Cook Inlet Tribal Council gets $262,483 federal grant for Anchorage parenting program

Cook Inlet Tribal Council has a new federal child abuse prevention grant to expand Parent's Journey, the parenting program it has run in Anchorage for 20 years. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families awarded the project grant for Parent's Journey - Growing Stronger Together. The award runs from Sept. 30, 2026, through Sept. 29, 2031, according to the federal award record, which shows $262,483 obligated so far. The record does not say whether more will follow in later years. The money comes from the agency's Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants program.

Native children made up 66% of children in out-of-home care at the state's Anchorage regional office for the 12 months ending in March 2026, according to Cook Inlet Tribal Council's grant application. Out-of-home care means foster care or another placement away from a child's parents. Native children are roughly 19% of Anchorage residents under 18, the application said. Anchorage is home to 38,671 Native people, the application noted.

The grant would operate, expand and enhance the program, which aims to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect before harm occurs. Over the five years, the council plans parenting education classes. It also plans outreach to community partners to widen where referrals come from. The plan includes informal family engagement activities as well. The classes would use the Parenting Journey curriculum, the record says.

The application also cites statewide numbers. Alaska's child victim rate is 13.0 per 1,000 children, which the application describes as well above the national average. The rate counts children confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect. Statewide, 70% of children in out-of-home care in March 2026 were Native. Native children are roughly 28% of Alaskans under 18.

The council, founded in 1983, serves more than 12,000 people a year, according to its website. A federal Administration for Children and Families publication lists it as a tribal home-visiting grantee since 2016.

Families can reach the council's Family Wellness department at 907-793-3132 or [email protected]. Its Family Wellness page says crisis and reunification services require a referral from the Office of Children's Services.

The award record does not say when the first classes under the grant will begin.