Alaska Native Resources

The Alaska Center for Resource Families has many resources of special interest to Indian Child Welfare Workers, tribal workers, staff of tribal social services organizations, and resource parents caring for Alaska Native children. Available resources include recruitment materials, resource and training materials, and links to web sites of interest. Our staff are also available for support, collaboration and technical assistance.

In Alaska, a disproportionate number of Alaska Native children and families are involved in the child welfare system. ACRF values Native culture and knows that it is essential for Native children to maintain connections to their families, culture and Tribes. We hope that these resources will assist foster and adoptive families in keeping Native children connected to their culture and assist them in understanding Native values.

Recruitment Materials

Becoming a Resource Family: What You Should Know (pdf format) Pamphlets that can be used to educate interested families in how to become a foster or adoptive family.

The Alaska Center for Resource Families: How We Can Be of Assistance to Indian Child Welfare Workers (pdf format) A brochure that outlines our services to ICWA and tribal workers.

Resource and Training Materials

The Native Resource Handbook gives information on ICWA, cultural resources and statewide organizations. It will help resource families and social services professionals to keep all Native children connected to their culture and heritage. This book was assembled by the Anchorage Native Resource Family Recruitment and Retention Committee in 2005 and has been modified for use in all regions.

Anchorage Region (pdf format)
Northern Region (pdf format)

Our Lending Library has several self-studies addressing tribal and cultural issues. Click on the following to access a pdf file of this titled training.

Cross Cultural Child Care: A Guide for Foster Parents (pdf Course)
How Foster and Adoptive Parents Can Work with Tribes (pdf Course)
The Importance of Culture and Maintaining Connections for Alaska Native Children (pdf Course)
The Indian Child Welfare Act (pdf Information Packet)
Alaska Native Values (pdf Information Packet)

Click here for our entire Self-Study Catalog (pdf format)

Other Links of Interest:

The Office of Children's Services ICWA Specialists: Each region of the State of Alaska Office of Children's Services has a Regional Indian Child Welfare Specialist designated to oversee ICWA cases. Click on the name to contact the ICWA Specialist for each region.

Alaska Directory of Tribes: Directory of all Alaskan Tribes

ICWA Tribal Designated Agents (pdf format) This list is to be used by the states to
notify tribes of child custody proceedings per ICWA law.

Alaska Native Indian Child Welfare Association (ANICWA)