Alabama Department of Human Resources
Commission considers center to provide resources for caregiver grandparents
A state commission is considering recommending the creation of centers that provide resources for grandparents who care for their grandchildren. Keith Lowhorne, vice-president of Kinship for the Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parents Association, suggested the idea during a Tuesday meeting of the Joint Interim Study Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, touting it as one avenue […]
Alabama Department of Human Resources funding to fall 15% as federal COVID funding stops
The end of the COVID emergency will mean a 15% cut in the Alabama Department of Human Resources’ (DHR) funding in the current fiscal year, due to declines in federal funding. DHR estimates that its operating budget will fall by about $123 million over the 2023-24 fiscal year, which runs through Sept. 30 of next […]
Alabama’s adult foster care program sees growth in interest amid promotional campaign
A advertising push for Alabama’s adult foster care program appears to be working. The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has seen a significant increase in calls from potential providers since the department ramped up efforts to grow its adult foster care program. Billie Robinson, program supervisor for DHR Adult Protective Services, said that in […]
Alabama Department of Human Resources struggling to attract staff
The Alabama Department of Human Resources is still struggling to attract staff, Commissioner Nancy Buckner told the department’s board on Thursday. Buckner said there are “at least” 400 vacant positions in the department across the state. In Jefferson County, Alabama’s most populous county, DHR needs to fill almost 70 positions. “The majority of our problem […]
New round of bonuses for child care workers aim to support underpaid workforce
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced that childcare providers will receive another round of bonuses from the Child Care Workforce Stabilization grants. The window to apply for the grants began Tuesday. Licensed child care providers may apply for these grants whose goal is to provide financial assistance to employees in the industry as […]
Alabama Senate committee approves $3 billion General Fund budget
The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Wednesday approved a $3 billion General Fund budget, setting it up for a vote in the chamber as early as Thursday. The proposal is slightly smaller than the House version of the General Fund, passed on April 26, but would be about $162 million larger than the […]
Alabama council wants to boost visibility of elder abuse registry
A council of state agencies and organizations that work with the older population want to promote new registry that compiles confirmed reports of elder abuse, such as sexual abuse or financial exploitation. The Interagency Council for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, established and overseen by the Department of Senior Services, is a group of organizations […]
DHR to provide summer food assistance to children with SNAP benefits
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) plans to dispense food assistance to over half a million children who receive free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program. The benefits will come through the Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. “Every dollar of support from programs like P-EBT strengthens their spending […]
Alabama restarts adult foster care program with help from ARPA
These four women may not have their own sitcom. But they do share a home. And seem thankful for being friends. Valinda Young cares for three women in Enterprise. Young, 65, is a licensed foster care provider for adults in Alabama. The three women are part of Alabama’s Adult Foster Care program, which provides a […]
Commissioners of state health agencies cite staffing issues in budget requests
During budget hearings Wednesday, Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner underlined the difficulties in retaining staff. The Alabama Department of Human Resources had a turnover rate of 64% among its child welfare staff last year, she said. That was up from 46% percent the prior year. Buckner said that hiring and retaining workers […]
Latest round of child care worker bonuses aim to help low-paid workforce
The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) will accept grant applications for child care staffing bonuses aimed at recruiting and retaining workers in the industry. Licensed childcare providers have until March 17 to apply for this round of grants, which provide $3,000 in quarterly bonuses for full-time employees and $1,500 for part-time employees, DHR said […]