Foster Care

ADAP advocated for children with disabilities in foster care for many years under the R.C. Consent Decree, an agreement entered into by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) and counsel representing children being cared for by DHR. While the court case which led to the Consent Decree was terminated by the federal court in 2007, the Decree's principles have been incorporated into state law governing Alabama's child welfare system.

Children in foster care continue to benefit from ADAP's advocacy services in the areas of special education, the effective delivery of services for youth transitioning to adulthood, appropriate community based and behavioral services for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges, monitoring of safety and well-being in residential treatment facilities, and, when necessary, the investigation of abuse and neglect allegations.

Resources

Extended Medicaid Eligibility to age 26 for Former Foster Care Youth - As of January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act allows certain foster care children to receive Medicaid health coverage until age 26. 

A Family Guide to Individualized Service Plans (ISPs) - How to write an ISP that is family and child centered.

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