Childcare & family

North Slope Borough Children & Youth Services provides emergency shelter for youth under 18. The 14-bed facility at 2000 Ahkovak Street, Utqiaġvik is staffed 24/7, with mental health professionals available to youth and their families. Call CYS about placement and current availability.

family travel when a relative is critically ill

funeral travel and housing help

minimum burial expenses for an indigent tribal member

To open a child-support case, get payments enforced, or check your case, use the Alaska Child Support Services Division: 907-269-6900 (Anchorage main office, 550 W 7th Ave Suite 310; fax 907-787-3220). Members use the online Client Portal (not myAlaska any more) at childsupport.alaska.gov to see case info and make payments; call customer service if you do not have your ID numbers. Tribal members can also ask the Native Village of Barrow Tribal Court (907-852-8918) about tribal child-welfare matters, but child-support collection is a state CSSD function.

help paying for child care

be paid to care for up to 4 related children

be paid to care for up to 4 non-relative children

Every summer Iḷisaġvik College runs free camps for young people: overnight camps in the college dorms (high-school camps open to students from all over Alaska, with travel usually paid for students outside Utqiaġvik; middle-school overnight camps for Utqiaġvik students) and day camps for Utqiaġvik residents. Camps explore careers and are steeped in Iñupiaq culture — 2026 offerings included a Dog Mushing camp (May 30–June 6) and others listed on the page. Applications open in spring; the 2026 deadline was May 2. Apply online from ilisagvik.edu/summer-camps or call 907-852-3333.

The City of Utqiaġvik's Recreation Department runs the Little Dribblers youth basketball program at Piuraaġvik each season. Registration forms and the season calendar (2026 posted) are on utqiagvik.us/forms; turn forms in at Piuraaġvik Recreation Center, 2026 Ahkovak St, or call 907-852-2514 (recreation@utqiagvik.us) for ages, fees and practice times. Other youth sports and open-gym times are posted on the City's Facebook page.

become a licensed tribal foster parent. renew a tribal foster license

NVB Social Services supports tribal children and families and has a Victim Advocate for crime victims. For immediate danger call 911; child abuse or neglect can be reported to State OCS at 1-800-478-4444.

Contact the NVB Tribal Court about child welfare, adoption, guardianship and juvenile services. The clerk can explain which court processes apply to your situation.

The City Clerk handles the burial permit and cemetery tool agreement for Utqiaġvik. The linked packet includes both forms and the City’s instructions.

AWIC is the North Slope Borough's safe shelter and crisis service for women, elders and children experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault. 24/7 crisis line: 1-800-478-0267. Main line: 907-852-0261. AWIC offers emergency shelter and safety planning, advocacy and help with restraining orders and legal services, support groups, and food boxes and basic needs — including emergency food boxes and diapers that AWIC will send to clients in the villages on request (call 907-852-0261). AWIC is open to all residents and keeps confidentiality and safety as its top priority. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

ASNA Social Services, 907-852-9379, serves enrolled tribal members from all eight North Slope villages no matter where they live. Programs: Burial Assistance (funeral costs when the estate cannot cover them — call for eligibility screening; villages also run their own burial programs); Emergency Assistance (limited money after a fire, flood or similar loss, as a secondary resource); General Assistance (food, shelter, utilities or clothing — call for an initial screening); Higher Education, Job Placement and Vocational Training (scholarships and job-skills training); and the Family Preservation & Child Welfare Program (parenting resources, rental assistance, cribs, winter gear, car seats, food and more for families with an open OCS or tribal case or in crisis — members of seven villages; Native Village of Barrow runs its own Family Preservation program from 10/1/2025). ASNA main line: 907-852-2762. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

ASNA's Tribal Child Care Program helps make child care more affordable and accessible on the North Slope. It serves all eight villages, for parents who are working, in training or education, self-employed, or engaged in subsistence. Providers must meet training and safety requirements, and the program also supports people interested in becoming child-care providers. Call 907-852-9376 or email childcare@arcticslope.org. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

ASNA's Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Program protects tribal families by advocating for Native children in state or tribal custody proceedings, working with courts, families and case workers toward customary adoption, kinship placement and reunification so children stay with their families and culture whenever possible. You do not need to apply — ASNA is automatically notified by the state or court. Call 907-852-2762 or email icwa@arcticslope.org. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

ICAS Community Services, 907-852-4227, runs a Homemaker Program in Point Lay and Anaktuvuk Pass — in-home help with household tasks, personal care and daily living so people can stay healthy and safe at home. In Point Lay, ICAS also helps families involved in Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) cases connect with their tribe or the State, coordinate documents and keep children connected to culture and extended family. ICAS also offers grief groups, cultural connection groups and veterans' services. Even in a small village, ICAS services can often be reached by phone or virtual appointment — call Community Services to ask what is available to you. Website: www.inupiatgov.com. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

Putyuk Children's Home is Maniilaq Association's therapeutic home offering emergency stabilization and assessment (Level II ESA) for children and teens ages 0–18, mainly youth referred by the Office of Children's Services (OCS) or the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). It has nine beds, one reserved for respite care. Call 907-442-7582. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

