(Revision. 2/1/14)
AS 47.06.010 Duties of Department
AS 47.06.020 Purpose and Policy Relating to Children
AS 47.10 Children in Need of Aid
To provide an overview of how Office of Children’s Services (OCS) child protective services policy is developed and organized.
OCS is required to establish policy as needed for carrying out their duties that are established by state law and for administering federal programs subject to state control.
The director will ensure that the field service operational manual of OCS policies and procedures for child protection is consistent with State and Federal law, Alaska Administrative Code and Alaska Rules of the Court. The manual has statewide application, and will be distributed to all OCS staff. The manual format will be that prescribed by the director. Policies and procedures in the manual are effective on the date of issuance.
The individual policies and procedures contained in the manual will be reviewed and updated as necessary to keep the manual in compliance with statutes and regulations and consistent with best practice. The process for revising policies and procedures will include opportunities for OCS staff to review drafts and provide comments. All revisions must be approved by the director.
The policies and procedures delineated in the manual shall be followed by all field staff. The manual provides both the general and specific framework within which services shall be provided. It is recognized, however, that the nature of some specific cases may require variation from established procedures to provide services consistent with the intent of AS 47. In such instances, staff will seek and follow the guidance provided by the Protective Services Manager (PSM) II or designee.