Alabama Department of Human Resources

The Department of Human Resources was created in 1935 to administer to the assistance programs that were part of the Social Security Act. These programs were developed to help an American public that was suffering through the financial hardships of the Great Depression. The agency's original name was the Department of Public Welfare. In 1955, it was renamed the Department of Pensions and Security. The current name was adopted in 1986. Some programs have changed over the years to meet the changing needs of Alabama. However, the agency's primary goal has always been and always will be to help people in need.

The agency currently has about 4,200 State Merit System employees, most of whom work in the agency's 67 county departments. Although the agency employs a wide variety of professionals, social workers represent the largest category of DHR employees.

• ILP Goals Independent Living Program Goals
• Foster Care Currently in Alabama, there are over five thousand children in foster care. Some simply need foster care for a matter of days. Others may need foster care until they are reunited with their biological family or a plan is made for them to be adopted. All of these children share the need for a caring and committed family that can bring them the future they deserve.
• Child Support Payment Information Click here for information regarding child support payments on your case.
• Public Assistance Information about the Public Assistance program administered by the Family Assistance Division
• Family Coaches Program Information about the family coaches program
• Resource Management Division Information about the office of Resource Development and Management/Family Preservation and Support
• Alabama Fatherhood Initiative The Fatherhood Initiative is a joint effort of the Department of Human Resources (DHR) Child Support Enforcement and Family Assistance programs. The Fatherhood Initiative was developed to further the welfare reform goal of strengthening families, to enhance child support collections, and to address other needs of children who are growing up without the involvement of natural fathers in their lives.
• Families 4 Alabama’s Kids DHR Presents Families 4 Alabama's Kids
• Child Support Enforcement Child Support Enforcement locates parents, establishes paternity, obtains child support payments, and enforces child support orders. Child Support services are available to both custodial and non-custodial parents.
• Adoption The primary mission of the Office of Adoption is to secure an adoptive family for children in the Department of Human Resources' permanent custody. The Department of Human Resources has the responsibility of securing adoptive homes for children in foster care who become available for adoption through termination of parental rights.
• Child Care Services Child Day Care provides Alabama's families equal access to affordable quality child care services and is responsible for the licensing and renewal of licenses for Child Care Centers.
• D.R.E.A.M Council D.R.E.A.M Council
• JOBS Information about the JOBS Program administered by the Family Assistance Division
• Adult Protective Services Adult Protective Services investigates reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults 18 years of age or older who are unable to protect themselves due to mental or physical disabilities or advanced age. Adult Protective Services also assists adults to live independently within their own communities while preventing unnecessary institutionalization.
• Transitional Child Care (TCC) Individuals leaving FA are eligible for TCC
• Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

Case Management

Case management is a variety of activities designed to plan and seek services from various social agencies and staff on behalf of clients. Activities include assessing the need for services, case planning, arranging for services, social support, reassessment/follow-up, and monitoring. Through case management services the social worker/case manager is able to assess the progress of a client who requires the services of multiple professionals, agencies, health care facilities and human service programs..

Information and Referral

This service provides caregivers and other individuals with current information on programs, services and resources within their communities.
 

Adult Day Care is a program of care for a portion of a 24 hour day in a protective setting for eligible adults 18 years of age and older. This service is for the adult who needs care during the day and to provide meals and supervision to individuals who live alone and cannot manage totally on his/her own. Adult Day Care enables the family to maintain the adult at home. It is designed to prevent or remedy abuse, neglect, or exploitation or unnecessary institutionalization..

Adult Foster Care

Service is provided in approved homes on a 24-hour basis for individuals who are 18 years of age or older who because of their physical, mental or emotional limitations are unable to live alone and who have no families with whom they can live. For more information, click here to complete an online inquiry form.

Targeted Case Management (TCM) is a program of services to assist specifically identified groups of persons in gaining access to needed medical, social, educational and other services. The adult population to be served through TCM consists of individuals 18 years of age or older who are (1) at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation or (2) at risk of institutionalization due to his/her caretaker(s) inability to provide the minimum sufficient level of care in his/her home..

Homemaker
Homemaker service is a program for eligible adults 18 years of age and older who are at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or unnecessary institutionalization. This service is available for the adult who needs house keeping assistance with tasks he/she is unable to accomplish and who has no one to perform the tasks. The service allows the adult to remain independent and continue to reside in his/her own home. Homemaker service is only provided through Merit System employees in five designated counties.

Component Services

• Diagnosis/Evaluation

This service allows for the assessment of cognitive processes, emotions, communication skills, and problems of adjustment and behavior through administration and/or interpretation of tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, emotions, motivation, and personality characteristics. An evaluation of the adult's physical and/or mental condition and ability may be necessary to determine the appropriateness of placement and establish or reestablish a plan of care for the person in need of protective services..

• Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health counseling is provided for protective services clients who need treatment by individual interview, group counseling, family counseling and/or collateral counseling. This service may include supportive counseling, behavioral modification techniques, evaluation and assistance regarding social adjustment..

Emergency Shelter Care
This limited service provides room, board and supervision to adults in crisis situations who are in danger of experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation. .

DHR Limited Payment to Nursing Homes
Limited nursing home payment is only available as a result of a founded adult protective service report when nursing home placement is necessay and the client has no individual or family resources. This service allows for the payment of drugs, medical treatment, personal items or services not covered by Medicaid.