Facing Foster Care in Alaska

30/05/2026

Alaska is on the verge of a major change that could protect from unnecessary institutionalization.

A new bill — passed unanimously by both the House and Senate — would stop the long‑standing practice of placing foster youth in psychiatric hospitals simply because there’s nowhere else for them to go. Instead, the state would have just 7 days to prove a psychiatric placement is actually necessary.

For young people like Mateo Jaime, who spent months institutionalized without a hearing, this legislation is more than policy — it’s justice. It’s dignity. It’s a chance to ensure no child is left alone in a locked facility without due process or appropriate care.

This is long overdue. With foster home shortages worsening, too many children have been stuck in hospitals that aren’t meant for them — at a cost of over $1,000 a night and an even greater cost to their wellbeing.

If signed by the governor, this would be a big step toward a more humane system.

A bill awaiting Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s signature would require the state to prove that kids belong in an acute psychiatric hospital within seven days of admission.

28/05/2026

May is Foster Care Awareness Month 💙

In Alaska, over 2,400 children were in foster care as of March 2026.

Every child deserves a safe, stable, and loving home — and every biological, foster, adoptive and kinship family deserves support along the way.

Across Alaska, organizations and programs are working tirelessly to strengthen families, support caregivers, and help children thrive. Below are just a few of those making a difference in lives of children and families each and every day. Click on the weblinks to learn more about how you can support Alaskan children and families through these essential programs.

✨ Alaska Center for Resource Families (ACRF) — Provides training, support, and advocacy for foster, adoptive, and kinship families across Alaska.
🔗 https://acrf.org/

✨ Alaska Department of Family and Community Services Office of Children's Service (OCS) — Works to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children while supporting families through foster care and reunification services.
🔗 https://dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/default.aspx

✨ Facing Foster Care in Alaska — A youth-led organization empowering current and former foster youth through advocacy, leadership, and peer support.
🔗 https://www.ffcalaska.org/

✨ Beacon Hill— Supports foster care, family preservation, and adoption programs, as well as families in crisis through resources and support.
🔗 https://www.beaconhillak.com/

✨ Alaska Children's Trust — Focuses on preventing child abuse and neglect through education, partnerships, and family strengthening initiatives.
🔗 https://alaskachildrenstrust.org/

✨ Alaska CASA — Recruits and trains volunteer advocates who speak up for the best interests of children involved in foster care and the court system.
🔗 https://alaskacasa.org/

✨ VOA Alaska (Volunteers of America Alaska) — Provides housing, behavioral health, and family support services that help strengthen vulnerable children and families, including kinship care.
🔗 https://www.voaak.org/

✨ Kin Support Program - Haa Yatx’u Saani — Supports kinship caregivers and relative families in Southeast Alaska through advocacy, resources, and community connection.
🔗 https://southeastkin.org/

✨ Alaska Impact Alliance — Supports kinship families by providing direct financial stipends, connecting caregivers to critical local resources, and collaborating with prevention partners in communities across Alaska to implement best practices.
🔗 https://www.alaskaimpactalliance.com/

28/05/2026

May is

Alaska’s foster care system can’t do this alone. 💙

State agencies are overwhelmed, but ordinary Alaskans can help provide the stability and connection children need most.

26/05/2026

🚨 🚨Opportunity Alert! 🚨 🚨

National Association of Counsel for Children - Lived Experience Survey Opportunity

Foster youth and Alumni ages 25 & Under, a potential paid survey opportunity.

Please complete the questions linked below. After completion the National Association of Counsel for Children's Legal Representation will review all forms and contact a select number of participants to complete the official survey. Survey participants will be compensated with a $25 gift-o-gram gift card, and have the opportunity to participate in an additional virtual feedback / focus group session.

Please complete the questions below. After completion the National Association of Counsel for Children's Legal Representation will review all forms and contact a select number of participants to complete the official survey. Survey participants will be compensated with a $25 gift-o-gram gift card, a...

20/05/2026

Protections of Social Security Benefits did not pass this legislative session.

Governor Mike Dunleavy could stop this harmful practice at any time. Nearly 40 states have already made the shift.

We’re hopeful that change is on the horizon. 💙

Alaska Legislature Takes Major Step to Protect Foster Youth Social Security Benefits The Alaska Legislature is moving toward a landmark change that would strengthen financial protections for young people in foster care. Representatives Jubilee Underwood and Andrew Gray secured an amendment in the H....

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

The Alaska Legislature Takes Major Step to Protect Foster Youth Social Security Benefits!

The is moving toward a landmark change that would strengthen financial protections for young people in foster.

Rep Jubilee Underwood and Rep. Andrew Gray introduced an amendment that passed the House that will stop the states harmful practice of collecting Social Security benefits from to reimburse itself—a practice widely known across the country as the “orphan tax.”

Earlier this year, Alaska ended the practice of taking Social Security Survivor Benefits from and now sets those funds aside for the young people they belong to. However, the state continues to collect foster youth's Social Security disability benefits, using them to offset state costs.

The amended language would require all Social Security benefits—survivor and disability—to be held in trust for foster youth, ensuring these critical resources support their transition into adulthood.

In a state where 45% of report experiencing homelessness by age 21–This shift would be a major step toward financial fairness and stability for young people in care.

We commend Representatives Underwood, Gray and the entire State House for this important move to protect foster youth! 💙

Read more about the history of this issue at the link below 👇🏻

Alaska Legislature Takes Major Step to Protect Foster Youth Social Security Benefits The Alaska Legislature is moving toward a landmark change that would strengthen financial protections for young people in foster care. Representatives Jubilee Underwood and Andrew Gray secured an amendment in the H....

19/05/2026

The Alaska Legislature approved new legislation to ensure greater oversight for Alaska youth in psychiatric facilities, including increased protections for foster youth, writes Corinne Smith for the Alaska Beacon.

One bill would shorten the deadline for foster youth to receive court hearings after being institutionalized and another would increase reporting requirements for youth in psychiatric institutions, among other provisions.

Lawmakers approved a bill that would shorten the deadline for court hearings for foster youth from 30 days to seven days of being admitted, following high-profile news reports, lawsuits and federal investigations around foster youth languishing for weeks, or even years, in psychiatric facilities. The bill requires youth to have a court appointed attorney, and to have subsequent case reviews by the court every 30 days.

The Alaska House passed House Bill 36 unanimously last year, and the Senate approved the proposal on Saturday by a vote of 19 to 1, with Sen. Rob Yundt, R-Wasilla absent. The bill now moves to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for consideration.

The Alaska Legislature approved new legislation to ensure greater oversight for Alaska youth in psychiatric facilities.

17/05/2026

House Bill 36 Passed the Alaska State Senate Today— A Historic Victory for Alaska’s Foster Youth! 💙

If signed by Governor Mike Dunleavy House Bill 36 will ensure that any foster youth placed in a hospital for acute psychiatric care receives a court hearing within seven calendar days.

This safeguard means youth and professionals can get before a judge quickly to determine whether the placement is appropriate and what level of care is truly needed.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Rep. Andrew Gray , who listened to , BELIEVED THEM and championed this issue with heart and determination.

We’re so proud of all the & alumni at Facing Foster Care in Alaska who showed up with courage to share their lived experiences.

Follow the Link for more details 👇🏻

House Bill 36 Passes the Alaska State Senate— A Historic Victory for Alaska’s Foster Youth! Today, the Alaska State Senate passed House Bill 36, and we are celebrating an extraordinary milestone. If signed by the Governor, House Bill 36 will ensure that any foster youth placed in a hospital f.....