Adoption & Guardianship Home Studies
We are so happy to announce that as of July 1, 2021, Alaska Adoption Services was awarded the Adoption & Guardianship Home Studies for Resource Families Grant from the State of Alaska and the Office of Children's Services!
This means that Alaska Adoption Services is the sole contractor to write home studies state-wide for families involved in the child welfare system!
Alaska Adoption Services completes roughly 420 adoption and guardianship home studies per year.
About Home Studies
According to the State of Alaska's Request for Proposals, "Adoption and Guardianship Home Studies contribute to the OCS vision and mission by promoting timely permanency for children in foster care who cannot return to their home of origin. Home Studies can be completed for children in the custody of OCS and in the custody of other states who request adoption home studies through the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC). Children deserve careful consideration in the selection of a permanent family. The home study can help assure child safety, permanency and well-being in the Resource Family home and is a required element of the finalization of all adoptions and guardianships in Alaska. The home study includes a thorough evaluation of the family and background check results. The child’s needs and the family’s ability to meet the child’s needs are assessed."
Process
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Once a child's case moves towards permanency, the assigned OCS caseworker will submit a child-specific referral to the appropriate State of Alaska Regional Permanency Planning Specialist (RPPS).
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Every Wednesday, the RPPS sends approved referrals to the Permanency Coordinators at Alaska Adoption Services (AAS).
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Once referrals are received, the AAS Permanency Coordinator contacts the family within one week to learn more about the family and child before assigning a home study writer.
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Once the home study writer is assigned, the writer will contact the family within one week of assignment to schedule home study interviews.
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The home study writer has 50 days to conduct interviews and write the first draft of the home study.
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Clinical reviews are completed by AAS staff before a final draft is approved and signed.
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The family will receive a final, unsigned, copy of the home study 30 days after OCS receives the final copy.
Contact Information for Permanency Coordinators at Alaska Adoption Services:
Kristin O'Meara
Permanency Coordinator/Expectant Parent Advocate
907-302-8813
"I wanted to take a moment to let you know that in a sea of uncertainty, this process has run as smooth as any I have encountered. Start to finish, the communication with your organization was thoughtful, precise and communicated without flaw. When I look back on this experience, this will be one area where I will say the State of Alaska made an excellent choice in engaging your services."
Anonymous Pre-Adoptive Parent