DHR’s Family Services Division has been chosen to receive one of five Federal Discretionary Grants awarded nationwide by the Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau. This competitive research grant is designed to test comprehensive family assessment models in order to improve outcomes for children.
The grant award, effective September 30, 2007, is $400,000 per fiscal year and will extend until 2012 for a total of $2,000,000. It was written in partnership with ACTION for Child Protection, Inc., a nationally recognized organization that is considered a leader in child protective services.
“Our Department of Human Resources has made tremendous progress during the past few years. Today, we’re held up as a model for other states to follow. This $2 million grant will help us make even more improvements that ultimately benefit children in Alabama,” said Governor Bob Riley.
DHR will use the grant to develop a new comprehensive family assessment model called “Protective Capacity Family Assessment.” This model will be used during all phases of the Department’s child welfare involvement with the family---not just during the child abuse/neglect investigative phase.
“This grant provides us with a great opportunity to build an assessment model that can make Alabama’s excellent child welfare practice even better.” said Commissioner Page Walley. “Our County Directors are very excited about this project and look forward to working together with community providers such as the courts and other service providers.”
The 3 pilot sites for this research project are Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties.
The project will involve a rigorous research component and, if successful, the assessment model will be provided statewide.