Agencies & Organizations
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
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Adoption and Foster Care Agencies
Agape
Foster care and adoption agency, and foster parent training
Email Jessica Rush: jrush@agapeforchildren.org in Birmingham, AL or Katya Rutherford: katya@agapecares.org in Madison, AL
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, group foster homes, foster parent training, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling
Email: info@alabamachild.org
Alabama Mentor Therapeutic Foster Care, Sevita Healthcare
Foster care, behavioral health, transitional living host home services, and services for mothers and infants.
Heart Gallery of Alabama
Adoption, mentors, and connects foster youth to adults
Lifeline Children’s Services
Adoption and fostering, family counseling, parenting coaching, foster parent training, and online classes.
Please watch Lifeline’s informational videos: Intro to Lifeline, Families Count, Heritage Builders, Contact Info.
Attorneys
The Adoption Law Firm
Adoption attorneys
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
Childhaven Inc.
Residential home for adolescents with transitional and independent living programs
Grace House Ministries
Residential home for Alabama girls in foster care
Clothing and Household Goods
Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank
Diapers in Jefferson County and other partner locations
Garrett’s Place
Clothing closet, baby equipment, books, school supplies, and toys
garrettsplace.org
Mission Alabama
Clothing, household items, food bank, mentoring, and career programs
Counseling and Mental Health
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders
Alethea House
Low-cost substance abuse treatment and prevention services, HIV prevention, employment services, health care and affordable housing.
specialkindofcaring.org
Bradford Health Services
Substance abuse treatment
Central Alabama Wellness
Mental health, substance abuse counseling
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
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
Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services
Mental health hospital: inpatient and outpatient care
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama
Mental healthcare support, education, resources for individuals and families
Sojourn Counseling
Non-profit counseling practice specializing in trauma and PTSD
Trauma Informed Counselors
Child’s Play Therapy Center
Hoover, Chelsea, and Huntsville, AL
Email: info@childsplaytherapycenter.com
childsplaytherapycenter.com
Pathways Professional Counseling
Birmingham, AL and other locations across the state
pathwaysprofessional.org
Pruett Counseling and Consulting
Mountain Brook, AL
pruettcounseling.com
The Adoption and Foster Care Clinic
Hoover, AL
Email: family@adoptionfosterclinic.org
adoptionfosterclinic.org/therapy
Sojourn Counseling
sojourncounseling.org
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
United Ability
Life enrichment activities, counseling, education, family respite, parenting and child development, adult programs
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Alabama Law Enforcement Homeland Security Department
Sex trafficking, criminal records, sex offender registry
Alabama State Bureau of Investigation (SBI)
Alabama law enforcement agency
alea.gov
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Physical and emotional support by affiliation and physical presence
bacaworld.org
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
Driving and Vehicles
Hearts of Wheels
Driver’s training, transportation, insurance referrals for at-risk youth
Education
Alabama Workforce Training Center
Youth job training for the manufacturing and construction industries in central Alabama
aidt.edu
Childcare Resources
Early childhood education and childcare assistance
ccr-bhm.org
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
Jefferson County Board of Education
STRIVE Birmingham
Career skills: curricula, job readiness training, coaching and occupational skills for Jefferson and Shelby Counties
Emergency Shelter
Family Connection, Inc.
Safe temporary location for homeless teenagers ages 12 through 17 to shelter and receive counseling services
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
Foster Parent Training
Agape
Foster care and adoption agency, foster parent training
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, foster care training, group foster homes, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling
Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parents Association (AFAPA)
Assistance and training for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers
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
Government Agencies
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) Jefferson County
State supervision of local county agencies, foster parent training, background checks, case management, and aging-out supervision
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) Jefferson County
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
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Jefferson County
Training, visitation and supervision, and local training for juvenile court appointed special advocate volunteers
Health Care and Medical
Alabama Medicaid
For information and to apply for Medicaid for children, parents, and caretaker relatives
medicaid.alabama.gov
Alabama Public Health
Offering ALL Kids Insurance for Children, a low-cost, comprehensive healthcare coverage program for eligible children under age 19.
