Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner addressed lawmakers on Wednesday about the challenges faced by the state’s foster care system. The majority of young children in foster care are there due to parental drug abuse, which affects the ability of parents to keep their children safe. Buckner shared a story of a mother who locked her children in the house while she went out, highlighting the dangers involved.
Buckner emphasized the need for rehabilitation programs to prevent similar situations, but noted that DHR is often not involved with parents until they have children. She also discussed relinquishments, another major reason children are placed in foster care, especially for older children.
Lawmakers expressed concerns about the need for collaboration between state agencies and the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation. Rep. Chris Blackshear noted that building more prisons is not the solution to the problem of children in foster care due to parental issues.
Currently, there are 5,906 children in foster care in Alabama, with a focus on permanency and getting children back to their biological families. Buckner also highlighted the challenges DHR faces in recruiting and retaining staff due to the stressful and unpredictable work environment.
Overall, Buckner stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of children entering foster care and the need for a collaborative approach to support families and children in the state.
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