Alaska Department of Family and Community Services

06/13/2026

VOLUNTEER WITH PURPOSE | The Alaska Pioneer Homes welcome volunteers from all walks of life, including individuals, families, students, service clubs, churches, and local businesses.

Volunteers provide meaningful activities and companionship for the Elders who call our homes their own, supporting their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

There are many ways to get involved, such as:

• Visiting socially with Elders
• Assisting with games, reading, or organized activities
• Helping with community outings
• Sharing musical talents
• Adopting a flower or vegetable garden
• Supporting small improvement or organizing projects
• Bringing children or pets for visits (where permitted)

Whether you have a few hours a week or are looking for a one-time opportunity, your time can make a lasting impact.

To learn more or sign up, contact your local Pioneer Home or visit dfcs.alaska.gov/daph/Pages/Careers/default.aspx

06/12/2026

📢 | Alaska Center for Resource Families: Alaska Child Welfare Academy is offering a free virtual Strengthening Families Alaska (SFA) training for all families and professionals in partnership with Alaska Center for Resource Families!
SFA is designed for foster parents and professionals who work with parents, youth, and children.
🗓 FREE Training Event: June 15-16, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
👉 Register today: https://uaa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39plvHk8TlsoiG2

Alaska Child Welfare Academy is offering a free virtual Strengthening Families Alaska (SFA) training for all families and professionals in partnership with Alaska Center for Resource Families!
SFA is designed for foster parents and professionals who work with parents, youth, and children.

🗓 FREE Training Event: June 15-16, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
👉 Register today: https://uaa.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39plvHk8TlsoiG2

06/12/2026

CHILKAT PLAZA REOPENING | The Juneau Pioneers' Home celebrated the reopening of the Chilkat Plaza on Wednesday with residents, families, staff and community partners.

Guests gathered to enjoy refreshments, hear remarks from Alaska Department of Family and Community Services Commissioner Tracy Dompeling, Alaska Pioneer Homes Director Dr. Kern McGinley and Juneau Pioneers' Home Administrator Emily Palmer, and take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The revitalized outdoor space provides a welcoming place for residents and their loved ones to gather, visit and enjoy time together. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special occasion. We look forward to seeing the Chilkat Plaza enjoyed for years to come.

06/10/2026

SHORT-TERM CARE, LONG-TERM IMPACT | Make a powerful impact in your community by becoming a respite foster care provider!

Office of Children’s Services is recruiting licensed respite homes to take short-term placements of children when their current foster parents need assistance.

The benefits of becoming a licensed respite home:

✅ Provide short-term support for another licensed foster parent
✅ Get to know what fostering looks like
✅ Support children in care with a safe home

Respite foster care providers/homes must be licensed for foster care and must pass a criminal background check through fingerprinting.

For more information about foster care: dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/fostercare

06/05/2026

📢 | Alaska Department of Health: CALLING OUR NEIGHBORS: Alaskans need blood donors now.

✅ FACT: One blood donation can make a life-saving difference for SEVERAL Alaskans.

Alaska's blood supply is critically low, and current supply constraints from the Lower 48 mean we are leaning into donations from Alaskans to help meet our needs.

Please consider donating blood today!

Patients throughout Alaska - your family, friends, and neighbors, need what you can share.

How can you help?

🧠 Consider donating blood today
🚀 Organize a blood drive in your community
📅 Make an appointment or find a walk-in donation center near you

All Blood Bank of Alaska locations welcome you to make an appointment or walk-in today.

CALLING OUR NEIGHBORS: Alaskans need blood donors now.

✅ FACT: One blood donation can make a life-saving difference for SEVERAL Alaskans.

Alaska's blood supply is critically low, and current supply constraints from the Lower 48 mean we are leaning into donations from Alaskans to help meet our needs.

Please consider donating blood today!
Patients throughout Alaska - your family, friends, and neighbors, need what you can share.

How can you help?
🧠 Consider donating blood today
🚀 Organize a blood drive in your community
📅 Make an appointment or find a walk-in donation center near you

All Blood Bank of Alaska locations welcome you to make an appointment or walk-in today.

06/02/2026

📢 | Alaska Department of Health: EVERYONE COPES DIFFERENTLY

Find what works for you.

Feeling connected to yourself and to others can support mental health, reduce stress, and make change feel possible.

Connection can look different for everyone. It might mean spending time in nature, joining a group, reading a book that helps things make sense, or finding a community where you feel welcome.

Alaska's Next Move campaign connects you to real options for substance use and mental health support. Find what works for you at https://health.alaska.gov/en/education/next-move/

EVERYONE COPES DIFFERENTLY | Find what works for you.

Feeling connected to yourself and to others can support mental health, reduce stress, and make change feel possible.

Connection can look different for everyone. It might mean spending time in nature, joining a group, reading a book that helps things make sense, or finding a community where you feel welcome.

Alaska's Next Move campaign connects you to real options for substance use and mental health support. Find what works for you at https://direc.to/fVEZ

05/30/2026

📢 | Alaska Center for Resource Families: Wednesday, June 3rd at 12-1pm via Zoom!

ACRF has launched a series called Resource Spotlight to help resource families find more supports and resources within the community! Join us to discover how the 907 Navigation App through the Alaska Impact Alliance can help support foster, adoptive, and kinship families. During this session, you'll learn about the resources provided in the app, have the chance to ask questions to professionals, and gain insights and experiences from other resource families.

To register, click here >>> https://form.jotform.com/251767339676170

Wednesday, June 3rd at 12-1pm via Zoom!
ACRF has launched a series called Resource Spotlight to help resource families find more supports and resources within the community! Join us to discover how the 907 Navigation App through the Alaska Impact Alliance can help support foster, adoptive, and kinship families. During this session, you'll learn about the resources provided in the app, have the chance to ask questions to professionals, and gain insights and experiences from other resource families.

To register, click here >>> https://form.jotform.com/251767339676170

05/29/2026

RESOURCES | Curious about Foster Care in Alaska?

Learn more about Office of Children’s Services and Foster Care resources by visiting FosterCare.alaska.gov or by visiting our community partners for more information:

Alaska Center for Resource Families
Beacon Hill
Facing Foster Care in Alaska
Alaska Impact Alliance
907 Navigation App
Resource Family Advisory Board (RFAB)

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As National Foster Care Month comes to an end, we are send a heartfelt THANK YOU to Alaska's foster parents, family members and unlicensed relatives, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and other community members throughout the state who open their hearts and homes to children and youth in foster care every single day of the year.

Additionally, we are absolutely grateful for all the work being done by the Office of Children’s Services and our community partners.

05/26/2026

MAKING A DIFFERENCE | Looking to make a difference in the lives of families but not sure where to start? Foster care is just one option!

Here are some other ways you can get involved:

✅ Support foster families directly: Provide respite care, help with errands, offer emotional support, or volunteer with foster care organizations.
✅ Help families in need: Donate to charities, mentor children, provide tutoring or educational assistance, or organize community events.
✅ Raise awareness: Advocate for policies, dispel misconceptions about foster care, and encourage others to get involved.

Learn more about foster care in Alaska and ways to become involved by visiting dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/fostercare.