DHR

Families in Autauga County often hear about “DHR” when they need help paying for food, protecting a child or an older adult, or figuring out child support and family assistance. This guide explains how Autauga County AL DHR fits into the statewide safety net, what kinds of services are available locally, and what you can expect when you reach out. It is written for residents of Prattville and the rest of Autauga County who want clear, practical, and trustworthy information about their local Department of Human Resources office.

Get to know how Autauga County DHR fits into the statewide system

Autauga County’s Department of Human Resources office is part of the statewide Alabama Department of Human Resources, the primary public agency providing social services across the state. The state office sets policy, oversees programs, and supports all 67 county offices, while local staff in Autauga County work directly with residents to deliver those services day to day.

The statewide agency provides information and leadership through the Alabama Department of Human Resources website, where you can learn more about programs, news, and statewide initiatives that also affect Autauga County.

Mission and values that guide services in Autauga County

The mission, vision, and values that guide decisions in Autauga County come from the state agency. DHR’s focus is on protection, well-being, and self-sufficiency for children and adults, with an emphasis on integrity, respect, commitment, and accountability. You can read those guiding principles in more detail in the department’s mission, vision and values section, which apply equally to local work in Autauga County.

Because of that shared foundation, residents can expect the Autauga County office to:

Prioritize safety for children, older adults, and adults with disabilities
Provide services that disrupt families’ lives as little as possible
Offer help only as long as it is needed to stabilize a situation
Focus on long-term self-sufficiency, not just short-term assistance

Find the right DHR service in Autauga County

The phrase “Autauga County AL DHR” can mean different things depending on what a family needs. The same local office coordinates multiple programs, but each program has its own rules and purpose. Below are the main types of help many residents look for.

Get help buying groceries through food assistance

For many households, the first contact with the Autauga County DHR office is about help paying for food. The state’s Food Assistance Program (often called “SNAP” or “food stamps”) is administered locally, but eligibility rules and federal guidelines are set at higher levels.

To understand how food assistance works across the state, including basic eligibility, types of income that count, and how benefits are provided, you can review the DHR Food Assistance Program information. The Autauga County office applies those same rules when reviewing local applications and managing ongoing cases.

In general, you can expect the local office to:

Review income and household size
Verify residency and identity
Determine the monthly benefit amount, if eligible
Handle case changes, recertifications, and questions

The Autauga County office is the place you would contact if you need to report changes, ask about a notice you received, or request help understanding your food assistance case.

Explore Family Assistance cash support and work programs

Some low-income families in Autauga County may qualify for cash assistance and related work programs through the state’s Family Assistance program. This is often the support system people think of when they refer to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

The statewide Family Assistance program page explains the basic goals and requirements, including:

Time-limited cash assistance for eligible families with children
Work and training expectations for adults in the home
Support services that help parents prepare for and keep employment

Autauga County DHR staff use those statewide policies when they:

Take applications and gather required documents
Explain work or training requirements
Connect parents with JOBS or other employment-related services
Monitor ongoing eligibility and compliance

If you live in Autauga County and are caring for a child with very limited income, the local office is the starting point for exploring whether Family Assistance might be available to your household.

Use child support services to establish and enforce orders

Parents who need help establishing paternity, setting up a child support order, or enforcing an existing order also work through the local DHR office. In Alabama, the Child Support Enforcement program is part of DHR, and Autauga County is included in that system.

The state’s Child Support Enforcement Division explains how DHR can:

Help locate a non-custodial parent
Establish paternity when needed
Ask the court to set a support order
Enforce an order through income withholding or other tools
Review and request changes to orders in certain situations

In Autauga County, DHR staff coordinate with the courts and other agencies but remain your main contact for day-to-day questions about your child support case, payments, and enforcement actions.

Protect children and vulnerable adults through Autauga County DHR

Beyond financial assistance, a central role of Autauga County DHR is protecting people from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Protective services use statewide policies but are carried out locally.

When and how child protective services get involved

Anyone in Autauga County who suspects a child is being abused or neglected is encouraged to report it to DHR. The state’s Child Protective Services page explains the general process, including:

How reports are received and screened
When an investigation or assessment is opened
What kinds of safety plans may be considered
How DHR works to keep children safe while, when possible, maintaining family connections

At the county level, trained staff respond to reports, visit homes, speak with children and caregivers, and coordinate with law enforcement or the courts when needed. In emergencies, residents are always advised to contact local law enforcement or dial 911 first, with DHR following up as part of the broader response.

Adult Protective Services for older adults and adults with disabilities

Autauga County DHR is also the local contact point for concerns about the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, such as older adults or adults with disabilities who may be unable to protect themselves.

The state’s Adult Protective Services information outlines what types of situations might be investigated, including:

Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect due to serious limitations
Financial exploitation, such as misuse of funds or property

When a report involves a resident of Autauga County, county staff follow statewide protocols to assess safety, arrange services, and work with other agencies as appropriate.

Work with Autauga County DHR on foster care and family services

When children cannot safely remain at home, the Autauga County office becomes involved in foster care, permanency planning, and related family services.

Foster care and permanency planning

If a court decides a child must be removed from their home for safety reasons, DHR is responsible for arranging care and planning for a permanent, stable living situation. The statewide Foster Care program explains how foster homes are licensed and supported, and how DHR seeks permanent solutions such as reunification with parents, placement with relatives, or adoption.

In Autauga County, this can involve:

Working with relatives who might be able to care for a child
Supporting foster parents in meeting a child’s needs
Coordinating visits between children and their parents or other relatives
Preparing court reports and recommendations about a child’s long-term plan

Residents who are interested in becoming foster parents or learning more about local needs can start by contacting the county DHR office, which works within the statewide system for training and licensing.

