Some foster children are eligible to receive Social Security benefits, but the kids and their families don’t always know the money is available. Instead, the state applies for the benefits and puts the funds toward paying for foster care services. Now a lawsuit is asking if the state needs to notify families and guardians before it starts taking the money.
Family
Study shows rise in some prenatal exposure to opiates
A new study from a Alaskan epidemiologist looks at infants who were exposed to opiates before birth. Unlike previous studies, it goes beyond the sharp rise in cases for a portion of the population to explore what happens next.
Mat-Su homeschool program offers families variety in education options
Mat-Su Central is the homeschool program for the Mat-Su Borough School District and has just over 1600 students this year.
Alaska Pioneer Homes escape state budget cuts, for now
When the Alaska Legislature convenes later this month, it will consider a budget that makes no further cuts to Alaska’s Pioneer Homes.
Nome-based non-profit hopes to revitalize Inupiaq with ‘language nest’
Coming to the region at the start of the new year is a “nest” project focused on Inupiaq language revitalization. A Nome-based non-profit organization called Inuusiq Inc., which started up this year, is spearheading the project.
Ikea to pay $50 million over 3 toddler deaths from dresser tip-overs
Unsecured MALM dressers, prone to tipping over, killed three children in three years. A wrongful death suit has been settled, lawyers for the families say; Ikea confirmed a “tentative” agreement.