AABA

Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates

 

index.htm
BoardOfDirectors.htm
History.htm
Announcements.htm
Speakers.htm
RespiteProject.htm
Training.htm
Donations.htm
ResTreatCenters.htm
UsefulLinks.htm
Services.htm
MembershipForm.htm
Newsletter.htm

AABA History

January 1996 to December 2005

One day two mothers (parents) came together to discuss the difficulties each was having in parenting children who had been labeled as having attachment disorders. The idea came about when the mothers decided to use their respective knowledge and resources. One mother came from an educational background while the other mother came from a correctional planning of exercise/crafts/recreation of prison populations. They decided to form an organization where other parents with similar problems and experiences could come and find the much-needed help to cope with these difficult children.

Soon other interested individuals came together and a Board of Directors was established. All board members volunteered their time and talents toward the effort. AABA’s Vision Statement, Mission Statement Policies and Procedures were adopted. On January 12, 1998, Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates (AABA) became the organization’s official name with a 501 (c), (3) status. Currently AABA is comprised of volunteers, professionals and families who come to care for children through kinship care, adoption, guardianship and foster care. We are the only family driven organization of its type in Alaska.

AABA’s area of focus that was adopted:

Prevention – Placement – Treatment – Training

  • keeping children out of foster care is essential for the health of children while developing safe and nurturing family environments.
  • safe and nurturing families are essential for healthy attachments and affect how an individual sees society throughout his/her life.
  • treatment for children of abuse and neglect must address attachment in the 0-3 years of life to be successful. • training professionals from the state level to the community level is a key for understanding system development, creating a more efficient and effective use of money.

AABA is continuing to work toward:

  • POLICY CHANGE: The opportunity to teach legislators and state division personnel about attachment and bonding issues during an annual event. Annual visits to Washington, D.C. have connected AABA members with federal policy and development. Family members also provide testimony at state board meetings.
  • NEWSLETTER: AABA’s newsletter is published bi-monthly and is distributed to parents, social workers, educators, legislators, law and medical personnel. AABA’s statewide mailing list consists of over 503 people and continues to grow.
  • TRAINING: Board members attend national conferences at their own expense. AABA offers speakers at state conferences and other opportunities.
  • STATE AND LOCAL PARTICIPATION: Family members are encouraged to be part of local meetings to promote education.
  • COLLABORATION: Local and National groups AABA affiliates with are:
  1. International Association for Treatment & Training of the Attachment of Children (ATTACh)
  2. The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health (FFCMH), a statewide parent group
  3. PARENTS, Inc
  4. National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) statewide
  5. Mental Health Associates of Alaska
  6. Alaska Young Family Network (AYFN)
  7. Mat-SU Agency Partnership (MAP)
  8. LINKS/Parent Resource Center
  • AABA collaborated with the Division of Foster Care & Adoption, Public Health, Medical Assistance, Mental Health & Disabilities, Foster Parent Training Center and other state agencies.
  • AABA volunteers have attended Special Education Conferences, Early Childhood Conference, Pathways Conference and the Weaving a Circle of Care Conference. These conferences have brought national speakers to Alaska.
  • EDUCATION: Along with AABA’s newsletter, a monthly email distribution of “Something to Think About,” has been effective for the past four years. This communication tool is used to educate people concerning the health of Alaska’s system of care and how the system affects youth and families.
  • SUPPORT: Currently AABA provides phone support and referrals to family members and professionals seeking direction. AABA provides technical assistance to statewide grants for systems of care and has assisted in designing a transition program for youth moving into adulthood. AABA has developed a web site: www.akattachment.org
  • ACTION COMMITTEES: Action committee work meets a volunteer’s personal and professional agenda, as well as supports the mission of the organization. Board members have the opportunity to carry out their interests which include: FAS/FAE (Family-to-Family Mentoring, Youth Independent Living Skills, Out-of-State Residential Treatment Resources and a much needed building of an Alaska Residential Treatment Facility.
  • CONTRIBUTIONS: Much needed support and donations have come form the business community, in addition to board member contributions, as well as several small grants. AABA has been successful in obtaining administrative support through the Older Worker Program.

The evolution of AABA continued in its mission of advocacy and education as a non-profit, volunteer, family-driven organization. By the end of 2003 AABA’s budget was $72,000.00. As 2004 fast approached, AABA realized that to make the progress for the organization, AABA may need to become more service oriented. The needs of youth/families have enormous gaps and AABA will be taking the next year to discuss what piece of the gaps AABA may be able to fill.

AABA’s 2 P’s (Prevention and Placement) and 2 T’s (Treatment and Training) are constantly in the forefront of AABA’s thinking. We have continued to make progress with this work.

  • In the area of prevention AABA has continued to coordinate and cooperate with groups throughout the state who are working towards prevention of attachment disorder.
  • AABA began dialogue in 2003 with several agencies discussing how AABA can assist in placement of Alaska’s children.
  • Treatment has been a primary concern for those families who contact AABA. AABA is still working on a plan for the making of a treatment center in Alaska that will meet the needs of families throughout Alaska. AABA has a clinical therapist who is trained, willing and able to work with these families.
  • In the training area, AABA has increased workshop presentations locally and in the Anchorage area on Attachment Sign & Symptoms and Assessment & Treatment of Attachment Disorders.

Our administrative costs have remained low. The only expense AABA incurred to date has been that of hiring a contracted bookkeeper and web master. The Webmaster maintains the AABA website for a nominal fee. The bookkeeper works between 1-2 hours a month in maintaining AABA records for accountability and provides monthly profit and loss statements along with an annual review of expenses. The volunteer CEO and board members provide additional administrative oversight for the projects.

AABA received a small grant of $3,850.00 for providing Family Leadership Development Training in 2004.

AABA moved the office to the United Way Annex building located next to the Senior Center in 2004. Under the leadership and direction of the CEO and President, the challenge for 2005 is for AABA to continue to grow, become stronger in the community and continue the much- needed work of family advocacy and promoting healthy families.

In 2005, ABBA continues to maintain it's presence in the community. ABBA became a site sponsor for the Ameri*Corps Vista program. By doing this, ABBA obtained a volunteer who will develop a respite program for families challenged with reactive attachment children. ABBA is in the process of recruiting for new board members. ABBA's plan for 2006 is an aggressive campaign to raise funds for sustainability of the organization to further carry out the mission.