Agencies & Organizations

CONNECTIONING THE FOSTER CARE COMMUNITY

Existing foster care agencies and support structures have helped lay the groundwork for foster care and are doing great work daily. Foster Coalition helps facilitate agency and organizational impact to a heightened degree. If you need additional support as a foster parent or foster family, connecting with Foster Coalition can help link you with the resources you need. We work with community partners—churches, nonprofits, organizations, government agencies, and more—to provide focused support for the foster care system and for foster families. Additional resources, reading materials, movies, documentaries, and community partners are listed below.

Resources

 

 

Adoption and Foster Care Agencies

Agape
Foster care and adoption agency, and foster parent training 

agapeforchildren.org

 

Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, group foster homes, foster parent training, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling 

alabamachild.org/fostercare


Heart Gallery of Alabama
Adoption, mentors, and connects foster youth to adults 

heartgalleryalabama.com

 

Lifeline Children’s Services
Adoption and fostering, family counseling, parenting coaching, foster parent training, and online classes
lifelinechild.org

 

Aging Out and At-Risk Support

Second Shift
Basic care services, connection programs, mentors, mentor training, and transitional housing assistance

secondshiftalabama.org

 

Attorneys

The Adoption Law Firm

Adoption attorneys

theadoptionfirm.com

 

Children and Youth Homes

Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, foster care training, group foster homes, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling 

alabamachild.org/fostercare

 

Childhaven Inc.
Residential home for adolescents with transitional and independent living programs

childhaven.com

King’s Home
Residential homes with transition counseling, education, childcare, transportation, job and life skills training

kingshome.com

 

Clothing and Household Goods

Garrett’s Place
Clothing closet, baby equipment, books, school supplies, and toys

garrettsplace.org

Katie’s Kloset (Raleigh’s Place)

Clothing and furniture closet in Chilton County
raleighsplace.org/katies-kloset

Mission Alabama
Clothing, household items, food bank, mentoring, and career programs

missionalabama.org

Shelby Baptist Association
Thrift store, food, diapers, household cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, school supplies, shoes, and vehicles in Shelby County and beyond

shelbybaptist.org

 

Counseling and Mental Health

Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders 

mh.alabama.gov

 

Bradford Health Services
Substance abuse treatment

bradfordhealth.org


Central Alabama Wellness
Mental health, substance abuse counseling

centralalabamawellness.org

 

Children’s Aid Society of Alabama
Adoption, counseling, foster parent training, and aging-out support
childrensaid.org

Children’s of Alabama
Pediatric hospital with specialized medical care, emergency and critical care, child and adolescent mental health care, caregiver education and support, and poison control center

childrensal.org

 

Christ Health Center
Medical, dental, pharmacy, mental health and counseling, and pastoral care services
christhealthcenter.org


Family Guidance Center of Alabama
Counseling, parenting education, mentoring, child care support, and job training

familyguidancecenter.org

 

Freedom Farm
Counseling, family support, and mentoring for foster youth in Phenix City
freedomfarmcrossroad.com

 

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services
Mental health hospital: inpatient and outpatient care

hillCrestBHS.com

 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama
Mental healthcare support, education, resources for individuals and families 

namialabama.org

 

National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
Mental health information and events for children, adolescents, and adults

nih.gov

 

Shelby County Health Department

Mental, physical, and medical healthcare

alabamapublichealth.gov/shelby

 

The Willow Project

Music and art classes, tutoring, parenting classes, counseling in Jasper

willowprojectal.com

 

Disability

Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse 

mh.alabama.gov

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Children and adults with disabilities

rehab.alabama.gov

The Arc of Shelby County
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families

thearcofshelby.org

United Ability

Life enrichment activities, counseling, education, family respite, parenting and child development, adult programs

unitedability.org

 

Domestic and Sexual Abuse

Alabama Law Enforcement Homeland Security Department
Sex trafficking, criminal records, sex offender registry

alea.gov

 

Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
Alabama law enforcement agency
alea.gov


Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Birmingham
Report crime, suspicious activities, and missing children; provides awareness education in Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties

fbi.gov

Ministry Safe Alabama – Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
Preventative legal advice and workshops for churches and ministries serving children and youth

ministrysafe.com

Owen’s House
Child abuse reporting and response, free forensic interviews (sexual, emotional, and physical abuse evaluations), family advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, and community education in Shelby County

owenshouse.org

Safe House
Immediate safe shelter, counseling, and resources in Shelby County

safehouse.org

 

