Admissions and Eligibility

Eligibility for long-term residential care in an Alabama Sheriffs' Youth Ranch must be approved by the sheriff of the county in which a child resides. As a minimum, candidates for a Sheriffs' Ranch must meet the eligibility requirements stated below. Before acceptance into long-term care at a Sheriffs' Ranch, a family history will be taken, interviews compiled, and pertinent information gathered from local school officials, ministers, friends, etc.

While school, church and other public or private officials, including the Department of Human Resources, can make referrals, only a local sheriff can approve the request. Once the decision is made to place a child in a Sheriffs' Ranch, placement may depend on the space available at the time of the request. Selection is completely nondiscriminatory.

Making a Referral

Anyone may refer a child to live at the Ranches. If you would like to do this, please call us at 1-800-548-4256 and speak with one of our social workers. Our social workers will then contact the Ranch. All paperwork must be completed before a child may come to the Ranches.

If you would like a Ranch Social Worker to contact you about placement information please click here.

Click here to print an admissions application.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for an Alabama Sheriffs' Ranch, a child must meet the following requirements:

1. The legal guardian and the child must be legal residents of the state of Alabama.
2. At the time of admission, the child may not be younger than 6 years old and not older than 18.
3. There must be no other appropriate living arrangements for the child.
4. The child cannot be an adjudicated delinquent.
5. He or she must be physically capable of participating in program activities.
6. The child cannot have severe behavioral problems.
7. The child must have the potential to perform in school.
8. No alcohol or drug dependency is allowed.
9. The child must have both willingness and motivation to work on personal problems.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

In order to be accepted into the Ranch program, the following documentation is needed:

1. A completed application
2. Current psychological exam
3. Current physical exam
4. A copy of their Social Security Card
5. A copy of their birth certificate
6. Immunization records
7. A copy of school records
8. Any custody or legal papers (if applicable)