alabamapublichealth.gov/allkids
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
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
Hispanic Community Resources
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Citizenship, immigration, economic development, family programs, career and college readiness
Kinship Families and Guardians
Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (AFAPA)
Adoptive, foster, and kinship parent association providing education, training, and support
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
United Way of Central Alabama’s Area Agency on Aging
Senior center programs, hot meals and help with food, Medicare counseling, caregiver support, prescription drug assistance, legal services, advocacy for long-term care residents.
uwaaa.org/
Mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Greater Birmingham
Community and site based mentoring for children and youth (ages 6-18)
Family Guidance Center of Alabama
Counseling, parenting education, mentoring, child care support,and job training
Heart Gallery of Alabama
Adoption, mentors, and connects foster youth to adults
The MayFly Project
Mentor and support children in foster care through fly fishing
SHELBY COUNTY
Aging Out and At-Risk Support
Created Ministries
Housing, job placement, money management, and individualized life skills training, mentors
Second Shift
Basic care services, connection programs, mentors, mentor training, and transitional housing assistance
Children and Youth Home
King’s Home
Residential homes with transition counseling, education, childcare, transportation, job and life skills training
Clothing and Household Goods
Shelby Baptist Association
Thrift store, food, diapers, household cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, school supplies, shoes, and vehicles in Shelby County and beyond
Counseling and Mental Health
Central Alabama Wellness
Counseling for adult and children for trauma, bereavement, behavioral problems and other issues
centralalabamawellness.org
Shelby County Health Department
Mental, physical, and medical healthcare
alabamapublichealth.gov/shelby
Trauma Informed Counseling
Lifeline Children’s Services
Birmingham, AL
lifelinechild.org/counseling-services
Disability
The Arc of Shelby County
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families
Domestic and Sexual Abuse
Blanket Fort Hope
Restorative services for child sex trafficking survivors and training for sex trafficking awareness.
blanketforthope.org
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
Safe House
Immediate safe shelter, counseling, and resources in Shelby County
Driving and Vehicles
Shelby Baptist Association
Vehicles in Shelby County and beyond
Education
The Day Program
Academic, GED prep, counseling, employability and life skills
Alabaster City Schools
Education and school counseling in Shelby County
Pelham City Schools
Education and school counseling in Shelby County
Shelby County Board of Education
shelbyed.k12.al.us
HIPPY
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (age 3-5)
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
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
Shelby Emergency Assistance
Providing emergency food pantry, toiletries, utility payment assistance, dental and medical cost assistance for people in crisis
shelbbyemergencyassistance.org
Vineyard Family Services
Parenting, mediation, mentoring and youth services, food boxes, diapers and wipes
Foster Family Ministry
Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church
Promise686 church ministry for training, equipping, and supporting workers and foster families
ompc.org
The Church at Brook Hills
Promise686 church ministry for training, equipping, and supporting workers and foster families
brookhills.org/care-for-children-overview
Foster Parent Training and Associations
Shelby County Foster Parent Association
Foster parent support
shelbycountyfosterparents.org
Government Agencies
Alabama Children’s Policy Council (CPC) Shelby County
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
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Shelby County
Training, visitation and supervision, and local training for juvenile court appointed special advocate volunteers
Department of Human Resources (DHR) Shelby County
State supervision of local county agencies, foster parent training, background checks, case management, and aging-out supervision
Health Care and Medical
Shelby County Health Department
Mental, physical, and medical healthcare
alabamapublichealth.gov/shelby
Housing and Utilities
Shelby Emergency Assistance
Providing emergency food pantry, toiletries, utility payment assistance, dental and medical cost assistance for people in crisis
shelbbyemergencyassistance.org
Mentoring
Vineyard Family Services
Parenting, mediation, mentoring and youth services, food boxes, diapers and wipes
CHILTON COUNTY
Clothing and Household Goods
Katie’s Kloset
Clothing and furniture closet
raleighsplace.org/katies-kloset
Foster Parent Training
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
LEE & RUSSELL COUNTIES
Counseling and Mental Health
Freedom Farm
Counseling, family support, and mentoring for foster youth in Phenix City
freedomfarmcrossroad.com
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Counseling and Mental Health
Family Guidance Center
Counseling, parenting education, marriage enrichment, mentoring, services for business and industry, childcare support services, senior services, adult day care, career development, job training and other therapeutic services for families
familyguidancecenter.org
WALKER COUNTY
Counseling and Mental Health
The Willow Project
Music and art classes, tutoring, parenting classes, counseling in Jasper
ALABAMA STATEWIDE
Adoption and Foster Care Agencies
Alabama Mentor Therapeutic Foster Care, Sevita Healthcare
Foster care, behavioral health, transitional living host home services, and services for mothers and infants.