Driving and Vehicles

Hearts of Wheels
Driver’s training, transportation, insurance referrals for at-risk youth

heartsofwheels.org

 

Shelby Baptist Association
Vehicles in Shelby County and beyond

shelbybaptist.org

 

Education

Alabama Workforce Training Center
Youth job training for the manufacturing and construction industries in central Alabama 

aidt.edu

Alabaster City Schools
Education and school counseling in Shelby County

acsboe.org

Childcare Resources
Early childhood education and childcare assistance

ccr-bhm.org

The Day Program
Academic, GED prep, counseling, employability and life skills 

thedayprogram.com

FOCUS Program
School student-led program for prevention of adolescent risky behaviors (grades 6-12)

thefocusprogram.com

Foster Care to Success
College fund for foster youth: scholarships, grants, academic coaching, mentors, internships

fc2success.org

HIPPY
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (age 3-5)

hippyspringboard.org

 

Jefferson County Board of Education

jefcoed.com

Pelham City Schools
Education and school counseling in Shelby County

pelhamcityschools.org

 

Shelby County Board of Education
shelbyed.k12.al.us

 

STRIVE Birmingham
Career skills: curricula, job readiness training, coaching and occupational skills for Jefferson and Shelby Counties

STRIVE Birmingham

 

Emergency Shelter

Family Connection
Day shelter and overnight center for runaway and homeless youth, counseling

uwca.org/partners/family-connection

Safe House
Immediate safe shelter, counseling and resources in Shelby County

safehouse.org

 

Food 

Community Food Bank of Alabama
Food for individuals and children in need serving Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Talladega, Walker, and Winston Counties

feedingal.org

Mission Alabama
Food bank

missionalabama.org

Vineyard Family Services
Parenting, mediation, mentoring and youth services, food boxes, diapers and wipes

vfsdads.com

 

Foster Family Ministry

Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church
Promise686 church ministry for training, equipping, and supporting workers and foster families
ompc.org

 

Foster Parent Training

Agape
Foster care and adoption agency, foster parent training 

agapeforchildren.org

 

Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, foster care training, group foster homes, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling

alabamachild.org


Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (AFAPA)
Assistance and training for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers

afapa.org


Children’s Aid Society of Alabama
Adoption, counseling, foster parent training, and aging-out support

childrensaid.org

Lifeline Children’s Services
Adoption and fostering support, family counseling, parent coaching, foster parent training and online classes
lifelinechild.org

National Foster Parent Association
nfpaonline.org/fostercare

 

Shelby County Foster Parent Association
Foster parent support
shelbycountyfosterparents.org

 

Raleigh’s Place

Foster parenting and training classes for DHR credit, clothing and furniture closet (Katie’s Kloset), summer camps for foster and adopted kids age 6-18; transitional housing, education, life skills and job training, job placement for aging-out over age 18 in Chilton County

raleighsplace.org

 

Government Agencies

Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)
State supervision of local county agencies, foster parent training, background checks, case management, and aging-out supervision

dhr.alabama.gov


          DHR Jefferson County

          welfareoffices.org

 

          DHR Shelby County

          welfareoffices.org

 

Alabama Department of Youth Services
Programs for youth in juvenile justice system, educational opportunities, services, and support

dys.alabama.gov

Alabama Children’s Policy Council (CPC)
Local foster organization coordinator, supports children’s services providers in developing community service plans to address needs of children ages 0-19 and their families
alcpc.org

 

          CPC Jefferson County

          alcpc.org/jefferson


          CPC Shelby County

          alcpc.org/shelby

 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Training, visitation and supervision, and local training for juvenile court appointed special advocate volunteers

nationalcasagal.org

 

          Alabama CASA

          alabamacasa.org

 

          CASA of Cheaha Region 

          cheahacasa.org


          CASA of Cullman County

          cullmancaringforkids.com


          CASA of Shelby County

          casaofshelbycounty.org

 

Health Care and Medical

Alabama Medicaid
For information and to apply for Medicaid for children, parents, and caretaker relatives
medicaid.alabama.gov

Children’s of Alabama
Pediatric hospital with specialized medical care, emergency and critical care, child and adolescent mental health care, caregiver education and support, and poison control center

childrensal.org

 

Christ Health Center
Medical, dental, pharmacy, mental health and counseling, and pastoral care services
christhealthcenter.org

 

Jefferson County AL Department of Health
Pediatric primary care, dental, and optometry clinics
jcdh.org

 

Shelby County AL Health Department

Mental, physical, and medical healthcare

alabamapublichealth.gov/shelby

 

