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
Adoption and Foster Care Agencies
Agape
Foster care and adoption agency, and foster parent training
Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries
Foster care, group foster homes, foster parent training, family care for mothers, and trauma counseling
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
lifelinechild.org
Aging Out and At-Risk Support
Second Shift
Basic care services, connection programs, mentors, mentor training, and transitional housing assistance
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
childhaven.com
King’s Home
Residential homes with transition counseling, education, childcare, transportation, job and life skills training
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
Counseling and Mental Health
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorders
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
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
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alabama
Mental healthcare support, education, resources for individuals and families
National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
Mental health information and events for children, adolescents, and adults
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
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
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
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
Driving and Vehicles
Hearts of Wheels
Driver’s training, transportation, insurance referrals for at-risk youth
Shelby Baptist Association
Vehicles in Shelby County and beyond
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)
Jefferson County Board of Education
jefcoed.com
Pelham City Schools
Education and school counseling in Shelby County
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
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
feedingal.org
Mission Alabama
Food bank
missionalabama.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
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
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
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 Jefferson County
DHR Shelby County
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
CPC Shelby County
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Training, visitation and supervision, and local training for juvenile court appointed special advocate volunteers
Alabama CASA
CASA of Cheaha Region
CASA of Cullman County
CASA of Shelby County
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
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
Kinship Families and Guardians
Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association (AFAPA)
Adoptive, foster, and kinship parent association: provides 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
m4a.org
National Council on the Aging
Economic, health and wellness resources, programs, tools, and advocacy for older adults
Mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
Community and site based mentoring for children and youth (ages 6-18)
bbbs.org
BBBS of Alabama
BBBS of Greater Birmingham
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
heartgalleryalabama.com
Vineyard Family Services
Parenting, mediation, mentoring and youth services, food boxes, diapers and wipes
Military and Veterans
The American Legion Department of Alabama
Assistance for military personnel, vets, and their families, and Boys State program
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
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
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
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.