Navigation Paths to Adoption Through the Alaska Foster Care System: A Resource Guide for Potential Adoptive Parents

Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Project ManagementAlaska has a higher than national average rate of adoption from foster care. While just over 20% of children in foster care nationally are discharged from state custody through adoption Alaska has nearly 30% of foster children discharged from state custody through adoption. There are a number of programs and resources available for foster parents and families interested in adopting through foster care in Alaska. However, there lacks a comprehensive single-point reference guide to explore the various paths. This research was conducted to identify resources available for families interested in learning about paths to adopt from foster care in Alaska as well as what gaps are perceived by families who have begun the process of adopting through foster care. A literature review was conducted and specific adoption program information was reduced to a synopsis or flowchart to generally outline each path to adoption through foster care. The final outcome of the project was a resource guide that outlines basic requirements to adopt through foster care and a number of programs to do so. The paths covered by this guide are the ACRF Adoption Learning Path, Legal-Risk Adoptions, OCS Recruitment of Legally Free Children, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, ACRF PARKA Program, Alaska Adoption Exchange, and Tribal and ICWA Adoption.Title Page / Table of Contents / List of Exhibits / List of Appendices / Abstract / Introduction / Planning, Executing and Controlling / Research Methods / Literature Review / Path 1: ACRF Adoption Learning Path / Path 2: Foster/Adoption (Legal-Risk) / Path 3: OCS Recruitment for Adoption of Legally Free Children / Path 4: Wendy's Wonderful Kids (Legally Free Children) / Path 5: ACRF PARKA Program / Path 6: Northwest Adoption Exchange / Path 7: Tribal and ICWA Adoption / Conclusions / References / Appendice