Adult Protective Services is a statewide State of Alaska line, not a North Slope office. Call 1-800-478-9996 to report abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult or elder. If someone is in immediate danger call 911; NSB Police non-emergency is 907-852-6111. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

The Office of Children's Services is a State of Alaska agency; its Fairbanks office also supports North Slope families. To report child abuse or neglect call the statewide hotline 1-800-478-4444 or the local Utqiaġvik OCS line 907-852-3397. The Fairbanks OCS office takes reports at 907-451-2650 or 1-800-353-2650, or by email at reportchildabuse@alaska.gov. If a child is in immediate danger call 911. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

The ADRC is a Fairbanks-based statewide resource, not a North Slope office. It helps seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities find long-term services and supports — transportation, home modifications, meals and care planning. Call 907-452-2551. Locally, the NSB Senior Program (907-852-0276) serves elders 60+ and ICAS Community Services (907-852-4227) runs a Homemaker Program in Point Lay and Anaktuvuk Pass. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

These are Anchorage and Fairbanks advocacy organizations, not North Slope offices. Alaska CARES, the child-abuse program of The Children's Hospital at Providence in Anchorage: 907-561-8301. Resource Center for Parents and Children — Stevie's Place Child Advocacy Center (Fairbanks): 907-374-2850 or 907-456-2866. Alaska Youth Advocates (Anchorage): 907-929-2633, www.akyouthadvocates.org. Fairbanks Youth Advocates: 907-374-5678. Advocacy Services of Alaska (Fairbanks): 907-458-8222. To report abuse of a child call OCS at 1-800-478-4444; locally, Children & Youth Services is 907-852-0263. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

The North Slope Borough School District pathway when a student needs support. Step 1: A student, parent or staff member becomes aware a student needs support. However it is disclosed, the school administrator or guidance counselor is notified and coordinates with the District's Student Services Team. Step 2: The first responding staff make sure the student is immediately safe, for themself and others. If in immediate danger, the school calls first responders (911), who may screen, transport and provide immediate medical intervention. Step 3: The Student Services Team partners with the student's parents or guardians to create a plan. They reach out to the student, then contact the guardian to come to the school. Step 4: The team decides with the student and guardian whether a behavioral health connection is needed. If not, they create a Safety Plan for home and school. If yes, they review the options together. Step 5: If needed, the school connects the family to IBH (NSB Integrated Behavioral Health, 907-852-0366): initial connection, student assessment, and assignment to a provider. If the guardian completes a Release of Information (ROI), the District team keeps monitoring and makes additional connections. Step 6: The District team keeps following up, checking in and reassessing the student's status and needs, helping the family, holding sessions with the student as needed, and updating the care plan. NSBSD Student Services: 907-852-9651. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

Iñupiaq values and teachings hold deep wisdom for keeping individuals and communities well. Whether it is through time on the land, connecting with Elders, practicing subsistence, or embracing cultural values like aviktuaqatigiigñiq (sharing with others), these traditions support strong minds and hearts. The NSB Health & Social Services wellness guide lists examples of Iñupiaq wellness practices: spending time outside on the tundra or sea ice; preparing traditional foods with family; sewing, beading or carving; attending cultural events, singing, dance or drumming; storytelling with Elders; teaching youth how to be safe, skilled and respectful hunters; practicing forgiveness and gratitude; and fishing, hunting and subsistence activities. Sometimes the best way to care for our emotional health is through expression, reflection and connection with traditions, on your own, with family, or as part of a healing journey. For parents and families, the guide describes the Positive Indian Parenting curriculum, which reconnects Native families with traditional child-rearing practices, blending timeless cultural teachings with modern parenting challenges to nurture strong families, preserve traditions and empower future generations. The guide also notes that the North Slope Borough School District grounds student wellness in Iluaġniq, balancing the physical, spiritual, social, cultural and emotional domains of the whole child through Iñupiaq values. (Source: North Slope Borough Health & Social Services resource guide.)

Child Care Assistance helps eligible families pay for care. PASS I families work with their ATAP work caseworker; PASS IV families work with their OCS caseworker. PASS II and III applicants can use the CC08 application and contact Northern region thread for assistance.

The Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) is Alaska's version of TANF — monthly cash assistance plus work and job support for low-income families that include a child under 19 or a pregnant member. Besides the cash benefit, it can help with work-related costs like transportation, car repairs, a driver's license, interview clothing, and tools or equipment for a job. To qualify you must be an Alaska resident, a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, have countable resources under $2,000 ($3,000 if someone is 60 or older), and meet the income limit for your family size. Apply online through the Alaska Connect Portal or with a paper application to your local Division of Public Assistance office (statewide DPA line 800-478-7778); a caseworker then sets up an eligibility interview.

Emergency, medical travel, rent/mortgage, appliances, elder, landline & bereavement aid for NVB tribal members — application PDFs.