December 2, 2008

Foster Parent Focus Groups

The Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Children's Services, is responsible for the delivery of child protective services in the state of Alaska. Services are available which enhance parent's capacities to provide their children with safe and nurturing homes. When children cannot safely remain in their own homes, provision is made for the children to be cared for out of their home. In these instances, some relatives become licensed foster parents to receive the stipend to offset the cost of caring for children. A system of foster homes is in place to provide care for children when a relative is not available. Foster parents are able to work collaboratively with the Office of Children's Services in supporting children. The Office of Children's Services seeks to improve services through a continuous quality improvement process. This report, written by Department of Health and Social Services Office of Children's Services, describes how the community groups were surveyed to gain information on the quality of services provided by the Office of Children's Services. The results were used to make program adjustments and changes.