Family services aimed at keeping children safely at home

Whenever possible, DHR’s first goal is to keep children safe within their own homes by addressing underlying issues. Family services can include referrals to counseling, parenting support, safety planning, or help accessing other benefits.

Autauga County staff apply the same principles used statewide: provide the least disruptive services necessary, for only as long as needed, to help families correct problems and maintain safe, stable homes.

Navigate the Autauga County DHR office like a pro

Understanding how the local office operates can make your visit or phone call smoother and less stressful.

What usually happens when you contact the office

While each situation is unique, many Autauga County residents experience a similar basic process when they reach out:

Initial contact
You contact the office to ask about a program, report a concern, or follow up on an existing case. A front-desk staff member or call-taker determines which unit (food assistance, family assistance, child support, child welfare, or adult services) should handle your question.

Intake or screening
For benefit programs, intake staff usually ask basic questions about your household, income, and situation.
For protective services, a screener asks for details about the safety concern.

Appointment or follow-up
Depending on the program, you may be scheduled for an interview, asked to submit documents, or directed to return a completed application. Some cases can be managed mostly by phone and mail; others require in-person meetings.

Ongoing case management
If you are approved for benefits or services, a caseworker becomes your main point of contact. You report changes, ask questions, and work with that caseworker throughout the life of the case.

Because the Autauga County office follows statewide policies, you can expect a structured process, written notices about decisions, and an opportunity to ask questions or request a review if you disagree with a decision.

Use the county directory to confirm Autauga County DHR details

To look up the official Autauga County listing, including the office’s address, phone numbers, and the specific units located there, you can use DHR’s statewide county office contact directory. This directory lists every county, including Autauga, and provides the most up-to-date contact information maintained by the state.

Tap into additional DHR programs connected to Autauga County

Even if you start with one specific need, your interaction with Autauga County DHR may touch several different programs.

Child care, work, and related supports

Parents involved with Family Assistance or JOBS may also need help with child care so they can work or attend training. While the detailed child care policy information is maintained at the state level, local Autauga County staff help link families to the correct child care contacts and explain what documentation is required for child care assistance connected to DHR programs.

Adoption and permanency beyond foster care

When a child in foster care cannot safely return home, adoption may become part of the permanency plan. While specialized adoption workers may be based in regional or state offices, Autauga County DHR remains involved in:

Preparing children and families for adoption

Coordinating with courts and attorneys

Providing information to prospective adoptive parents who are already part of the DHR system

State-level adoption resources are coordinated under DHR’s adoption services and are connected to the local work being done with Autauga County families.

Access DHR services in Autauga County without language or discrimination barriers

The Alabama Department of Human Resources is committed to providing services without discrimination and with appropriate communication support. That commitment applies to the Autauga County office as well.

Free communication and language assistance

Residents of Autauga County who have limited English proficiency, are deaf or hard of hearing, or have other communication needs can access interpretation and other communication help at no cost. DHR explains how these services work and the languages supported on its statewide Free Communication Assistance page.

When you contact or visit the Autauga County office, you can:

Tell staff if you need an interpreter or another form of communication assistance
Expect that services will be provided without cost to you for those supports
Ask for written information in accessible formats when available

Equal access and non-discrimination

DHR’s nondiscrimination policies apply to all county offices, including Autauga. Staff are trained to provide services without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or other protected categories. If you ever believe you have been treated unfairly, you can contact DHR through state-level channels as outlined in their nondiscrimination notices, or raise the concern with supervisory staff at the Autauga County office.

Plan ahead before you reach out to Autauga County DHR

Being prepared can reduce stress and shorten the time it takes to get help. Before you call or visit the Autauga County office, it often helps to:

Clarify which program you think you need (food assistance, family assistance, child support, child welfare, adult services, or foster care).

Gather basic documents such as identification, Social Security numbers if available, proof of income, rent or mortgage information, and utility bills.

Write down key dates or events if you are reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Make a list of questions so you do not forget anything during your call or visit.

If you’re unsure which program fits your situation, you can still contact the office, explain what is going on, and let staff guide you to the correct unit. DHR is structured so that residents do not have to know every program name before they ask for help.

Autauga County DHR contact details at a glance

Autauga County Department of Human Resources – 203 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067-3003;

Adult Services: (334) 358-5000;
After-Hours/Emergency: (334) 325-4718;
Child Support: (334) 358-5000;
Family and Child Services: (334) 358-5000;
Food Assistance: (334) 358-5000;
TANF or JOBS Information: (334) 358-5000;
Fax: (334) 365-3274;
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Autauga County DHR FAQs

How do I apply for food assistance in Autauga County?

Autauga County residents can apply for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the local DHR office. The process includes submitting an application, providing required documents, and participating in an interview with a caseworker. For more details on how to apply, you can visit the Food Assistance page.

What are the eligibility requirements for TANF in Autauga County?

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial aid to low-income families with children. Eligibility is based on factors such as household income, size, and specific needs. If you're seeking TANF benefits in Autauga County, you can learn more and apply at the local DHR office. Visit the Family Assistance page for more information.

How can I report child abuse or neglect in Autauga County?

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you can report it to the Autauga County DHR. Reports can be made during regular hours or after-hours in emergencies by calling the appropriate contacts. For after-hours emergencies, contact the local law enforcement or dial 911. More information can be found on the Child Protective Services page.

How do I get help with child support in Autauga County?

The Autauga County DHR assists with establishing and enforcing child support orders. Whether you're a custodial or non-custodial parent, you can access support services for child support enforcement. Visit the Child Support Enforcement page for guidance and assistance.