Facing Foster Care in Alaska

Our Mission is to improve the foster care system through sharing our experiences, supporting and educating youth and social services and implementing positive change in society as a whole.

What's New

Office Space for FFCA!

FFCA Coordinator Amanda Metivier has settled into her new office at 750 W. 5th Avenue in Anchorage. The FFCA space is co-located at the Covenant House Alaska Community Services Center at the corner of 5th Avenue and H Street downtown.

Amanda's work hours are Monday through Friday from 9AM to 5PM. Feel free to stop by and check out the new space. Soon there will be a work station set up where youth can complete job applications or financial aid forms or do some schoolwork. And once the conference table is set up, regional FFCA meetings will be held there.

Amanda is available to help link FFCA youth/alumni to resources and teach them to advocate for themselves on an individual level as well as a systems level. She can also attend their team meetings to ensure their voice is being heard and that they are not being denied anything that is their right. Call Amanda (230-8237) or drop by soon!

More Businesses Join FosterWear

FosterWear is the program created by the combined efforts of FFCA's Amanda Metivier, Rep. Les Gara and OCS to offer licensed foster families discounted clothing at participating stores. Since REI signed on as the original partner, additional stores around the state have joined the program. View the list of participating stores.

National CASA Conference

Five members of FFCA traveled to Denver in April to attend the 28th annual National CASA Association conference. Amanda Metivier, Angel Adams, Kaylee Day, Michael Schweitert and Candace Tucker presented two workshops: Independent Living Planning and Staying Connected to Culture. The group also participated in the closing plenary session of the conference along with members of The Real Word, a San Diego, CA group of foster care youth and alumni.

(FFCA's Michael, Amanda, Candace and Angel pose with members of The Real Word after their joint presentation at the National CASA conference).

The response was amazing! Dozens of conference goers stopped to talk to FFCA members after their presentations (and even at the airport!) and thanked them for speaking out. The group even signed an autograph or two!

National CASA staffer Rebecca Grossman, who invited the group to speak at the conference, said they were "awesome." Alaska CASA state director Marion Hallum stated, "They were thoughtful and articulate and profound. We are so proud of them."

View more pictures from the conference.

Foster Youth Mentor Program

After much progress with the implementation of the FosterWear Program, FFCA is teaming up with Representative Gara, Alaska Community Services, Alaska CASA, Covenant House, and other organizations to develop a foster youth mentorship program to support older youth in foster care in the areas of education, employment, and overall successful outcomes. The program will match youth in foster care with mentors when they reach the age of 16. The goal of the program is to identify a permanent connection to a caring adult who will continue their relationship with youth beyond foster care.

Statewide Retreat

FFCA held a statewide retreat in May 2009. FFCA members focused on membership guidelines and group bylaws to continue planning for the future of the group. FFCA members also developed position statements on topics important to them including; sibling contact, religious freedom, confidentiality, foster homes, and the transition to independence. Former FAC President Sallye Werner opened her home to host a baby shower and dinner for FFCA member Fherron. Fherron delivered a healthy baby boy at 7 pounds 4 ounces on May 26, 2009.

Graduation

Amanda Metivier received her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage on May 3, 2009. Congratulations Amanda!

About Us

Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA) is a group of current foster youth and alumni that has formed to make improvements to the foster care system in Alaska.

Guidelines for FFCA membership -- youth currently in care, age 15 and older, are eligible. Youth must be willing to participate in the advisory board, and must want to work on improving the foster care system for others. Alumni are those youth ages 18-24 and currently out of care who were in legal out-of-home placement through the Office of Children’s Services sometime during their youth. Members meet quarterly in their regions. Read More....

If you are interested in joining us, or know of a youth or alumni who may be interested in joining FFCA, please contact Amanda Metivier at facing_fostercare@yahoo.com or (907) 230-8237.

Promoting System Change

After polling the membership about what youth want and need from their advocates, FFCA created a brochure with guidelines for CASA volunteers and guardians ad litem. Download the brochure.

FFCA has released a publication on Mental Health Services and Foster Care. FFCA's 2008 policy agenda outlines needed child welfare system reforms. New workshops designed by FFCA help adults better understand the perspective of foster youth and alumni, and members are achieving national exposure for FFCA: member Angel Adams' artwork is featured on the cover of the Fall 2008 issue of The Connection, National CASA's quarterly magazine, and FFCA president Amanda Metivier, who wrote the youth editorial in the Winter 2008 issue of The Connection, talks about the work of FFCA in a National CASA podcast. Listen.

Get More Information

FFCA on Mental Health Services and Foster Care

2008 FFCA Policy Agenda

Check out our newsletter

Visit us on MySpace

FFCA brochure

2009 Statewide Retreats

February 13th-15th

May 15th-17th

August 14-16th

November 13-15th

If you are interested in attending a FFCA retreat, contact Amanda.

Helpful Links

OCS Independent Living Program - locate the independent living specialist in your region; find out how this program can help pay for school, job training and much more

Alaska Job Corps - free education and vocational training program

Nine Star Youth Services - high school completion, GED, job training, more

Alaska Military Youth Academy - education and life skills

Serve Alaska Youth Corps - receive job training and education while completing conservation and public safety based projects

Foster Care Alumni of America

Foster Club - national network for youth in foster care

Represent - national magazine written by and for youth in foster care

Casey Youth Resources - helpful links for youth

Youth Empowerment America

Orphan Foundation - scholarships, internships and more

Youth Communication - Foster Teen Magazine, true stories by teens

Identity Inc. - GLBTQ information, advocacy, support