Attention Homes of NW Alabama officials asking county to increase annual appropriation to the agency

More than one of every four children placed in the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama come from Franklin County, saving the county $140 per night for children placed in the more restrictive Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Facility.

Last year, those savings saved Franklin County an additional $63,000 in detention costs, something shared by Ally Lee, Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama Executive Director when she addressed the Franklin County Commission at its July 13th work session asking for an increase in the $5,000 annual appropriation the Commission currently budgets for the agency.

The two Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama, one for boys and one for girls, offer Juvenile Court System officials a placement option for 10-19 year olds in a group setting rather than what amounts to confinement in a juvenile jail.

The Attention Homes serve primarily Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin Counties, with Lawrence County coming in the near future.

With an annual budget between $400,000-$500,000 the homes are a United Way agency licensed through the Department of Youth Services of Alabama. There are multiple funding sources, including grants from the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama, assistance from civic organizations and churches, as well as appropriations from county governments and some municipalities in the Shoals area.

Lee asked commissioners to increase the county’s annual appropriation to $10,000, and highlighted the financial savings the Attention Homes as compared to detention.

“89% of kids who come into our program return home and avoid detention placement,” Lee said. “We have experienced increased costs so we’re asking you to consider an increase in your annual appropriation.”

By comparison, Lauderdale County’s annual appropriation is $25,000, Colbert County’s is $10,000 and the City of Florence contributes $15,000 each year to the Attention Homes.

The Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama were founded in 1973, and have served Franklin County continuously over the past 53 years, Lee said.

Kids placed in the Attention Homes attend public schools daily, receive counseling and mental health services if required.

The agency’s mission is to promote healthy decision making and to change the direction of each resident’s life so he or she can return home successfully.

Combined, each of the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama are licensed for 16 beds, with four allocated to Franklin County children.

Referrals can be the result ofpolice action, divorce, severe family conflict or friction from discipline or behavior issues in school. Youth facing charges from violent crimes are not eligible for Attention Homes placement.

House parents reside in each home, with an average of 100-125 children rotating through the facilities per year. House parents’ responsibilities include supervision, counseling, meal preparation, planning group outings and assigning chores to each child.

Children who are having trouble in school are provided one-on-one tutoring and also have the ability to enroll in GED classes.

Commissioners will soon begin the process of planning and approving a budget for the new fiscal year. Franklin County Administrator Leah Mansell said the commission has already approved a $2,500 increase in its appropriation to the Attention Homes of Northwest Alabama, for a total of $7,500.