By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – It has taken about 16 years, but Alabama's entire welfare system is close to complying with a court order to improve. Cullman County is the only one remaining that has not complied with the required upgrade. Page Walley, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, says Cullman County will present evidence next month that it has completed the process. Federal courts ordered the state to improve its child welfare system after a foster child sued in 1988. The agreement was approved in 1991. Walley says a system will be in place to monitor each county's compliance.