Safe children, strong families

About Us

The State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services (DHSS), Office of Children's Services (OCS) strongly supports the Indian Child Welfare (ICWA) and continues to build federal ICWA mandates into all levels of OCS Child Welfare. We continue to develop postive collaborative and communicative partnerships with all Native organizations and Alaska Native Tribal organizations.

 

Current Events

As of January/2012, Saint Paul Island is no longer under resolution agreement with Aleutian Pribilof Island Association (APIA). St Paul will now be handling all of their child welfare matters directly. All inquiries with youth or family related to St. Paul island should be directed to:

  • Charlene J. Naulty,  DVSA & Family Programs Manager
    St. Paul Island: P.O. Box 86 | St. Paul Island | Alaska | 99660 
    Anchorage Office: 460 W. Tudor Rd., Suite 102 | Anchorage | AK | 99503-6614
    Cell 907.982-2103 | FX 907.546.3452
    | PH 907.546.3240 | cjnaulty@tgspi.com

  • Secondary contact:
    Ozzy E. Escarate, HHS Director
    St. Paul Island: P.O. Box 86 | St. Paul Island
    | Alaska | 99660 
    Anchorage Office: 460 W. Tudor Rd., Suite 102 | Anchorage | AK | 99503-6614
    Cell 907.230.8406 | FX 907.546.3452 |
    PH 907.546.3240 | oeescarate@tgspi.com

  • ICWA worker:
    Emily Melovidov, Unganan Child Welfare Caseworker
    St. Paul Island: P.O. Box 86 | St. Paul Island | Alaska | 99660 | FX 907.546.3452 |  PH 907.546.3242 | emmelovidov@tgspi.com

If you are interested in receiving a copy of information on Protective Capacity Assessment (PCA) training, please send a request for the informational DVD to Dennis Swain via email to dennis.swain@alaska.gov.

All tribal representatives or native organizations with concerns or questions about a particular family may direct their concerns using the approved Tribal State communication flow chart: “ICWA concerns flow chart”.

 

Celebrating Success

The State of Alaska and Alaska Native tribes have been working on relationship building for many years. Along with the many obstacles that need to be maneuvered through there are identified positive outcomes to these partnerships and collaborations. This section will identify stories “Celebrating Success” in those areas:

One of OCS’ Guiding Principles is, “needs partnerships within the community and stakeholders to achieve strong outcomes for children and families.” The Northern Region Licensing Unit has wholeheartedly embraced the Principle.

Throughout the past year the partnerships forged with Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is solid and ongoing. Annually TCC partners with the Licensing staff for the two annual foster parent appreciation events: the annual Holiday Party, and the Summertime Picnic.

Tanana Chiefs Conference has collaborated with OCS on two recruitment activities:  Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, and Tanana Chiefs Convention. The OCS Licensing staff work the recruitment events with Tanana Chiefs. Both organizations licensing units enjoy working with one another and have reported positive results from their joint efforts.

Additionally OCS Licensing staff help with the biannual TFYS worker training hosted by Tanana Chiefs.

Special thanks to Yurii Miller, NRO Licensing Supervisor and staff: Carmen Brooks, Jackie Swart, Linette Torres, Lorita Clough, Patricia Kroehler, and Mike Kazmierczak for all of their efforts.

 

Quick Facts

● American Indian or Alaska Native is identified as one of the categories of race by the Federal government.

● There are 229 federally recognized tribes in Alaska, out of the “Alaska Native” demographic.  There are many more tribes but not federally recognized.

● There are 10 different ethnicities of Alaska Native people identified.(Athabascan, Yup'ik, Cup’ik, Inupiaq, Unangax/Aleut, Alutiiq/Sugpiaq, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian)

● There are many different cultures within each Alaska Native ethnicity.

● There is only one with Federal recognized reservation status in Alaska (Metlakatla).

● There are only two tribes with exclusive jurisdiction in Alaska (Barrow and Chevak).