Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC)
Providing free comprehensive support to the adoption constellation and foster families.
Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) is a collaborative effort between the Children’s Aid Society of Alabama and the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
APAC services are available to all members of adoptive families. We also provide services to foster family members, prospective adoptive families, kinship care families, and professionals involved with the foster/adoptive population.
Our three major service areas are:
- Preparing to Adopt
- Family Services
- Training and Resources
Preparing to Adopt
- Expert Guidance
- A Supportive Environment
- Personalized Assistance
How to Adopt in Alabama
If you’re curious about how adoption works in Alabama, our Adoption Orientation video is a great place to start! The video provides an overview of the process and information about requirements, qualifications, and legal considerations. It also details how APAC can support you along the way with stories from adoptive parents who’ve been supported by APAC.
Completing the form does not indicate a commitment to adopting at this time, so there is no pressure! We use the form to track our interactions so we can provide better answers to individuals interested in adoption in Alabama.
Curious about adoption?
If you complete this interest form, our team will reach out to you personally to answer your questions. Don’t worry, there is no commitment to begin the adoption journey. We’re here to support you wherever you are in the process.
Family Services
We offer various free support services specifically designed to meet the needs of adoptive and foster families, from counseling and support groups to post-adoption resources.
Our APAC special events are informal networking opportunities for families to get acquainted and be supported by one another. Parents and children meet, share, learn new things, and enjoy time together.
Adoptive Family Groups (AFGs) meet throughout Alabama and online to bring people together in a supportive and educational environment. The groups are led by a therapist and focus on topics chosen for each group’s particular needs and interests.
APAC provides comprehensive trauma-informed counseling and referral services to support ALL of Alabama’s adoptive families. We understand the unique challenges and concerns that can arise during your adoption journey, and we’re here to help.
Our Counseling Process
Intake and Assessment: Our thorough intake process helps us understand your family’s specific needs, allowing us to tailor our counseling and support to address your circumstances.
Licensed Counselors: Our counseling team consists of licensed, master-level professionals who are adoption-certified and specialize in adoption and trauma-related issues.
Ongoing Counseling: We provide ongoing counseling sessions designed to provide guidance, coping strategies, and emotional support as you navigate the intricacies of adoption.
Crisis Intervention: We offer crisis intervention sessions for families facing immediate challenges or uncertainties regarding their adoption, aimed to facilitate permanency and strong, healthy family connections.
Flexible Locations: Sessions can be conducted in-office, in-home, or virtually based on the needs of each family. We strive to create a comfortable and convenient environment, ensuring that counseling services are accessible and accommodating. See a list of our our physical locations here.
FREE of Cost: Most services are completely free of cost. We believe that every adoptive family in Alabama deserves access to the support they need.
We host an annual 4-day camp for adopted children and their siblings ages 9-18. Campers get the opportunity to spend time with other kids with similar backgrounds, and parents enjoy a time of respite.
We host an annual 4-day camp for adopted children and their siblings ages 9-18. Campers get the opportunity to spend time with other kids with similar backgrounds, and parents enjoy a time of respite.
We host an annual 4-day camp for adopted children and their siblings ages 9-18. Campers get the opportunity to spend time with other kids with similar backgrounds, and parents enjoy a time of respite.
Our Facebook group, The Adoption Adventure: For Adoptive Parents in Alabama, is a closed and private group for parents to connect and share resources and information with each other.
We ask members of the group to respect each other, avoid using their child(ren)’s identifying information, and avoid using profanity. Everything posted on the Facebook group is confidential and should not be shared outside of the group.
Training and Resources
We provide essential training and resources that will enhance your knowledge and skills as an adoptive or foster parent or professional working with adoptive and foster families. We offer webinars, workshops, seminars, and online resources to address various aspects of adoption and family life.
Library
APAC hosts the largest adoption and foster library in Alabama. Our resources are free and can be checked out in person or online and shipped for free anywhere in Alabama.
- Books, DVDs, magazines, CDs, and more
- List of sample resources
- Online check out
- Free shipping to anywhere in Alabama
- Free return packaging and postage
- Foster parents can receive a certificate of participation to exchange for credit hours
- Read our Online Library
- Quick Guide
Training Opportunities
APAC’s statewide training events and live interactive webinars for both families and professionals increase understanding of adoption- and foster-related topics. Professionals can earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for on-site trainings, live webinar participation, and on-demand training courses.
Online Training: On-demand training and certification for adoptive parents, foster families, and professionals.
Webinars: Live online free events offered throughout the year with topics relevant to the needs of adoptive and foster families.
On-Site Training: Schedule a formal, professional training session developed by APAC.
Trained Therapist Network (TTN)
TTN is a statewide seminar event for professionals that brings in national experts in childhood trauma, attachment, grief and loss, permanency, and other adoption-related topics.
Training for Adoption Competency (TAC)
TAC is a professional training in partnership with C.A.S.E. that addresses the needs of members in the entire adoption constellation for quality mental health services. TAC is accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and is the ONLY accredited certificate program in adoption competency in the country.
Trauma Informed Parenting Strategies (TIPS)
TIPS provides free adoption preparation courses required by the state of Alabama to adopt a child. We offer courses in each of our satellite locations throughout the year.
Permanency Conference
Our annual statewide Permanency Conference brings three days of focused training on meeting the needs of foster and adopted children and their families every spring. The conference is for anyone who serves adopted and foster children as well as adoptive and foster parents. We aim to provide a rich experience where participants can take part in relevant, engaging, and practical workshops to help them feel more confident and hopeful for the work they do. We provide it in a relaxed setting with self-care opportunities. We also offer contact, clinical, and ethics hours for professional attendees.
Children’s Aid Society of Alabama is an approved Continuing Education provider by the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners (Provider #0039) and the National Board of Certified Counselors (Provider #6459).
Get Connected
Our dedicated APAC adoption and support teams are here to assist you every step of the way. Whether you have questions, need referrals, or seek guidance during your adoption journey, get in touch any time. We look forward to being part of your adoption journey and providing the support you need.