Hispanic Community Resources

Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Citizenship, immigration, economic development, family programs, career and college readiness 

hicaalabama.org

 

Kinship Families and Guardians

Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (AFAPA)
Adoptive, foster, and kinship parent association: provides education, training, and support

afapa.org


Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging
Alabama Cares’ program for kinship caregivers (older adults) raising children under age 18: caregiver training, information, counseling, and respite service

m4a.org

National Council on the Aging
Economic, health and wellness resources, programs, tools, and advocacy for older adults

ncoa.org

 

Mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
Community and site based mentoring for children and youth (ages 6-18)
bbbs.org


          BBBS of Alabama

          bbbofalabama.org

 

          BBBS of Greater Birmingham

          bbbsbhm.org

 

Family Guidance Center of Alabama
Counseling, parenting education, mentoring, child care support,and job training

familyguidancecenter.org

 
Heart Gallery of Alabama
Adoption, mentors, and connects foster youth to adults 

heartgalleryalabama.com

Vineyard Family Services
Parenting, mediation, mentoring and youth services, food boxes, diapers and wipes

vfsdads.com

 

Military and Veterans

The American Legion Department of Alabama
Assistance for military personnel, vets, and their families, and Boys State program

legional.org

 

 

 

TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE

Department of Human Resources
(205) 669-3000


Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
(205) 669-4181


Shelby County Child Advocacy Center
(205) 669-3333

Movies and Documentaries

Alabama Foster Care
PBS APTV Special documentary produced by Mike Ousley of Foster Coalition: a close-up look at foster care families in Alabama and the tremendous emotional rewards that come with providing care posted on the PBS website.

 

The Day I Picked My Parents
A documentary series that follows ten foster children who are part of a revolutionary program operated by the nonprofit organization Kidsave in California, as they search to find their forever home. For the first time in their lives, they will have input into their own destiny as they decide where they want to live and who will be their family.

 

Instant Family
Two house flippers are certain they can handle their latest project: adopting three longtime foster kids. But this group is anything but a family. Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) must learn the ropes of instant parenthood. Inspired by a true story, discover this must-see family comedy from the creators of Daddy’s Home.

 

Room for One More
Cary Grant and Betsy Drake star in a heartwarming comedy about a couple with three children who decide that three is definitely not enough. The comic complications of adopting a few new family members enliven this vastly enjoyable family film.

 

The Quiet Girl
Based on the short story Foster by Claire Keegan and set in rural Ireland, it follows a nine-year-old girl, Cait (Catherine Clinch), who is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with her mother’s cousin and her husband for the summer. There, she experiences freedom and a loving home for the first time.

 

Ellen Foster
An 11-year-old girl is left an orphan when her mother commits suicide and her abusive, alcoholic father drinks himself to death. From the Hallmark Hall of Fame Collection, it stars Jena Malone, Julie Harris and Debra Monk.

Further Reading

Online Resources for Foster & Adoptive Families

Adopt US Kids
Family education about foster care and adoption, support for child welfare professionals
adoptuskids.org

Empowered to Connect
Training and education for parents and caregivers
empoweredtoconnect.org

Jason Johnson Blog
Blog, books, resources for foster parents, church ministries, agencies and organizations
jasonjohnsonblog.com

Promise686
Church ministries, care communities, and resources for foster parents and families
promise686.org

Show Hope
Education, support, adoption aid and medical care grants
showhope.org

 

 

 

Life Books Links

 

Full Life Book in English

 

Full Life Book in Spanish

 

The Book of Me

 

A Special Day for Me

Alabama Ministry & Support Resources 

Foster Aid Ministry
Care bags with toiletry items, books, toys, pajamas for kids entering care; resource closet with furniture, clothes, shoes, toys, books for kids and families in St. Clair County
fosteraidministry.org/foster-children


The Hangar
Clothing closet with shoes, jackets, swimsuits and new-to-care bags for children and teens entering care in Shelby County
Shelby County Foster Parent Association | Facebook

 

Kids Connection

Clothing, books, and other items for children in Homewood
dawsonchurch.org/kidsconnection

Finding Support for Foster Families

It can be dizzying trying to find support for your foster family. Foster Coalition works to connect you with existing foster care support systems and provide resources as needed. Additionally, we work closely with adoption and respite care networks to establish methods of care for those in need. These include foster families, siblings in separation, adoptive families, and more. Connect with Foster Coalition to learn more about available resources. If you are looking to support the foster care system and those involved, visit our How to Help page or contact us to find an impact method that resonates with you.