In Alaska, there are currently 1,500 children in the foster care system. Most have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Alaska, as well as every other state in the United States, is in desperate need for good, loving, qualified foster homes.
For those who are interested in providing a foster home to children in need, here are the basic regulations and requirements for persons residing in Alaska.
Training Requirements
Orientation training is required for all new applicants. Additionally, the state of Alaska requires a one-parent foster home to receive ten hours of training per year. Fifteen hours of training are required for a two-parent home, which is shared between the parents annually.
Foster Parent Requirements
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
- May be single or married.
- May have children or be childless.
- Shall have income sufficient to care for the family, including the foster children, without relying on the reimbursement funds from foster care payments.
- No physical or mental health issue that may hamper ability to foster parent.
- No criminal issues that would pose a risk to children.
- May not run a daycare, or adult care business, while providing foster care services without first receiving approval from the Office of Children’s Services.
- Should not have a child abuse or neglect case that has been determined to be substantiated.
- Will need to provide four references, only one may be a relative.
- Must submit to being fingerprinted.
- Submit to background and criminal checks on all the adults in the household.
- Will need to receive military clearance if residing on a military installation.
Requirements for the Foster Home
- Home may be owned or rented.
- Must have adequate bedroom space for the foster children, with enough space to store the child’s things.
- Useable exits in the areas where the children sleep.
- Each foster child must have his/ her own bed. Young children of the same gender may share a double bed.
- Must have a fire extinguisher and smoke detector on the premises.
- Guns need to be safely stored and not accessible to children.
- Age appropriate childproofing
- The water temperature should be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- No smoking allowed in the same room with an infant or toddler.
- Home must be maintained in a safe and sanitary manner, able to pass an inspection by an OCS worker.
Foster parents make a life-changing difference in the lives of the children they care for, as well as the community they live in. For more information on becoming a foster parent in the state of Alaska, contact the Alaska Office of Children’s Services at 1-800-478-7307.
Reference: State of Alaska Health & Social Services, Office of Children’s Services
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Crystal Killion - Crystal Killion is a freelance writer and mother of five. She has worked with children in various capacities for over 20 years as a ...
