When substitute care becomes necessary, children should be placed in the least restrictive setting possible. This means the most family-like setting that can provide the environment and services needed to serve the child's best interests and special needs. In substitute care, relative placement should always be given first consideration after which Foster Family Care, Group Home Care, and Institutional Care are to be considered in that order. If the Department places children in foster family homes/unrelated homes, group homes and child care institutions, these placement resources are required to be in approved/licensed status except as otherwise ordered by a court of law.
Author: Jerome Webb
Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-28-.05
Statutory Authority: The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 ( P.L. 96-272).