Foster Care at Childhaven

Children in need of careing homes!
     All across the state of Alabama, literally thousands of children are in need of a caring and loving foster family. Over 5,000 children in Alabama are unable to live with their biological parents.
     Some are like Amy, who is less than one year of age, and whose little body showed her abuse (she was covered with cigarette burns.) Some are like Mark, whose sad dark eyes began to brighten when he learned that he could play on the super sized swing set at his foster family home. (On the way to the home, Mark asked the social worker if his foster parents would starve him, or lock him in a closet. His father had evidently told him these things would occur.) Others are like John, a young teen who was upset because he had been removed from his mother. She suffered from alcoholism, and John had repeatedly protected her from an abusive boy friend. Each of these children needed a safe, caring, and loving foster family. Perhaps you are whom they need.

Who can be a foster parent?
     At Childhaven, nearly any faithful Christian can become a foster parent. Many of Childhaven’s foster parents are married couples. Some are young couples; others have already raised their family. Single women and men have also served as effective foster parents. Widows and widowers can serve. As Childhaven is supported primarily by Churches of Christ, each foster family must be a member of the independent Church of Christ.

FAQ’S (Frequently Asked Questions:
     What type of support do we receive as a foster parent? As a Childhaven foster parent, you will work directly with a Childhaven Social Worker. The two of you will work together to formulate the best plan for serving the child in your care. The social workers seek to provide you with all the tools you need to be effective as a foster parent! Childhaven also provides ongoing training, and opportunities to meet with other Childhaven foster families.
     Do the children have medical insurance? Foster parents do not have to be concerned about medical expenses. Most foster children are on Medicaid, or have private insurance. Foster families do not have to be responsible for these costs.
     Are we paid? Yes. Foster Parents receive a monthly, tax exempt, boarding rate of $225 - $275 per month, depending upon the age of the child.
     Do we have a choice on whether or not to accept a given child? Absolutely! During training, foster parents will evaluate the ages and gender of children best suited for their home. When contacted about accepting a child into care, foster parents can decide whether or not to take a child, based upon that child’s unique needs, and upon the needs at the time of the foster family.

Adoption and foster parenting
     Due to recent changes in federal law, many foster parents are now able to adopt the children. The law now states that when a child becomes available for adoption, the foster parents must be considered as adoptive parents, should they desire to adopt. Many families who are interested in adopting are now becoming foster parents.

How do we begin?
The first step is to contact Childhaven (Chldhvn@hiwaay.net or (256) 734-6720.) When writing or calling, please indicate your interest in learning more about foster parents, and provide your phone number and mailing address.
     One of Childhaven’s social workers will then talk with you about foster parenting, and will seek to answer all of your questions. Then, you will fill out a foster parent application.
     Once the application is received, a home study will be conducted. The next step will be training, followed by licensure. Once your home is licensed, a child will be placed as soon as is possible.
     But, the first step is to contact Childhaven. Alabama’s children are waiting for you to call.