Alaska kids enter foster care at higher rates

According to the Kids Count program, Alaska has been consistently above the national average in the rate of kids age 0-17 entering foster care. In 2009 the national rate dipped from 4 kids per 1,000 to 3, while in Alaska the rate stayed steady at 5 kids per 1,000.

Alaska is ranked 35th by this rate. Virginia has the lowest rate at 1, and Wyoming the highest at 9. Alaska's foster care population is heavily skewed Alaska Native. In 2008 there were 2,116 children in foster care, of which 61% were Alaska Native or American Indian. The percentage of children in Alaska who are Alaska Native is 25%.