WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Every day, there is a new story to tell about Alaska’s children, youth, and families.
Convening to Blaze a Trail for Trauma-Informed Care
This is an excerpted impact story from our Annual Report. Joining together with like-minded organizations across Alaska “not only gave us a good gauge of where we were at in our trauma-informed efforts, but it also provided a space for us to share ideas,” says Cayla Pook of Youth Advocates of Sitka.
Catalyzing Change through Culturally Based Parenting
This is an excerpted impact story from our Annual Report. “It starts here, it starts now.” Those were the words of a parent finishing Iñupiaq culture-based parenting classes. The classes are hosted by the Maniilaq Association and focus on reintegrating traditional Illitqusait values and family roles into parenting through a program funded, in part, by Alaska Children’s Trust.
Advocating for Early Childhood Education
This is an excerpted impact story from our Annual Report. Cora and Brianna are two children alike in many ways: both 3-year-old, smiley, responsive toddlers starting to grasp potty training and other key developmental milestones, both immensely loved – but with different situations in life.
It’s time to change how we measure Alaska’s successes and failures
Price per barrel of oil. Size of the PFD. Number of natural resource development projects. Our metrics of Alaska’s well-being as a state revolve around economic outcomes – not how our children and families are doing. We need to expand the framework in which we measure our well-being as a state.
People Can't Change- And Yet, These Fathers Are
The Fatherhood is Sacred program focuses on redefining fatherhood and bringing traditional roles back for Sitka’s fathers, grandfathers, and uncles. The Fatherhood is Sacred program is a nationwide effort to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of responsible fathers through Native American and Alaska Native values. The curriculum speaks to “an immediate need to bring men back to strengthen families— they are the greatest untapped resource”.
Vaccinating our Children: Youth Perspectives and a Pediatrician’s Professional Opinion
BREAKING: On Monday, May 10, the FDA cleared the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine for children ages 12-15.
Pregnant During a Pandemic- Interview with a New Mom
Anna McGovern is an employee at Alaska Children’s Trust who gave birth to her second son, Brooks, this winter. Anna graciously took time to sit down and discuss her experience giving birth in the midst of a pandemic as well as actionable tools for friends and family as they support new moms and pregnant moms in Alaska.
This Mother's Day We're Celebrating Women Who Shape Us
This Mother's Day, Alaska Children's Trust is taking time to celebrate all of the Women Who Shape Us- the moms, aunties, wives, sisters, teachers, coaches who have had a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. Here are some of the stories we collected from supporters, staff, and friends about the women who helped shape them.
History & Hope is making change in Alaska - Evaluating our Program
History & Hope is making change in Alaska. This revolutionary training teaches the audience about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and gives participants the tools to help conquer and move past them.
Dare to be the One to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect
Children hold the greatest potential of ensuring the strongest future for Alaska and as stewards of children, adults have a shared obligation to foster and protect them. This means ensuring families gain the knowledge, skills, supports and resources they need to create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children.
3 New Board Members Join Alaska Children's Trust
Meet the three new members of the ACT board: Joel, Montean, and R.C.
Supporting Asian Americans in Alaska - will you join us?
“A year ago, Asian Americans across the United States were calling for allies, for fear that a surge of hate would follow the continuous flippantly racist remarks being made in the media about COVID-19. We all saw this coming”
Dept. of Health and Social Services Bifurcation Discussion
Watch the recording of a meeting between Alaska Children's Trust, an array of partners from across Alaska, and Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Commissioner Adam Crum to learn more about the proposed bifurcation/restructuring of DHSS into two separate departments.
Helping your Child Navigate a School Year Altered by the Pandemic
This school year has looked different across our state, with some schools open, some fully virtual, and others a bit of both. No matter how your child is learning, it is likely that you, as a parent, have been left with unanswered questions about how to navigate this new terrain.
Watch the Anchorage Children and Families Mayoral Candidate Forum
Alaska Children’s Trust and nearly 20 partners joined together for this virtual mayoral forum where candidates discussed their perspectives and plans on topics that affect Anchorage’s children and families, including high-quality education, family economic security, gender pay equity, and more.
Join us in Making Kindness the Norm
Alaska is starting to get lighter and lighter, and it's not just the sun setting later everyday that is causing the change. Hope that a brighter future and a return to a level of normalcy is coming soon is ever-present in conversation as Alaska makes strides to vaccinate members of our community. Nevertheless, we could all still use a good boost in morale! Join us in brightening someone's day by celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day today.
Subsistence Living Can Help Raise Strong Children
Growing up, Kayla Gilbert was introduced to subsistence living from infancy in rural Alaska, as a child of the Copper River Valley. Fast forward 30 years and she is raising her family of 8 in the same way in Tazlina, Alaska.
National Day of Racial Healing statement
At Alaska Children’s Trust, we are rooted in the unequivocal belief that every child deserves to grow up in a healthy and safe environment. Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect for all children, and our work is intrinsically tied to achieving racial equity for the children of Alaska. Racism has a powerful and lasting effect on the lives of children, their families, and their communities. We are here to fight for equality, dismantle systems of oppression, and demand action, but we are also here to listen and create a safe and courageous space.
Choosing the Right Babysitter in a COVID-19 World
These days, more and more families are having to seek alternative methods for childcare. With COVID-19 limiting childcare and afterschool programs, and amid concerns of children being exposed to the virus, more families are relying on individuals within their safety bubble to babysit. If you are considering hiring a babysitter, here are some basic items to consider to ensure the safety of your children
Alaska Children's Trust Holiday Video
The Alaska Children's Trust Family would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for your support, partnership, and generosity over the year.