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Resources and Links

Two youth pick berries. One youth holds a child on her back.
You'll find great ideas for building life skills, important documents about the Independent Living Program, links to other Independent Living sites, and all the technical information on OCS Policies and Procedures for the program.

  • Case Family ProgramsThe Casey Life Skills Assessment

    An excellent online assessment for both the youth and the caregiver or caseworker. The survey has assessments available for youth ages 8 through 19. The assessments help measures life skills in several different areas and compares the youth's assessment of skill to the caregiver/caseworker assessment. A great tool for developing a person-centered independent living plan!

  • NRCYSNational Resources Center for Youth Development

    This group collaborates with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide resources and technical assistance. Check out their online library.

  • CWLAChild Welfare League of America

    This group was key in getting the Independence Act passed. The have good resources and program materials.


  • Alaska center for Resource FamiliesAlaska Resource Family Center

    Alaska Center for Resources Families (ACRF) was established to provide training, support, and information to Alaska licensed foster and adoptive parents. ACRF offers a variety of educational opportunities, on-site and distance delivery programs, for families who are wishing to become foster or adoptive parents and on-going training to meet the State of Alaska requirement for foster parents. ACRF has qualified staff in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau who conducts training, provides support and are available to answer questions. For families living in other areas, ACRF provides rural onsite training and telephonic support.

  • FFCA Facing Foster Care in AlaskaFacing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA)

    Staff group photo on Alaska Capital Steps OCS Independent Living Program partners with FFCA empowering youth to access resources to successfully transition to adulthood. FFCA is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the foster care system, developing leadership skills among current and former foster youth ages 15-24, and creating a network of peer support for foster youth throughout the state.

    FFCA provides foster youth an opportunity to share their personal experiences about life in foster care to raise community awareness, educate child welfare staff, and government officials, and educate foster youth throughout the state about their rights and resources.

    Youth also have an opportunity to hold a position on the Youth Leadership Board, to represent their region of the state. Foster youth 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. To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit FFCA’s website.

  • SYNCBig Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska – SYNC program

    Sync is a mentorship program though Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska. The program pairs foster care youth discovering their independence with adult role models in the community. Sync gives youth the opportunity to try new things, learn career-building skills, and have a friend that can provide advice and guidance. Youth ages 14-21 that are in care or transitioned out are eligible. To find out more information please visit them on Facebook at SyncBBBSAK or give Sharon Pruszko a call at 907-433-4691.

Job Links

A man smiles behind a meat counterJob Corps and Serve Alaska Youth Corps both offer a chance to gain valuable real-work experience and get paid to do it! They offer a couple of different programs, but most will provide a place to live while you learn a job. You may also get the chance to travel to different places in Alaska and have a lot of fun!