Family CARE Court (FCC) - Anchorage

What is the FCC?

The FCC is a civil Court for Child in Need of Aid cases (CINA) where a child has been removed or is at risk of being removed from their home as a result of the parent(s) alcohol and/or drug use.

What is the purpose of the FCC?

The court's mission is to prevent the break up of families by combining intensive judicial supervision and monitoring with immediate and culturally appropriate treatment and the coordinated delivery of assessments and services; to work with participants to break the cycle of addiction and build a better life for themselves and their children.

Who is eligible?

A parent(s) who has a CINA case, has an identified substance abuse problem, is motivated to achieve a lifetime of sobriety, provide a safe home for their child(ren) and is willing to participate, immediately, in intensive monitoring and structured program.

Admission to the FCC is voluntary and referrals to the court are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

How does the FCC work?

The FCC program is an intensive program that requires commitment and honesty. Once a parent(s) has been accepted and has "opted-in", she/he will be expected to following the basic structure of the FCC:

• The OCS FCC social worker assigned will help assess your needs and assist you through the court process.
• You will quickly be linked to an appropriate treatment program, parenting skills program and any other services you need.
• You will be linked to health care, educational and vocational training and other services.
• You will get ongoing support and assistance in staying connected to your child(ren) while they are placed out of the home.
• As you establish sobriety and become more stable in treatment, the Judge will consider increased visitation with your child(ren).
• You will get ongoing support if you have problems getting or staying clean.
• You can participate in special support groups with other parents going through the same things you are going through.

How do you get referred to the FCC?

All referrals are made to the Office of Children's Services (OCS) and may come from a variety of sources once participants express interest in joining the FCC. Every potential participant is expected to observe the proceedings of the court prior to their "opt-in". Each prospective case will be reviewed and screened by the OCS social worker who is a member of the FCC team. All possible collateral information necessary to make an informed decision about the case will be gathered and brought to the full FCC team and staffed. A decision will be made as quickly as possible to accept or deny a case. If the case is accepted, the parent(s) will be notified as soon as possible and will schedule a meeting with the social worker to complete an intake and update their case plan. They will also be advised to attend the next court session to formally "opt-in" to the FCC.

The OCS social worker for the FCC can be contacted at 907 269-3917.

Contact Information

The FCC meets on Tuesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. in the Nesbett Courthouse, Room 403. Judge Mark Rindner presides.

Anyone wanting to observe court is welcome and will be asked to sign a confidentiality pledge. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Project Coordinator at 907 264-0466 or by e mail at twallette@courts.state.ak.us.

If you are interested in observing court, please call to confirm that court in being held on its regularly scheduled day. The number to call is 907 264-0466.

Rev. 16 August 2006 © Alaska Court System www.courts.alaska.gov webmaster@courts.state.ak.us

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