SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has introduced new legislation aimed at making it easier for military families to participate in foster care programs. The proposed bill would establish foster care liaison officers within existing Department of Defense (DOD) programs to help increase awareness and participation among service members.

Military families often encounter obstacles when trying to foster or adopt children, including limited resources, a lack of centralized support, and varying state regulations. These barriers can discourage otherwise willing families from pursuing fostering or adoption.

Sullivan highlighted the unique qualities that make military personnel suitable as foster parents. “Our men and women in uniform are, by the very nature of their calling, selfless and service-oriented, which is why they make such ideal foster parents and mentors to young people,” said Sen. Sullivan. He also noted the urgent need for more foster parents nationwide and especially in Alaska. “Our country, and Alaska in particular, is in serious need of foster parents, but regulatory barriers, the challenge of duty station changes, and a general lack of awareness often prevent military service members from taking advantage of adoption and fostering opportunities. Today, I’m introducing legislation today to help our military families understand and navigate complex foster programs and to give our foster youth greater access to stable, loving families that can put them on a path to success when they become adults.”

The bill would use current DOD infrastructure to create positions dedicated to guiding military families through the complicated process of fostering across different states.