American Legion
Programs for children and youth focused on patriotism, leadership, good citizenship
legional.org
Counseling and Mental Health
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama
Mental healthcare support, education, resources for individuals and families
Disability
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Children and adults with disabilities
Education
The Focus Program
School peer program for the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors
HIPPY Springboard
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) serving parents of children ages three, four, and five
Government Agencies
Department of Human Resources (DHR) Alabama
State supervision of local county agencies, foster parent training, background checks, case management, and aging-out supervision
Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Alabama
Community and site based mentoring for children and youth (ages 6-18)
Military and Veterans
The American Legion Department of Alabama
Assistance for military personnel, vets, and their families, and Boys State program
NATIONAL
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of America
Community and site based mentoring for children and youth (ages 6-18)
National Foster Parent Association
nfpaonline.org/fostercare
National Council on the Aging
Economic, health and wellness resources, programs, tools, and advocacy for older adults
National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
Mental health information and events for children, adolescents, and adults
REPORT CHILD ABUSE
ALABAMA DHR (205) 669-3000
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
(205) 325-5700
Jefferson County DHR Hotline
(205) 423-4850
Prescott House Child Advocacy Center, Jefferson County
205-930-3622
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
(205) 669-4181
Shelby County DHR
(205) 669-3000
Shelby County Child Advocacy Center
(205) 669-3333
Documentaries and Movies
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.
Case Worker
PBS APTV Special documentary produced by Mike Ousley of Foster Coalition: Meet some of Alabama’s DHR caseworkers who work with the more than 6,000 foster children and families around the state. Follow workers as they do their jobs and hear why they are so committed to the work they do.
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
Ready Or Not: Thirty Days of Discovery for Foster and Adoptive Parents
Pam Parish
Ready Or Not for Battle-Weary Parents
Pam Parish
The Connected Child
Karyn Purvis, PhD
The Foster Parenting Manual
John DeGarmo, PhD
Faith & Foster Care: How We Impact God’s Kingdom
John DeGarmo, PhD
Parenting From The Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive
Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., Mary Hartzell, M.Ed.
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Dan Siegel, M.D.
No Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Dan J. Siegel, M.D., Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
Parenting The Hurt Child
Gregory Keck, PhD, Regina M. Kupecky, LCW
Reframing Foster Care
Jason Johnson
The Adoptive & Foster Parent Guide: How to Heal Your Child’s Trauma and Loss
Carol Lozier, MSW, LCSW
The Out-of-Sync Child
Carole Kranowitz, M.A.
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder
Carol Kranowitz, M.A.
Wounded Children, Healing Homes: How Traumatized Children Impact Adoptive and Foster Families
Jayne Schooler, Betsy Smalley, LSW, and Timothy Callahan, PsyD
Foster & Adoptive Parenting: Creativity, reflection, practical wisdom and encouragement for the trauma informed parent
Jessica Danae Robinson
Empowering Children of Cancer Patients: Supporting a Child Who’s Loved One has Cancer
Mesothelioma Hope
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
Children’s Book Donations for Jefferson County Family Court
Book donation program to provide free children’s books to foster kids when they come to the courthouse
Jefferson County Family Court Children’s Book Vending Machine
Life Books Links
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.