About Us
About
Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA) is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the foster care system, developing leadership skills among current and former foster youth, and creating a network of peer support that is a lifeline for many foster youth and alumni.
FFCA provides foster youth and alumni opportunities to share lived experience about life in foster care to raise community awareness, educate child welfare staff, and government officials, and educate foster youth throughout Alaska about their rights, resources, and opportunities to share their voice to promote change.
About Facing Foster Care In Alaska (FFCA)
Our work centers on three core pillars: Advocacy, Training & Education, and Peer Support & Navigation.
Advocacy
FFCA’s Advocacy is powered by the voices and leadership of current and former foster youth. We work to ensure youth and alumni perspectives shape the policies, practices, and decisions that impact their lives. Through direct engagement with state leaders, lawmakers, and child welfare decision‑makers, our members share their lived expertise to drive meaningful, youth‑centered reform.
FFCA empowers youth to advocate not only for themselves, but for the generations of foster youth who will come after them.
Training & Education
FFCA’s Advocacy is powered by the voices and leadership of current and former foster youth. We work to ensure youth and alumni perspectives shape the policies, practices, and decisions that impact their lives. Through direct engagement with state leaders, lawmakers, and child welfare decision‑makers, our members share their lived expertise to drive meaningful, youth‑centered reform.
FFCA empowers youth to advocate not only for themselves, but for the generations of foster youth who will come after them.
Peer Support & Navigation - Real Connections
FFCA’s Peer Support and Navigation services connect foster youth with professional trained foster care alumni called, “connectors,” to offer guidance, emotional support, and practical help navigating placements, school, services, and transitions to adulthood. Our peer‑to‑peer model is built on trust, shared experience, and the belief that no young person should face foster care alone.
History
Founded in 2003 by a handful of foster youth and alumni, FFCA has grown to become the state’s leading organization on foster care reform and networking, and has received national recognition.
FFCA has touched the lives of hundreds of foster youth and alumni across Alaska. FFCA members have worked to improve the foster care system on both a state and national level through partnerships with state and private agencies, and youth alumni networks.
FFCA has developed a statewide network of youth and alumni across Alaska. FFCA has become nationally recognized as members have traveled throughout the country to present at various conferences, and even met with members of congress.
FFCA members have led efforts to expand services and supports for foster youth across Alaska, including;
- freedom of speech for foster youth,
- extending foster care to 21,
- foster care re-entry,
- tuition and higher education funds and access,
- mentors,
- laptops,
- discount clothing (FosterWear),
- foster parent recruitment,
- transitional living,
- medically necessary orthodontia,
- increased permanency for older youth,
- normalcy,
- sibling contact and placement,
- relative search,
- increased training and staff positions, and caseload standards for child protection,
- youth ages 14+ participation in case planning,
- loosened licencing regulations for rural communities,
- school stability,
- notice and access for foster youth of social security benefits,
- extended foster care beyond 21 for youth aging out during the COVID19 pandemic,
- published educational materials on youth engagement in court and rights,
- promoted foster care recruitment and public awareness,
Membership
FFCA Members include foster youth and alumni who are willing to participate and are dedicated to improving the foster care system for others. Foster youth and alumni gain working knowledge of Alaska’s child welfare system, develop skills in public speaking, advocacy, and have a unique opportunity to connect with their peers throughout the state.
What FFCA Members Do:
- Form recommendations to better the foster care system
- Educate professionals and the public about foster care issues through training and presentations
- Advocate for policy change
- Positively engage in a network of peer support
- Cultivate leadership and public speaking skills
- Participate in statewide retreats and conferences
- Network with state and national organizations working to improve foster care
- Educate and empower foster youth and society to make change
Membership represents a wide range of ages, including:
Youth ages 15+ currently in foster care
Alumni ages 15+ former foster youth
Alumni/Elders ages 25+ former foster youth
FFCA Members aged 15-24 have voting rights and can run for a position on the statewide Youth Leadership Board.
Youth Leadership Board (YLB)
Members ages 15-24 have the opportunity to be elected to the volunteer statewide Youth Leadership Board for a two year term, representing one of 5 regions within the state. The YLB assists in planning and facilitating statewide and regional activities for FFCA members.
Allies are non-members who support the work of FFCA throughout Alaska.
If you are interested in joining us, or know of a youth or alumni who may be interested in joining FFCA, please contact us at info@ffcalaska.org.
Programs
FFCA focuses on youth-led advocacy, training, and peer support.
Youth Retreats
We host four annual leadership retreats, open to foster youth and alumni ages 15-24
Speakers Bureau
FFCA members share lived experience for youth, child welfare staff, caregivers, and legal parties.
Laptops
We match laptops with foster youth throughout Alaska.
Basic Needs
We provide foster youth and alumni with direct funding support for housing, food transportation, education, and medical care and basic needs.
Request an FFCA Speaker
FFCA members trained in Strategic Sharing, share lived-expertise through training of child welfare staff, caregivers, legal parties, and the community. Members are excellent on panels or as guest speakers at conferences and meetings. Complete the form to request an appearance from the FFCA Speaker Bureau.
Youth Grievance Procedure
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Peer Support Referral
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