Caring for a relative’s child in Alaska can be a rewarding yet complex journey. The Alaska Kinship Care Program aims to support relatives, like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings, who step up to care for children when their parents are unable to do so. Understanding the resources available is crucial for navigating this system and ensuring the well-being of both the child and the caregiver. This guide compiles essential resources to help you understand the Alaska kinship care landscape, find financial aid, legal guidance, and connect with support networks.
Key Resources for Alaska Kinship Caregivers
This section provides a structured overview of vital resources designed to assist individuals involved in the Alaska Kinship Care Program. Whether you are just beginning your journey or seeking ongoing support, these resources offer valuable information and assistance.
Orientation and Initial Steps
Starting with the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) can be overwhelming. These resources provide introductory information and guidance for relatives new to kinship care or OCS custody.
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Relative Caregiver Orientation Schedule: This schedule is your starting point. It offers fundamental information about licensing, financial resources, and the unique aspects of kinship and relative foster care within Alaska.
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Guide to Child Protective Services for Relatives: This guide from the Alaska Department of Family and Community Services offers relatives a clear pathway through Child Protective Services, outlining processes and support systems relevant to kinship care in Alaska.
Financial Assistance for Relative Caregivers in Alaska
Financial considerations are often a primary concern for kinship caregivers. Alaska offers several avenues for financial support to help relatives meet the needs of children in their care.
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Relative Orientation – Financial Resource Guide: This resource guide specifically addresses financial support options available to relative caregivers in Alaska, detailing various programs and eligibility criteria.
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Emergency Relief Support (ERS) for Relative Placements: Unlicensed relatives in Alaska may be eligible for Emergency Relief Support payments when a child is placed in their care. This immediate financial assistance can help cover initial expenses during the first two months while caregivers pursue licensing or apply for further public assistance. Contact the Placement Search and Support Unit for details:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1-855-603-8637
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OCS HOTLINE: 1-855-60-FUNDS: This hotline is a dedicated resource for licensed families and relative caregivers with children in OCS custody. It connects you to various units, including:
- Press 1: Special Needs Hotline
- Press 2: Placement Search and Support Unit
- Press 3: Child Care Unit
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OCS Special Needs Hotline Brochure: For caregivers addressing the unique needs of children in their care, the Special Needs Hotline Brochure provides information and contact points for specialized support within the Alaska system.
Legal Guidance and Custody Information
Navigating the legal aspects of kinship care is essential. These resources offer guidance on legal guardianship, custody arrangements, and understanding the child welfare system in Alaska.
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Becoming a Legal Guardian for a Child in Foster Care: This guide clarifies the process of obtaining legal guardianship for a child in foster care in Alaska, outlining the steps and requirements involved.
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Family Matters: A Basic Guide to Custody Arrangements: Developed by the Alaska Center for Resource Families, this guide explores legal custody arrangements for children placed outside of formal child protective services, offering clarity on various legal pathways.
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Understanding ICPC: For cases involving children moving across state lines, understanding the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is critical. Reach out to Lisa Marx at the Interstate Compact Office – Office of Children’s Services at (907) 209-7650 or via email at [email protected] for information. Further audio resources on ICPC may also be available through the Office of Children’s Services.
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A Family’s Guide to the Child Welfare System: This guide from the Child Welfare League of America and the National Indian Child Welfare Center provides a comprehensive overview of the child welfare system, beneficial for Alaska kinship caregivers navigating this system.
Support Networks and Organizations
Connecting with other kinship caregivers and support organizations can provide emotional, practical, and community support.
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The Alaska Kinship Caregivers of Children Facebook Group: Join this Facebook group to connect with a supportive online community of Alaska kinship caregivers, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others. Share experiences, gain advice, and find solidarity with families in similar situations.
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Volunteers of America (VOA) –Kinship Care Project: VOA Alaska’s Kinship Care program offers additional family services for full-time relative caregivers in Alaska. You don’t need to be licensed or have legal custody to access support.
- Enroll: Submit an intake form and family needs assessment to be connected with a Care Coordinator who will help create a support plan tailored to your family’s needs.
- Contact:
- Email: [email protected]
- Director of Family Services: (907) 265-1905
- Family Care Coordinators: (907) 419-4537 / 4536 / 4672
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Beacon Hill Family Support Services: Located in Anchorage and Mat Su, Beacon Hill offers Family Support Services which may be beneficial for kinship families in these regions. Contact them directly to explore available programs.
Guides and Articles for Kinship Caregivers
These guides and articles offer broader perspectives and advice on kinship care, drawing from both Alaskan and national resources.
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Grandparents Taking Care of Grandchildren (Radio Program): Listen to this KSKA Radio program featuring Alaskan grandparents discussing their experiences raising grandchildren due to parental substance abuse, offering personal insights into the realities of kinship care in Alaska.
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Raising Relatives’ Children: This book from the Iowa Foster Parents Association provides comprehensive guidance on raising relatives’ children, covering various aspects of kinship care that are broadly applicable.
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HelpGuide.org – Grandparents Rights and Custody Options: While not Alaska-specific, HelpGuide.org’s resource offers valuable information on grandparents’ legal rights and custody options, with insights relevant to kinship caregivers.
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Grandfamilies.org: Sponsored by Casey Family Programs and others, Grandfamilies.org is a national website providing a wide array of resources for grandfamilies and kinship caregivers across the US, including Alaska.
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Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System: This information packet from the Child Welfare Information Gateway offers a national perspective on kinship caregivers within the child welfare system, providing context and broader understanding.
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AARP Resources for Grandfamilies: AARP offers resources to assist grandparents raising grandchildren, including a getting-started guide, useful for many Alaska kinship caregivers.
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Partnering with Relatives to Promote Reunification: This article from the Child Welfare Information Gateway discusses the importance of partnering with relatives to promote reunification, a key goal within the Alaska kinship care framework.
Annie E. Casey Foundation Kinship Care Series: Managing Risk Factors
This video series from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, featuring kinship care expert Joseph Crumbley, offers training credit and valuable insights into managing risk factors in kinship care. Each module is worth (.5 hr) of training and uses a micro-training video questionnaire for credit.
- Module One: Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Guilt – Watch here
- Module Two: Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Loss and Ambivalence – Watch here
- Module Three: Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Projections and Transference – Watch here
- Module Four: Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Hope, Fantasy and Denial – Watch here
- Module Five: Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Loyalty Issues – Watch here
Conclusion
The Alaska Kinship Care Program is multifaceted, but numerous resources are available to support relative caregivers. By utilizing the guides, financial aid options, legal resources, and support networks detailed above, caregivers can confidently navigate the system and focus on providing a stable and loving home for the children in their care. Explore these resources to gain a deeper understanding of the support available to you and to connect with the Alaska kinship care community.
