Foster Parent classes: what you need to know to sign up today

News

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 11:19

The state of Alabama currently has 5,700 children in foster care with 220 available for adoption. Jackson County has 100+ children in the system with only 51 licensed and open foster homes, and out of those 51, only 35 homes have an active placement.

According to dhr.alabama.gov, some of these children only need placement 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 the children share a need for a caring and committed family that can bring them the future they deserve.

Jackson County DHR currently holds Foster Parenting Classes periodically throughout the year. The next class coming up begins on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Participants will meet each Tuesday for 10 weeks, and classes will be held at the DHR office located at Bingham Street (the old Brownwood School) in Scottsboro.

Foster care applicants complete a 30-hour prep course and receive information necessary to prepare for a rewarding family experience. They may care for one or more children, with a 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 them for support. Families also receive a payment each month for room and board.

For more information, visit dhr.alabama.gov or contact Denise Ingram at 256.575.6020 | Denise.Ingram@dhr.alabama.gov or April Ballard at 256.575.6025 | April.Ballard@dhr.alabama.gov.
“Your fear of getting too attached probably means you’d be a great foster parent. Do it.” – Jason Johnson.

by Martha Smith