Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Alaska
Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 7, § 50.750; Res. Fam. Handbook, Ch. 2
The residential care facility shall explain to an adolescent mother each of the following, as appropriate:
- The benefits of the mother's establishing paternity for her infant, her options for establishing paternity, and how paternity may be established
- How to deal with future questions the mother's child may have about the child's father
- How the mother may manage visitation arrangements between her child and the child's father
- That the mother's decision concerning establishment of paternity is not a condition for her remaining in the facility
An explanation required by this section may be provided by a child placement agency working with the adolescent.
If the facility knows the identity of the father of the adolescent's child, with the agreement of the child's mother, the facility shall attempt at least two contacts with the father no later than 2 months after admission of the adolescent to the facility to discuss his involvement with the child.
A facility shall allow the expectant fathers and the fathers of the children who are residing in the facility to attend parenting classes provided by the facility.
In policy: A resource family may not unduly influence or dictate what actions a pregnant teen may make regarding the planning for the pregnancy and decisions to parent the child or place the child for adoption. These decisions are solely for the teen parents to make.
Placement Options
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 7, § 50.645; Res. Fam. Handbook, Ch. 2
A residential care facility may not advertise or represent that it specializes in care for pregnant and parenting adolescents without a specialization in care for pregnant and parenting adolescents approved by the department.
A residential care facility that specializes in care for pregnant and parenting adolescents shall meet the requirements of this section and the requirements of 7 AAC 50.700 — 7 AAC 50.790. The facility may provide care for pregnant and parenting adolescents in combination with other residential child care provided the facility, subject to the following requirements:
- It is licensed as a residential child care facility specializing in care of pregnant and parenting adolescents, rather than a maternity home.
- It provides separate programs for each type of care.
- It minimizes exposure of infants to illness or behavioral problems of children in care.
In this section, 'care for pregnant and parenting adolescents' means care for pregnant adolescents, before or after the adolescent gives birth, or care as needed to adolescent mothers and their children.
In policy: If a resource parent suspects a child in his or her care might be pregnant, he or she must notify the assigned worker on the first working day after becoming aware of the situation. The assigned worker is responsible for helping pregnant teens in custody obtain proper prenatal care and counseling. This includes helping them explore all the options available to them during and after their pregnancy. The teen may stay in care of the resource family if the family is willing to adjust to the needed changes in the treatment plan.
Health Services
Citation: AK Stat. § 47.40.100; Admin. Code §§ 50.730; 50.770
The Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services shall pay within each department's respective appropriation the cost of prenatal services which are not available from an existing State or Federal program other than medical services for a pregnant woman experiencing social and economic difficulties, including the costs of transportation to and from a maternity home or a foster home, counseling, adoption assistance, maternity home and foster home care, and parenting skills.
In regulation: A facility shall require an expectant mother who is admitted to the facility to have a complete medical examination, including obstetrical information and findings, no later than 1 week after her admission. The facility shall compile a family medical history on the expectant mother and, if available, the father.
A facility shall ensure the following:
- That each expectant mother is under the medical supervision of a licensed physician
- That periodic examinations and laboratory tests recommended by a physician are performed according to standards of good prenatal care
- That a pregnant adolescent who is admitted earlier than 60 days before delivery shall receive comprehensive prenatal care, including regular visits to an obstetrician or certified nurse midwife
- That background medical information on the pregnant adolescent is provided to the hospital or birthing center that is selected as the location of the baby's delivery
A facility shall arrange to have a staff member, family member, or volunteer accompany an expectant mother to the hospital or birthing center when she is ready to deliver and remain with the expectant mother until health-care personnel are assigned to her. Following delivery, a facility shall ensure a mother receives medical and nursing supervision and is allowed an adequate period for recovery.
A facility providing care and services to an adolescent and her infant or other young child within the facility after childbirth shall ensure the following:
- That mothers follow the early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment schedule of the department's Division of Public Health in obtaining health care for infants
- That a practicing physician makes a postnatal examination of the mother and the infant or that an appointment is made for the examinations before their discharge from the facility
Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 7, § 50.740(a)
A facility must have a planned program to care for pregnant and parenting individuals. The plan must provide for the following:
- Preparation for delivery of the baby, including childbirth classes
- Assistance in decision-making in relation to the child, including referral to a placement agency for addressing the following:
- Adoption counseling for a mother planning to relinquish the mother's parental rights
- Legal rights and obligations in relation to parenthood or relinquishment of parental rights
- Help to the mother with family, peers, and other significant relationships, including paternal involvement
- Parenting education for mothers keeping their babies
- Infant stimulation and child development, where applicable
- Health education, prenatal care, and where applicable, postnatal care
- Physical care of pregnant and parenting individuals and care and services to mothers and their infants within the facility after childbirth, where applicable
- Socialization and support opportunities for single mothers, when applicable
Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 7, § 50.760
A facility must have a curriculum or guidelines for providing parenting education. The curriculum or guidelines must include the following:
- Personal growth and maturity
- Interpersonal relationships
- Infant and early child development, including age-appropriate stimulation and activities for infants and toddlers, managing behavior, and options for toilet training
- Safety and accident prevention
- Physical care, nutrition, and health of infants and young children
- Time, budget, and household management
- Community resources that provide assistance
- Selecting and monitoring care of the child by others
A facility shall provide parenting education on these topics to each adolescent expectant mother or mother of an infant at least 1 hour per week. A facility that provides short-term prematernal care shall provide opportunities for parenting education on the topics listed in this section at least 1 hour per week.
Economic and Concrete Supports
Citation: Admin. Code Tit. 7, §§ 50.730; 50.760(d)
A facility shall involve a pregnant or parenting adolescent in shopping for her child's clothes and other necessities.
If an adolescent expresses interest in surrendering her infant for adoption, the facility shall do the following:
- Provide the adolescent with an initial explanation of the implications and process of adoption
- Notify the adolescent's placement worker, if applicable
- Notify the adolescent's parent, if applicable
- Offer the adolescent information on child placement agencies
Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.
Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.