The Family & Youth Services Training Academy (FYSTA) began in 1998 through the initiative of Alaska's Governor Tony Knowles and Department of Health and Social Services Commissioner Karen Perdue.

Wanting to create a training center for Alaska child protection workers in Alaska, a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Social Work and the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services was established.

The Academy receives its funding through a mix of state, university, and matching Federal Title IV-E funds earmarked to improve child welfare services through training.

FYSTA MISSION STATEMENT

The primary mission of the Family & Youth Services Training Academy (FYSTA) is to provide ongoing training and education in the area of child protection and permanency planning to the staff of the Office of Children’s Services (OCS).