Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Alabama, foster care is managed by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). It is designed as a temporary arrangement for children who are unable to live with their biological families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other family issues. Foster care provides a safe, nurturing environment for these children, which can include placement with relatives (kinship care) or with state-approved foster parents. There are also other types of placements such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The goal of the foster care system in Alabama is to provide a stable and supportive environment for children while working towards family reunification, adoption, or, for older youth, successful transition to adulthood. The state statutes governing foster care in Alabama can be found in the Alabama Code Title 38 - Public Welfare, and federal laws such as the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) also guide foster care practices.