I am a resident of Athens, Alabama and have been A caretaker for a 5-year-old girl and her nearly 2-year-old brother since she was just three months old. Their mother was reported for having the smell of marijuana in her vehicle when dropping off the 5-year-old at school. Despite my deep bond with these children, who know me as 'Mimi', and despite having a room filled with their belongings in my house, I am not allowed to be their official safety plan due to an almost two-decade old case with the Department of Human Resources.

This is not just about me. This is about all those who have made mistakes in their past but have since turned their lives around and are now willing and able to provide safe homes for children in need. The current law does not consider individual growth or circumstances; it only sees past mistakes.

According to data from the Adoption Network Law Center, there are over 400,000 children in foster care nationwide on any given day (source: Adoption Network Law Center). Many of these children could find loving homes if laws like ours were more flexible.

We propose that Athens' child welfare laws be amended such that individuals indicated in past Department of Human Resources cases can still qualify as foster parents or safety plans under certain conditions - after thorough vetting processes and proven change over time.

Let's give every child an opportunity for a stable home environment where they feel loved and secure. Let's give every capable adult an opportunity to make a difference in these young lives regardless of past mistakes. Please sign this petition today!