Adoption Services
Foster Parent Services
CORE Resource Center
Support/Links
Self-Study
Native Resources
Independent Living
Calendar

How do I become a foster or adoptive parent?

The Alaska Center for Resource Families provides resources and training for prospective foster families.

View our newsletter!

"Training Tracks", our quarterly newsletter, provides fresh coverage of topics of interest for foster and adoptive families.

Self-Study Catalog!

View or print ACRF's Self-Study catalog with Adobe Acrobat.



Potential foster and adoptive families are called "resource families" and go through a similar process of being approved to have children placed in their homes. Read on to find out how you can adopt a child from the foster care system!

STEPS TO BECOMING AN ADOPTIVE PARENT

Attend the Resource Family Orientation: Attend the local orientation in your area to learn more about the system and the process. Pick up your application form there.  For a current schedule for Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Mat-su see the orientation schedule.  orientation schedule or you can call ACRF in your area

Fairbanks........... 479-7307 Anchorage......... 279-1799
Mat-Su.............. 376-4678 Juneau.............. 790-4246

If there is not an orientation in your area, ACRF offers the following options:

Complete the Resource Family Application: It is generally advised that interested persons go through the licensing process, so that children can be more easily placed in your home.  Fill out the licensing application and send it back. This starts the process of licensing which will include a home visit and background checks. If you are licensed, OCS can place children who may be possibly available for adoption but not yet legally free for adoption. If you choose not to be licensed, OCS is still interested in you as an adoptive family, but can only place children who are legally free for adoption in your home.  Contact your local Regional Adoption Specialist directly if you are interested only in children who are currently legally free for adoption.

Regional Adoption Specialists (RAS):

  • Anchorage: Gail Stadig, 907-269-4069
  • Northern Region/Fairbanks: Bobbie Redinius, 907-451-2097.
  • Southcentral/Wasilla/Palmer: Sharon Lilja, 907-761-3925
  • Southeast/Juneau: Karilee Pietz, 907-465-3236
Attend the CORE Training for Resource Families:  No matter if you are going through the recommended licensing process or not, all potential adoptive families are asked to complete the Core Training for Resource Families.  Many communities offer this on site. Some rural communities use a self study option available through the Alaska Center for Resource Families.

Complete Adoption Home Study: The next step is the home study, which is a comprehensive written document that helps OCS understand your home and what you have to offer a child.  If you are currently licensed and have a child in your home who is being considered for adoption, the Regional Adoption Specialist or your social worker can refer you for a home study. There are also private home study writers that can complete the document, but you will need to pay for a private home study yourself. If you adopt a child through OCS, you can have the cost of your home study reimbursed so keep your receipt. Ask your local RAS or ACRF for a list of private home study writers.

Give a copy of home study to RAS: The contractor will give a completed copy of the home study to the OCS Regional Adoption Specialist (RAS) or you should give a copy of your privately done home study to the RAS for use in placing a child with you.

List your family on the OCS Adoption Exchange: or the Northwest Adoption Exchange. You may choose to get listed in this family section of the website which eventually will be made available to social workers across the State to help with placing children from other regions. It will not be made public.

Placement of a Child in Your Home: Often foster families have foster children already placed in their home, who become available for adoption. When children need adoptive placements, the social workers and the Regional Adoption Specialists (RASs) will review the families who are available. They select families based upon the child’s special situation and the family’s preferences. Once the potentially adoptive home is selected, the social worker or RAS will work with your family to schedule an introductory meeting and outline a transition plan for placement. The adoptive child needs to be in your home for a minimum of six consecutive months of positive placement before the adoption can be finalized. This allows all parties to be sure that the match is positive.

Services and support will also be offered to your family and the child(ren). Staff with the Alaska Center for Resource Families is available to work with your family, the social worker and any other professionals to coordinate pre- and post- adoption support.

Adoption Day: A hearing will be held to finalize your adoption and to create a legally bound life long relationship. This hearing is a celebration of your new family! Again, the professionals working with your family will guide you through this process. However, if you have questions you can always access supportive adoption staff through the Alaska Center for Resource Families.

Schedule for Orientation on Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent

 

Upcoming Events

 

Contact Our Offices

 

Resource Family Handbook

View or print the Resource Family Handbook with Adobe Acrobat.

NEW Interactive Self-Study Orientation

 
A project of Northwest Resource Associates. Funded by the State of Alaska DHSS, Office of Children's Services.
Copyright © 2008 Northwest Resource Associates and the Alaska Center for Resource Families. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.