### **ALABAMA FOSTER CARE RESOURCES** **I. Overview of Foster Care in Alabama** - **Governing Agency:** The **Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)** is the state agency responsible for overseeing and licensing foster care in Alabama. Services are managed and implemented by 67 county departments, each with its own director and board. - **Children in Care:** There are approximately 6,000 children in Alabama's foster care system at any given time. These children come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from infants to teenagers. Many have experienced trauma due to abuse and neglect. - **Types of Care:** - **Foster Parenting:** Providing a temporary, loving home for children in DHR custody. - **Respite Foster Parenting:** Providing short-term care for foster children when full-time foster parents need a break or in emergency situations. Respite providers undergo the same training as full-time foster parents. - **Foster to Adopt:** Becoming a licensed foster parent with the potential to adopt a child in your care if they become eligible for adoption (parental rights are terminated). Priority for adoption often goes to biological family members first, then to foster parents. - **Adopting from Foster Care:** It's also possible to apply specifically to adopt a child who is already available and waiting for adoption from the foster care system, without first becoming a foster parent. - **Goals:** - **Reunification:** Approximately 51% of children in foster care are reunified with their biological families. - **Kinship Placement:** Placing children with relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles) is a priority when biological parents cannot care for them. - **Adoption:** About 22% of children in foster care are adopted, providing them with a permanent family. - **Aging Out:** Unfortunately, some youth "age out" of foster care at 18 without a permanent family. Independent Living programs aim to support these young adults. **II. Requirements to Become a Foster Parent in Alabama** The Alabama DHR licenses all foster homes. The process involves meeting specific criteria and completing training. - **Basic Eligibility:** - **Age:** Must be at least 19 years old. - **Marital Status:** Single or married. If married, generally married for at least 1 year (or 3 years if solely adopting through DHR). - **Health:** Must be in good physical and mental health, verified by a physician, with no infectious or contagious diseases. All household members must also be free from infectious diseases. - **Income:** Must have a regular source of income that meets your family's financial needs. Foster parents receive monthly reimbursement for room and board, but this is not intended to be a primary income source. - **Home Environment:** Provide a safe, comfortable, and stable home that conforms to the Alabama Minimum Standards for Foster Family Homes. This includes adequate space and bedrooms for all residents (e.g., separate sleeping rooms for children over age 6 of the opposite sex). - **Household Willingness:** All members of your household must be willing to share their home with a foster child. - **Transportation:** Must have a valid Alabama driver's license and maintain state-required motor vehicle insurance. - **Background Checks & Clearances:** - All adults (age 18 and older) in the home must undergo thorough background checks, including: - Criminal history background check (fingerprinting through the Alabama Bureau of Investigation). - Clearance from the State Central Registry on Child Abuse/Neglect. - **Training and Home Study:** - **Pre-Service Training:** Complete **30 hours** of "Trauma Informed Partnering for Permanence and Safety" (TIPPS) classes. This training covers topics like child development, behavior management, grief and loss, attachment, trauma-informed care, and cultural differences. This is often delivered over 10 weeks (3 hours per week), but formats can vary by county. - **Home Study/Family Assessment:** A DHR worker will conduct a comprehensive home study, including home visits and interviews with all family members, to assess suitability. This process reviews physical and mental health, social history, references, and financial background. - **References:** Provide at least three references who have known you for at least two years, are unrelated to you, and can speak to your character and suitability to care for children. - **Ongoing Requirements:** - **Annual Renewal:** Foster parents must renew their license each year. - **Annual Training:** Complete **15 hours** of approved in-service training annually. This includes topics like child safety, CPR and pediatric/infant first aid (required if a pool is on the property), crisis intervention, cultural sensitivity, and substance abuse. - **Maintain Standards:** Continuously maintain your home in compliance with DHR's minimum standards. **III. How to Begin the Process** 1. **Contact Alabama DHR:** This is the best starting point. - **Phone:** **1-866-4AL-Kids (1-866-425-5437)** - **Email:** [email protected] - **Website:** Visit the DHR website's Foster Care section: [https://dhr.alabama.gov/foster-care/](https://dhr.alabama.gov/foster-care/) - You can also contact your local county DHR office directly. 