FFCA Coordinator Receives National Recognition

Amanda Metivier, foster care alum and longtime coordinator of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, was awarded the prestigious Casey Family Foundation Excellence for Children Alumni Award at a ceremony held in Seattle on January 17, 2013. Amanda was chosen from among former foster youth in all 50 states for this recognition. As many throughout Alaska know, Amanda has been a tireless leader and advocate for improving the foster care system in Alaska. She has nurtured the growth of FFCA, which recently became its own 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, and has been instrumental in achieving significant legislative changes that have benefited foster youth, such as extending the age of foster care to 21 and allowing for re-entry into foster care for older youth.  Along the way, Amanda managed to earn both a bachelors and masters degree in social work. She is currently employed at the UAA Child Welfare Academy overseeing the Education and Training Voucher program, providing postsecondary education support, intensive case management, and assistance to foster youth who attend college or vocational programs that will lead to gainful employment. Amanda continues in her leadership position with FFCA in addition to her "day job."  Congratulations Amanda!

Read more. Click here to view a video interview of Amanda  on the Casey Family Programs website.