NCJFCJ in the State of Alaska
ALASKA
In 2024, the NCJFCJ’s work impacted approximately 4 million families across the nation. Our publications amassed over 94,000 views, the team fulfilled over 150 requests for technical assistance, and trained over 15,000 judges, judicial officers, attorneys, and other juvenile and family-court related professionals across the nation.
As part of the Implementation Sites Project, the NCJFCJ provides targeted training and technical assistance to the Fourth Judicial District Court in Fairbanks to improve practice in the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, reduce the number of children in foster care, and improve outcomes for families.
Alaska judicial system professionals participated in the NCJFCJ’s Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI). The CANI brought together a group of expert judicial faculty and subject matter experts to engage participants through instruction, case scenarios, and other active learning strategies. Some of the core topics of CANI include: the leadership role of the judge in child abuse and neglect cases; a review of federal laws and policies that drive the child abuse and neglect process; the Indian Child Welfare Act; reasonable efforts in judicial decision making; judicial ethics; and emerging issues in child welfare.
Three judicial officers from Alaska attended the 2024 Institute for New Juvenile and Family Court Judges. The Institute is designed specifically for state and tribal judicial officers who are new to the bench, newly assigned to a juvenile or family rotation, or who are returning to the juvenile and family court bench after other assignments and desire a refresher course. This intensive and interactive four and a half day program, previously known as Core College, is designed so participants can leave with increased knowledge, practical tools, and an essential foundation of best practices to use in the cases coming before them.
The NCJFCJ conducted a training on Early Pre-Court Legal Advocacy to the Fourth Judicial District in Fairbanks. This event provided training to judges and attorneys on various models of pre-petition legal advocacy for parents in child abuse and neglect cases and how to implement them.
Judges and justice system professionals from Alaska received specialized child welfare, domestic violence, and juvenile justice training on current and cutting-edge topics and research during the NCJFCJ’s Annual Conference and National Conference on Juvenile Justice.
