Our History
In 1974, the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama Inc. were opened as an alternative to jail. The homes were established by concerned citizens to help at-risk, troubled, and abused youth stay out of detention and live in a safe, caring environment. The ultimate goal is to help these young people become responsible and productive citizens. After a few weeks most youth will go home or be placed in foster care or long-term group homes
About Us
Referrals
The children are referred to our program through Juvenile Court System. Referrals are a result of police action, divorce, severe family conflicts, or friction resulting from discipline or behavior problems in school. Although our homes primarily serve Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin Counties, we will serve any county on a "room available" basis
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors for the Northwest Alabama Attention Homes is a group of volunteers representing Colbert, Lauderdale, and Franklin Counties. They are actively involved in formulating policy, fund-raising, publicity, securing volunteers and long-range planning
Funding
The homes are a United Way agency licensed by the Department of Youth Services of Alabama. Funding for the homes come from various sources, including the Alabama Department of Youth Services, county and city governments, individuals, civic organizations, and churches. The homes also receive grants through Children's Trust Fund of Alabama
The Homes
The Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama operates two residential facilities, a Boy's Home in Sheffield and a Girl's Home in Florence. Each home has a capacity for seven children plus house parents, rotating 100-125 children a year. In 2023, The program provided 2,581 childcare days of service to are children. The homes provide various services which include daily living skills, drug and alcohol education and healthy relationships. Support is also provided to parents of the youth by helping connect the family with other available community resources.
The children are exposed to new ventures by living in the homes. They are given the opportunity to attend UNA sporting events, volunteer with local organizations and are taken on trips to the library. The North West Alabama Attention Homes works closely with local public school systems to help improve school attendance among members of the homes. Children who are having trouble in school are given one-on-one tutoring and have the ability to enroll in GED classes.
The Attention Homes are like families. The house parents act as real parents: they supervise activities, counsel the young people, prepare meals, plan group outings, and assign responsibilities. Privileges are granted to the children only as they are earned. Rules are flexible but firm. The homes diligently strive to meet each individual's physical, mental health, educational, and emotional needs
Our Services
HEART Sessions
The HEART (Helping Encourage At-Risk Teens) Program offers prevention and support services to the residents of the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama, Inc. With the use of evidence-based curricula and weekly group sessions, participants will see improvement in understanding of emotions, healthy relationships, self-worth, successful problem-solving, and anger management techniques and a decline in participation of negative behaviors.
Accessibility to Mental and Medical Health Services
Children within our homes are given access to mental and medical health appointments. We make referrals, schedule, and transport to all appointments.
REAL Parent Program
The Parent Project ® is an evidence-informed curriculum created by parents of strong-willed children, for parents! This curriculum offers prevention and intervention strategies for self-destructive behaviors. The behavioral approach consists of five pillars: LOTS of love and affection, clear rules, consistent consequences, structure, and active supervision. We cover solution-focused options for a multitude of self-destructive behaviors, including family conflict, poor school attendance and performance, early teen sexuality, alcohol and other drug use, gang involvement, run away and suicide threats and actions, and other violent behaviors.
In addition, our REAL parent program offers referral assistance to community services in order to offer a helping hand and increase family strength.
Assessments
We provide a multitude of assessments for each child that is placed into the homes. We provide the following assessments: ACE Score, Mental Health Screening, Medical screening, Dental screening, and a Risk assessment.