Alabama Child Welfare Watch

• Decatur woman charged with chemical endangerment after girl exposed to methamphetamines and amphetamines
• Case stemmed from joint investigation by...

Foster care crisis persists in Lauderdale County and statewide, with ~70 children currently in care needing safe homes.

Community action needed: DHR...

Alabama's Judiciary Standing Committee held a meeting on SB336 by Barfoot, targeting limited exceptions to licensing for DHR child-care facilities and procedures for child abuse investigations. Key watch for policy shifts.

Children’s Aid Society launches drive to raise $20,000 for suitcases packed with essentials for every Alabama foster care high school senior.

• Stark...

West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force scores first arrest for AI-generated CSAM: Richard Wayne Smalley, 40, charged after tip on nude child image...

Severe child assault shakes Alabama home: Young boy, covered in blood, ran for help after mother allegedly beat him severely. Neighbors called police; he's hospitalized, she's in custody – spotlighting potential DHR removal trigger in abuse cases.

Senate Judiciary Committee advances Child Protection Program Bill and several other bills on child welfare, plus measures on mental health for firearms and military protective orders.

29-year-old center prevents child retraumatization via one-stop services in a child-friendly space.

Key support for DHR investigations:

• Free core...

Covington County DHR launches free 10-week foster parent training starting March 16 to meet urgent needs for 36 kids in care.

• Classes: Mondays 6-9...

Tragic hot car death of a 3-year-old boy in Alabama DHR custody prompts charges against a former DHR contractor, underscoring contractor accountability in post-removal care.

The mother of a missing Alabama toddler has hired a lawyer and wants her $1 million cash bond lowered.

Alabama's nonprofit innovation in privatized foster care accelerates permanency, protects families, and prioritizes trauma healing.

• National model...

DHR's Swift Reporting in Action: A Lee County DHR employee filed a Jan. 29 report alleging sexual abuse of a child under 12, prompting sheriff's...

• SB 239 (Sen. Smitherman, D-Birmingham): Removes child custody provision making emergency temporary placements final unless a proceeding follows...

• Federal cuts hit hard: Owens House faces a significant cut last year and 10% more this year from state-passed federal funds, prompting outreach to...

• Chilling incident: 4-year-old boy found walking dirt road in pajamas/socks, 26°F with 16° wind chill & snow flurries, out ~30 minutes.
• Father...

Legislative Action on Child Welfare Reporting

• 🔥 HB72 Passes House: The Alabama House passed HB72 requiring mandatory reporting to DHR when a...

Key Impacts on Alabama Child Welfare:

• DHR Burden Grows: Child smelling marijuana triggers report to DHR for abuse/neglect investigation.
• Broad...

Parents unleashed raw frustrations at Alabama DHR's public oversight meeting, citing delays, unlawful seizures, and broken families.

• DHR's Smith...

Owens Cross Roads files suit against Pathways juvenile center, demanding it cease operations due to repeated riots, escapes, and police calls despite...