Dating is a normal part of adolescence that is important for individual development and social adjustment. As the resource parent, you can help guide the teen in your care for safe dating practices. Be clear that you are responsible for setting the rules and boundaries for dating, including curfews.
A youth in care who wishes to drive must have a driver’s license or instructional driving permit to operate a motor vehicle. A youth in state custody may drive a vehicle only with Department approval by the OCS Protective Services Manager II, a Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, or the Juvenile Justice Deputy Director. The following will need to be supplied to the Department before approval will be considered:
It is illegal in Alaska for a person under the age of 19 to purchase or smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco. Resource parents are expected to restrict children from smoking and/or chewing tobacco. It is also against the law to purchase cigarettes and/or chewing tobacco for a person who is under the age of 19. Smoking within a foster home is prohibited and must be limited to outside the foster home. Smoking includes cigarettes, marijuana, tobacco, vaporizers, e-cigarettes, and cigars. A foster home shall ensure that cigarettes or other smoking products, ashtrays, lighters, or other smoking accessories are not visible or accessible to children in care.
If a youth in care wants to work, the decision should be made jointly between the youth, the child’s parent, the resource family, GAL, and the child’s assigned worker. Employment must be appropriate for the teen’s level
of maturity and should not interfere with school attendance or homework. If it is decided that employment is appropriate for the youth, it will be your responsibility to watch for any change in attitude and behavior. Employment should be a positive experience and teach necessary independent living skills. Bring any concerns or worries to the attention of the assigned worker. The resource family should help the child file the appropriate income tax returns, if necessary.
If a youth in care is employed at a business owned or managed by the resource family, the youth must be paid the same rate as other employees performing the same job duties. Please talk with the assigned worker if you are considering employing the foster youth in your family business.
A savings account is an appropriate way for a youth to gain skill in both banking and money management. Money earned by a child in care (including gifts and allowances) is a child’s personal property. A resource family shall notify the child's caseworker if the child's funds or savings exceed $200.00.
The account belongs to the child; however, if a child’s spending habits need to be limited, consider a savings account that requires both the child’s and the resource family parent’s signature for withdrawal. No member of a resource family may borrow or spend money acquired by the child in care. You may need to restrict the amount of spending money a child has access to if in the child’s best interest. When a child receives a substantial amount of money, such as earnings or gifts, report this to the assigned worker.
Foster youth must establish goals aimed at assuming and maintaining self-sufficiency as young adults, and increasing their education, vocational and housing opportunities. The child’s worker and the resource family should discuss the available alternatives with the youth and help him/her set realistic goals.
Some youth may be interested in pursuing vocational training. This includes apprenticeship programs, vocational or trade schools, armed services and Job Corps. OCS helps the youth achieve self-support by arranging for his/her care and support while securing job training.
Youth aged 16 and older who are placed out-of-home and are engaged with the Independent Living Program complete the Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA), annually until release of custody. The ACLSA can be accessed via the assigned Independent Living Specialist. The scores and responses in the ACLSA reflect a youth’s strengths as well as areas for growth. This information will be used by the Independent Living Specialist in transition planning with the youth to assist them in developing skills needed to live independently. Foster parentsResource families are often asked to assist the youth with the completion of the ACLSA.
The Alaska Center for Resource Families (ACRF) can provide resource materials for improving life skills. Areas in which youth should receive independent living education include:
The Alaska foster care program allows extensions for youth to continue state custody up to their 21st birthday. A court may grant in a hearing a resumption of state custody that does not extend beyond a person’s 21st birthday if the person:
To continue in foster care, the youth must sign on his/her own behalf. If you have questions, contact the Independent Living Specialist
An important part of daily living includes having fun with children in care and with all of your family members! Go to a park, take a walk, pick berries, read stories together, have a theme meal, go skating or sledding, play with a dog, teach a skill, tell a joke, try to make each other laugh, go fishing, bake cookies, play a board game, sing a song together, or listen to each other around the table. When enjoying each other’s company, we get along better, and we have some good times in our “emotional bank” to help us through the difficult times.