2. **Inquiry and Application:** DHR or a licensed child-placing agency will guide you through the initial inquiry and application forms. 3. **Attend TIPPS Training:** Enroll in and complete the required 30 hours of pre-service training. 4. **Complete Home Study:** Cooperate with your assigned resource caseworker for the home study, documentation, and background checks. 5. **Receive License:** Once approved, you will receive your foster family license. **IV. Support for Foster Parents in Alabama** Being a foster parent can be challenging but deeply rewarding. Numerous organizations offer support. - **Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parent Association (AFAPA):** - **Purpose:** A volunteer-driven organization dedicated to providing education, training, and support to foster, adoptive, and kinship families across Alabama. They advocate for families, educate the public, and promote local parent associations. - **Website:** [https://afapa.org/](https://afapa.org/) - **Contact:** Check their website for regional training workshops and their annual conference. - **Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC):** - **Purpose:** Provides support services for adoptive families, including information, resources, and referrals. - **Phone:** 1-866-803-2722 - **Website:** [https://www.childrensaid.org/](https://www.childrensaid.org/) (Part of Children's Aid Society of Alabama) - **Foster Coalition (Birmingham Area):** - **Purpose:** Connects foster parents with resources, education, and support from various organizations and agencies. They act as an information hub to bridge gaps in the foster care system. - **Website:** [https://fostercoalition.org/](https://fostercoalition.org/) - They list numerous agencies and organizations providing foster care, adoption, and related support services. - **Licensed Child-Placing Agencies:** In addition to DHR, several private agencies are licensed to place children in foster homes and support foster families. These include: - Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries: [https://www.alabamachild.org/fostercare](https://www.alabamachild.org/fostercare) - Agape of Central Alabama: [https://www.agapeforchildren.org/](https://www.agapeforchildren.org/) - Lifeline Children's Services: [https://lifelinechild.org/](https://lifelinechild.org/) - Sevita (formerly Mentor Foster Care): [https://www.sevitahealth.com/locations/alabama](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.sevitahealth.com/locations/alabama) - **Foster the Future Alabama:** - **Purpose:** Promotes health and wellness among Alabama's foster youth by identifying and providing quality services and opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable, aiming to decrease inequities. - **Website:** [https://www.fosterthefuturealabama.org/](https://www.fosterthefuturealabama.org/) - **Local DHR Offices:** Your assigned DHR social worker and county office will also provide ongoing support, supervision, and access to necessary services for the child and foster family. - **Alabama 2-1-1 Connects:** - **Purpose:** A comprehensive helpline connecting individuals to local health and human services, including foster care support. - **Phone:** Dial 2-1-1 - **Website:** [https://211connectsalabama.org/](https://211connectsalabama.org/) **V. Important Considerations** - **Trauma-Informed Care:** Children in foster care have often experienced trauma. Foster parents receive training to understand and respond to the unique needs of these children with a trauma-informed approach. - **Reunification Focus:** While adoption is an option, the primary goal for most children entering foster care is reunification with their biological family. Foster parents play a critical role in supporting this goal when safe and appropriate, sometimes by working with the biological parents. - **Aging Out:** Support for youth transitioning out of foster care at age 18 is a growing area of focus to ensure they have the resources and skills needed for independent adulthood. If you're looking for foster care resources in Alabama, various organizations and agencies provide support for foster children, foster families, and those interested in fostering or adopting. Below is a list of key resources: --- ### **1. Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)** - **Purpose**: Oversees foster care and adoption services across Alabama. