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