Foster Family Resources
At Circle Ranch our primary purpose is to provide safe and loving homes to foster children as they navigate being a part of the child welfare system. We understand the struggles and commitment that comes with being a foster, adoptive, or kinship family and we also want to be a resource for help and encouragement to those parents making this commitment. We are expanding our use of the facilities at Circle Ranch to include offering regular training/educational opportunities that are required by DHR for their initial certification and continuing education requirements. This section of our website will list these opportunities and contact information if you have questions or need to register for a session. We also partner with several great churches in the area to provide free childcare on the Circle Ranch property during these sessions so your children will be well cared for in a safe and nurturing environment.
Contact/Registration Info for Training:
thecircleranchfamilies@gmail.com
June 22, 2024
TBA
9-11 a.m. Chapel Building
Childcare by Central Park Baptist GAL Panel Q & A
Oct 5, 2024
TBA
9-11 a.m. Chapel Building
Childcare (mini VBS by First Bible Church)
Aug 17, 2024
TBA
9-11 a.m. Chapel Building
​Childcare by Trinity Baptist Church
Are You Interested in How to Become a Foster Parent?
If so, you need to meet some requirements set by the Department of Human Resources (DHR). According to the DHR website and other sources, these requirements include:
• You must be at least 19 years old.
• You must have a safe, comfortable and spacious home for the child and their belongings.
• You must be able to verify a regular source of income.
• You must be willing to share your home with a child who needs care and support.
• You must be in good health and have a medical examination.
• You must undergo a background check for all adults in the home.
• You must complete a 30-hour preparation course and receive information on how to provide foster care.
• You must have a home study conducted by a DHR social worker.
These requirements are designed to ensure that foster children receive the best possible care and protection. Foster parents also receive monthly payments, social worker support, and other services from DHR. If you want to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Alabama, you can fill out a Foster Care Inquiry Form or contact your local DHR office.
Foster care is a system that provides temporary care for children who cannot live with their biological parents due to abuse, neglect, or other reasons. In Alabama, there were 5,960 children in foster care at the end of fiscal year 2021, the lowest number since 2016. However, there were still 1,761 children waiting to be adopted, with an average age of 7.9 years and an average wait time of 28.7 months. Most children in foster care (68%) were placed with non-relative foster parents, while 15% were placed with relatives and 5% were in group homes. The state also reported 47 child fatalities due to maltreatment in 2020, an increase from 34 in 2019.
According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, there are about 6,000 children in foster care in the state. These children come from different backgrounds and situations, but they all share the need for a caring and committed family that can provide them with a safe and comfortable home. Some children may only need foster care for a few days, while others may need it until they find a permanent adoptive family.
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or learning more about foster care in Alabama, you can contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources at 866-4AL-Kids (866-425-5437) or families4ALkids@dhr.alabama.gov. You can also visit their website at https://dhr.alabama.gov/foster-care/ or https://www.alabamafostercare.org/. You can also check out the profiles of some of the children who are waiting for adoption at https://www.adoptuskids.org/states/al/browse.aspx
Other Links to local organizations related to fostering children
CASA Link: https://www.casaofnorthalabama.org/
FACES Link : https://facesofmorganco.org/
Seasonal Family Events at Circle Ranch:
We host three events each year at Circle Ranch: A Fall Festival, an Easter Celebration, and a Summer Back-to-School Bash! We invite foster, adoptive, and kinship families from the surrounding area to come to the Ranch for a day of free fun, fellowship, and relaxation in the safe environment of the Ranch. We provide food, games, hayrides, inflatables, and special treats for the children corresponding to the theme of the event.
Foster Closet:
Circle Ranch has a “foster closet” stocked with clothes, some toys, school supplies, and other basic needs. Foster placements often arrive without some of these basic needs so if you are a licensed foster parent in the area, please contact us to learn more if this resource might be useful for you.
Groceries Distribution:
Circle Ranch is fortunate to partner with AFAPA/GAP (Alabama Foster & Adoptive Assoc./Grandparents as Parents) and One Generation Away to be a distribution resource for grocery & food items benefitting foster families in our immediate area. These grocery/food items are usually received every two weeks, sorted and then distributed based on a first come-first-served basis using a group text list of licensed foster parents. If you are a licensed foster parent within Morgan, Lawrence, or Cullman counties and would like to learn more about this resource, please send an email to thecircleranchfamilies@gmail.com.
Training Opportunities:
Check here for upcoming training opportunities for foster families hosted at Circle Ranch. Local church partners provide childcare on site during the training.