Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Image by Ryan McGill
In Walker County, the need for foster families has never been greater. With over 150 children currently in care and only about 50 foster parents, the discrepancy highlights the urgent call for community support.
Tracy Handley, a professional in child welfare at the Walker County Department of Human Resources (DHR), spoke to The Walker Leader to shed light on the needs of the foster and adoption system and how the community can get involved.
One of the most pressing challenges is the need for foster parents willing to care for children of all ages—not just infants. The process starts with contacting DHR to express interest, followed by enrollment in foster parent training classes.
DHR provides comprehensive support to prospective foster and adoptive parents through a ten-week course called TIPS (Trauma-Informed Partnering for Permanence and Safety). This training equips families with the tools to navigate the complexities of fostering.
“We try to prepare potential foster parents for what to expect—how to handle behaviors, deal with challenging situations, and interact with the child’s biological family,” Handley explained. The preparation process also includes home visits, during which caseworkers engage with all family members to ensure readiness.
A key quality DHR looks for in foster parents is the ability to form strong emotional bonds with children. While some worry about becoming too attached, Handley reassures prospective parents that attachment is a positive and necessary part of the process.
“Some of these children do not know how to form healthy attachments,” she said. “We need people who can show them what that looks like and guide them to learn coping skills and how to just be kids.”
One common misconception is that children will be abruptly removed from foster homes and returned to their biological families. Handley clarified, “We have a process. It’s very rare for a child to be moved on the same day without notice. We work to prepare foster families for transitions and offer support services if needed.”
She also highlighted the joy of seeing families reunite when biological parents make significant progress. “When a child wants to go home because their parent has done so well, you want to support that—it’s about keeping families together whenever possible.”
Not everyone is in a position to become a foster parent, but there are many other ways to contribute. DHR accepts tax-deductible charitable cash donations for items that children and families need.
Additionally, donations of items like pajamas and overnight bags for children entering care remain a vital need.
For those unable to commit to full-time fostering, DHR offers opportunities to provide emergency or respite placements. These involve caring for children on a short-term basis, either during transitional periods or to give full-time foster parents a break. The preparation process for these roles is the same as for full-time foster parents, ensuring that families are well-equipped for their responsibilities.
Becoming a foster parent—or supporting those who are—can change a child’s life forever. To learn more about fostering, adoption, or ways to help, contact the Walker County Department of Human Resources. Community involvement, whether big or small, has the potential to bring stability, love, and hope to children in need right here in Walker County. WL
The Walker County Department of Human Resources (DHR) is located at 1901 Highway 78 West, Jasper, AL 35501. Contact the office by phone at 205-387-5400 during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
