How to Become a Foster Parent in Alabama

With around 6,000 children in foster care in the state of Alabama, having foster parents ready to provide love and care to these children is important.

For those looking to become foster parents, the question is:

How do you become a foster parent in Alabama? What are the steps you need to take?

Instead of going through the journey and process alone, we can help. Below, we’ll show you the steps toward becoming a foster parent in Alabama, along with some information on what you can expect.

Who Can Be a Foster Parent in Alabama?

The short answer here is that anyone can become a foster parent in Alabama — there aren’t restrictions based on line of work, marital status, or any other traits.

However, there are some basic requirements for the state of Alabama to become a foster parent. Let’s look at those.

Alabama Foster Parent Requirements

For the state of Alabama, the foster parent requirements are as follows:

• At least 19 years old for traditional foster care and at least 25 years old for therapeutic foster care
• Either single or if living with your partner, married
• A home that meets the requirements of the Alabama Minimum Standards for Foster Family Homes
• A home that has enough space for a child in care and their possessions 
• The ability to provide a safe and stable home for a child in care
• Being in good health, along with your family members
• If you live with family, they need to be willing to share the home with a child in care
• If you live with family, they need to be willing to have a criminal background check

If you meet all of these requirements, congratulations — you’re ready to start the process of becoming a foster parent in Alabama!

Steps to Become a Foster Parent in Alabama

There are a few different steps involved, but we can help you get started. Here’s what you can expect.

Starting the Application Process

To become a foster parent in Alabama, you’ll start with an application. 

You could find the proper form yourself and fill it out — there’s an inquiry form located on Sevita's website that can get you started. After you fill out the form, a member of our team will follow up to answer your questions and walk you through the steps for becoming a foster parent.

Preparation Course

In Alabama, there’s  preservice sessions that all potential foster parents need to take.

Known as a “Trauma Informed Partnering for Permanence and Safety” (TIPPS) class, this session helps foster parents understand how to best provide care for children in need, including topics such as:

• Meeting safety needs
• Meeting developmental and well-being needs
• Share parenting with birth parents
• Support planning for permanency
• And more

Unlike some other states, this course is needed to become a foster parent in Alabama. 

Participating in the Home Study Assessment

To become a foster parent, you need to have a home study done.

Done by a social worker, home studies help figure out if the home is a safe space for a child to thrive. It involves talking about family dynamics, lifestyle, and why you want to become a foster parent. 

This step is not only a requirement but also a chance for people to think more about becoming foster parents. After all, it’s a big decision!

The Matching Process

In general, after an approved home study, the matching process takes place. The length of time to be matched with a child in Alabama depends on your preferences. If you are more open with your preferences, you will be matched with a child sooner. If you have more specific preferences, it might be a while before you are matched. 

The matching process takes into account the steps you went through and the needs of the child in care so the best match can be made for everyone.

Understanding the Responsibilities of Foster Parents in Alabama

When you become a foster parent, there are a set of responsibilities you need to know— some obvious, and others may not come to mind right away.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Foster parents need to provide a safe and nurturing space for their child — it’s the most important part of fostering!

For example, meeting basic needs, like shelter and nutrition, along with the chance to take part in hobbies or interests. 

Foster parents play a major role in creating a stable and routine life for kids, giving them a change from the challenges they may have faced before.

Addressing Emotional Needs

Understanding the emotional needs of children in care is another main responsibility of foster parents. 

Helping foster children feel safe, loved, and a part of the family allows them to heal. Kids in care may need extra patience and help dealing with their feelings.

Solving Educational Needs

Children in care need education, too!

Foster parents need to help children in care with their schooling. By working together with teachers and other professionals, foster parents help kids in care meet specific needs and beat challenges faced in school. 

Building Positive Relationships

Building positive relationships is a big part of the responsibilities of foster parents. 

We’re not only talking about the relationship between foster parent and child — this also includes connections with their birth parents, if possible.

Foster parents help build these relationships and understand their importance for a child in care. 

Advocating for a Child in Care

Foster parents have to serve as advocates for children in care. 

This could mean being in reviews and court hearings, along with giving input on their well-being and progress. 

Advocacy also means making sure that their child’s voice is heard and their best interests are considered in decisions related to their future.

Preparing Them For Adulthood

Children in care eventually grow up — we want them to have the best possible future!

Foster parents need to help prepare a child in care for adulthood — this involves providing emotional support and making sure that they are ready for what’s to come like teaching foster teens how to budget, save money, and what help will be available for them if they age out of care.

Support for Foster Parents in Alabama

Becoming a foster parent is a big decision — but even after you decide to become a foster parent, you’re not alone!

Foster parents in Alabama have support options available to help them on their journey. Here are a few examples.

Financial Assistance

Foster parents in Alabama receive a monthly allowance specifically to help with the costs of caring for a child.

In Alabama, this amount ranges from $462 to $501, on average and $840 to $930, on average for therapeutic foster care.

This support helps with everything from basics, like food and clothing, to educational expenses, extracurricular activities, and other needs. 

Preservice Sessions

Ongoing training is important for foster parents in Alabama.

Beyond the initial training required by the state of Alabama, these sessions can help foster parents learn more about how to give the best care for children, offering training into the needs of foster children and giving parents a platform for ongoing learning. 

Sessions may include topics such as:

• Trauma-informed care 
• Effective communication
• Child psychology
• And more

Alabama ensures that foster parents are ready to provide the best possible space to the children in their care. For example, you can find resources on the Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parent Association website. 

Supportive Communities

One of the best support systems you can have as a foster parent is the support of others who understand the journey.

Whether you attend in-person or online communities on social networking or forums, you’ll be able to relate to other foster parents, ask questions, and rely on others in the community. 

The sense of community created by these networks is important for motivation, resilience, and well-being.

Sevita’s Upcoming Webinar Can Help Potential Foster Parents in Alabama

Ready to become a foster parent? 

If so, our upcoming webinar can help point you in the right direction.

By attending a free Foster Parent Information Session Webinar and learning more about the fostering process, you can take the first step toward becoming a foster parent and providing a safe, loving, and supportive home for a child in need. 

Sign up for our webinar today, or call our local office to get started!