HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Currently in Alabama, there are approximately 6,000 children in foster care. "Currently, we have 455 kids in foster care here in Madison County," Corey Williams, director for the Madison County Department of Human Resources shares. "And also, we have 246 licensed foster homes. They say Huntsville or Madison County is the best place to live so we think we have the best foster parents as well."
Some in the system simply need foster care for a matter of days. Others may need foster care until they are reunited with their biological family, or a plan is made for them to be adopted. All of these children share the need for a caring and committed family that can bring them the future they deserve.
The Madison DHR is hoping to help meet the needs of those in foster care by hosting a recruitment fair for those interested in opening their homes and hearts to someone who needs it. "When we recruit our foster parents, we do have what we call TIPS class. That is a ten-week class where we prepare our foster parents for things, for it to be trauma informed, to be things that they will expect as far as when they get a kid into their home," Williams shares. " And also, just to prepare them and also know that they're not in this alone, that they are provided resources also."
Who are These Children That Need Foster Care?
- Children from all ethnic and economic groups.
- Children with backgrounds or experiences that have placed them at risk.
- Brothers and sisters who need to stay together.
- Teens with various degrees of mental, physical or emotional problems.
- Children of all ages who cannot currently live with their birth families due to the risk of neglect, physical or sexual abuse.
What They Need Most is Your Abilities and Care.
Families or individuals interested in providing foster care for children are subject to an approval process. The main requirement is to have the ability and desire to provide the type of care needed by the children served.
- Foster care applicants complete a 30-hour preparation course and receive information necessary to prepare for a rewarding family experience.
- Foster parents may provide care for one or more children, the maximum of six at any one time.
- Children in foster care have a social worker assigned to them to support the placement and to access necessary services. Foster families also have social workers assigned to support them.
- Families receive a payment each month for room and board.
You Could be a Foster Parent if…
- You are at least 19 years of age.
- You can provide a safe, comfortable atmosphere for the child.
- Your home conforms to the Alabama Minimum Standards for Foster Family Homes.
- Your home has enough space for the child and his or her belongings.
- All members of your family are willing to share their home with a child who needs care.
- All members of your family are in good health.
- All adults in the home are willing to undergo a thorough background check, including criminal history.
An Introduction to Adult Foster Care:
Through hardships or circumstances beyond their control, quite a few adults find themselves in need of a “helping hand.” Some are elderly men and women whose families are unable or unavailable to care for them. Others may be elderly or disabled young adults living on their own and cannot care for themselves. " We look we're constantly recruiting for our adult foster homes because sometimes they're unable to care for themselves," Williams shares. "Sometimes they're our most vulnerable population, financial exploitation, just different things that may arise."
Who are Adults Needing Care?
- Adults (age 18 and older) who cannot live alone nor with their natural families due to risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
- Adults without families of their own, or have families that are unable to care for them.
- Handicapped or elderly victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
- Adults that can live safely in a normal family home setting, but may require assistance or supervision with dressing, feeding, hygiene or other daily life activitie
Adult Foster Care Home Requirements
Families or individuals interested in providing foster care for adults are subject to an approval process. The main requirement is to have the ability and desire to provide the type of care needed by the person served. The following list includes a few of the requirements for AFC providers:
- The prospective FC provider must be 19 years or older.
- Must be able to read and write.
- Must have a valid Alabama driver’s license and liability insurance on the automobile. Must be qualified to provide foster care by virtue of training, experience, and receive the information necessary to prepare for a rewarding experience.
- Must have sufficient income to meet own needs.
- Work must not interfere with providing care for the client.
- All household members must be willing to accept the AFC client.
- The home must have telephone access and adequate space for the client.
- Potential AFC provider must have a substitute care provider.