Alaska Children's Services

Our Mission

Based on the spirit of Christ’s love, Alaska Children’s Services provides quality care and treatment for children and families who need special assistance to develop self-esteem and the ability to live in harmony with others.

The SPIRIT of ACS (core values)

Effective collaboration and mutual support among all employees are the keys to the success of Alaska Children’s Services. To fulfill our mission, decisions and actions must be based on certain key values and guiding principles.

Students – We provide therapeutically sound, cost-effective services with treatment decisions driven by the needs of students and families.

Positive – We provide a safe, nurturing environment that promotes growth for students, families and staff.

Integrity – Our daily decisions are made with honesty, compassion and concern for students, families and each other.

Respect – We recognize individual efforts and contributions to our success. We ensure students, families and staff are treated with dignity and respect.

Innovation – We provide services through creative, solution-focused problem solving. Personal growth is a lifelong process fostering innovation and creativity.

Teamwork – Communication and mutual accountability are hallmarks of our teamwork. We rely upon each other and the community to be successful.

The Treatment Principles of ACS

Family Treatment Principles
Families are welcomed into treatment with respect for their unique culture, strengths and challenges.
Families carry important knowledge of their children and have a shared responsibility in the treatment process.

Student-Focused Treatment Principles
Each child we treat is a unique, valuable and developing person.
We believe that students are motivated toward wholeness and health, therefore there is purpose and meaning in their behavior.

Staff Treatment Principles
Staff believe that every child and family has a chance for a positive outcome.
Staff respect each student and family’s motivation and readiness to change.
Staff recognize that their own perceptions and values influence treatment and respect and challenge themselves and each other to provide the best service possible.
Staff strive to understand the need and purpose of complex student behavior.

Therapy-Specific Treatment Principles
Therapeutic change occurs within the context of trusting and empathetic relationships.
The therapeutic environment provides the physical and psychological safety necessary for the development of trust.
Assessment and treatment planning are ongoing, collaborative processes that are holistic and strength based.
Growth and change is a non-linear process of learning characterized by positive risk taking, setbacks and successes.