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **334-242-1310** - **Website**: [dhr.alabama.gov](https://dhr.alabama.gov) - **Services**: - Licensing for foster families. - Case management and child placement. - Resources for current foster parents. --- ### **2. Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (AFAPA)** - **Purpose**: Supports foster and adoptive families with training, advocacy, and resources. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **888-545-2372** - **Website**: [afapa.org](http://www.afapa.org) - **Services**: - Training and workshops for foster and adoptive parents. - Advocacy for foster care reform. - Peer support and networking opportunities. --- ### **3. Heart Gallery Alabama** - **Purpose**: Helps find adoptive families for children in foster care. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **205-445-1293** - **Website**: [heartgalleryalabama.com](https://heartgalleryalabama.com) - **Services**: - Promotes adoption of children in foster care. - Photo listings of children available for adoption. - Community outreach to raise awareness about fostering and adoption. --- ### **4. Alabama Children's Aid Society** - **Purpose**: Provides services to help families and children involved in foster care. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **800-239-5437** - **Website**: [childrensaid.org](https://www.childrensaid.org) - **Services**: - Support services for foster children and families. - Counseling and family preservation programs. - Resources for reunification or permanent placement. --- ### **5. BigHouse Foundation** - **Purpose**: Enhances the quality of life for children in foster care. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **334-363-2634** - **Website**: [ourbighouse.org](http://www.ourbighouse.org) - **Services**: - Back-to-school clothing and supplies. - Extracurricular activity funding. - Holiday gifts and family support events. --- ### **6. Alabama Mentor (Mentor Network)** - **Purpose**: Provides therapeutic foster care for children with special needs. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **800-939-8079** - **Website**: [al-mentor.com](https://www.al-mentor.com) - **Services**: - Training and support for therapeutic foster families. - Behavioral health and emotional support for foster children. - Placement services for children with complex needs. --- ### **7. Foster the City (Alabama Chapters)** - **Purpose**: Mobilizes faith-based communities to support foster families. - **Contact**: - **Website**: [fosterthecity.org](https://fosterthecity.org) - **Services**: - Recruitment and training for foster parents. - Church-based support groups for fostering families. - Emergency resources for foster children. --- ### **8. Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)** - **Purpose**: Advocates for children in the foster care and court systems. - **Contact**: - **Website**: [alabamacasa.org](https://www.alabamacasa.org) - **Services**: - Trained volunteers to represent foster children’s interests in court. - Advocacy for better foster care policies. --- ### **9. Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries** - **Purpose**: Offers foster care and family support services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **205-982-1112** - **Website**: [alabamachild.org](https://www.alabamachild.org) - **Services**: - Foster care placement and family support. - Residential care for children unable to live in foster homes. - Faith-based counseling and resources. --- ### **10. National Foster Care Support Resources** - **AdoptUSKids**: - **Phone**: **1-888-200-4005** - **Website**: [adoptuskids.org](https://www.adoptuskids.org) - Provides national support for fostering and adoption. - **Child Welfare Information Gateway**: - **Website**: [childwelfare.gov](https://www.childwelfare.gov) - Offers extensive resources on fostering and adoption. --- ### **11. 2-1-1 Alabama (United Way)** - **Purpose**: Connects families to local foster care services and support. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: Dial **2-1-1** - **Website**: [211connectsalabama.org](https://www.211connectsalabama.org) - **Services**: - Referrals to foster care agencies. - Emergency assistance for foster families. --- ### **Steps to Get Involved or Access Help** 1. **Contact DHR**: - Start with the Alabama Department of Human Resources for licensing and placement inquiries. 2. **Join Support Networks**: - Engage with groups like AFAPA or CASA for training, advocacy, and peer support. 3. **Utilize Local Resources**: - Reach out to organizations like BigHouse Foundation for day-to-day support. 4. **Explore Adoption Opportunities**: - Use Heart Gallery Alabama to learn about children awaiting adoption. Let me know if you need further details or specific help!