What is the role of social services departments?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Social Services Departments in the State of Alabama
The state of Alabama provides a robust system of social services designed to support and uplift vulnerable and marginalized individuals and families. Coordinated through various dedicated departments statewide, these practical and essential services offer a wide range of functions including health, food assistance, child services, and resources for the elderly.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)
DHR provides a multitude of services to Alabama residents. The department aims to protect those who cannot protect themselves, encourages family stability, and promotes self-reliant and economic self-sufficiency. The assistance is aimed towards low-income individuals and families and those who are experiencing significant hardship or challenges.
Food Assistance
DHR administers the federal food assistance program, known locally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This service is available for low-income individuals and families and uses an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to help people buy healthy food.
Child Protective Services
DHR also provides protective services for children, including child abuse prevention, foster care, adoption, and child daycare licensing. The child protective services are available to all children under the age of 18 in the state of Alabama.
Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
The ADPH offers a wide variety of services aimed at promoting and ensuring public health in the state of Alabama. These services are available to all Alabama residents.
Family Health Services
Family health services include maternity, family planning, children's health, and breastfeeding support. In addition, infant and child death prevention and education services are also available.
Chronic Disease Management
The ADPH provides services and programs designed to help manage and prevent common chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS)
The ADSS is dedicated to providing seniors, disabled people, and caregivers with assistance and information. Eligibility is generally for Alabama residents aged 60 and over, but some services are available to disabled individuals of any age.
Alabama Cares Program
This program provides counseling and training for caregivers. The service is available to anyone serving as an unpaid caregiver to an adult age 60 or older or to an individual of any age with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.
Legal Assistance
The ADSS offers free legal help for senior citizens who are facing legal issues, such as elder abuse, healthcare, housing, and public benefits disputes.