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Arizona Department of Child Safety

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Arizona Department of Child Safety
Phone: Child Abuse Hotline 1-888-767-2445
Arizona Department of Child Safety<br> Logo
CLICK to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
📞DCS Directory

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Main menu

  • Home
  • About
    • About DCS
      • Engage
    • Administration
      • Kathryn Ptak, DCS Director
    • Field Offices
    • Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Rules & Rulemaking
      • DCS Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
      • DCS Non-Discrimination Policy
      • DCS Limited English Proficiency Policy
    • Procurement & Contracts
    • Strategic Plan
    • Tribal Relations
    • Community Advisory Committee
    • Volunteer
      • Get Involved
      • Community / Volunteer Interest Form
      • Giving Tree
      • Luggage of Love
      • Community Screening Partners
      • FACT Program
    • Contact Us
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
      • Child Safety Specialist
      • Child Welfare Investigative Specialist (OCWI)
      • Search All Positions
    • We Are Compassioneers
  • News & Reports
    • News Releases
    • DCS Reports
    • Performance Measures
      • DCS Monthly / Semi-Annual Report
    • Child Fatalities / Near Fatalities
    • Process for Release of Info
    • Settlement - Tinsley v. Faust
  • Parents
    • Parent Guide
    • Parents Rights
    • Parent Advisory Collaborative
  • Youth in Care
    • Foster Youth Bill of Rights
    • Medical and Behavioral Health Services
    • Resources for Youth
    • Young Adult Program
    • Rights for Children in Out-of-Home Care, CSO-3121
    • Victims' Rights
    • Self-Advocacy Resources
    • Guardian Ad Litem Survey
  • Foster & Adoption
    • Foster Care
      • Start the Journey! Orientation
      • Learn More
      • Kinship Support Services
      • Therapeutic Foster Care
      • Licensing Agencies
      • Information Events
      • Kinship Resources
      • Go-to Guide
      • Foster & Kinship FAQ's
    • Adoption
      • Adoption Stories
    • Caregiver Training
    • Shared Parenting
    • Children's Heart Gallery
    • Search AdoptUSKids
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Request DCS Information
    • Complaint or Disagreement
      • Ombudsman Complaint Form
    • DCS Forms
    • DCS Brochures & Flyers
  • Services
    • Medical and Behavioral Health Services
      • For Members
      • For Providers
      • Health and Wellness
      • News and Updates
      • Contact CHP
      • Language and Translation
    • DCS Service Array
      • Service Array Materials
    • Prevention
      • Safe Sleep
      • Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T.
      • Healthy Families Arizona
      • Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils
      • Resources for Parents
      • Back-To-School Resources and Tips for Parents
    • Investigations and OCWI
      • Joint Investigation Protocol
    • Office of Licensing & Regulation (OLR)
    • Young Adult
      • Young Adult Program
      • Young Adult Resources
      • Extended Foster Care
      • Successful Transition to Adulthood
      • Education
    • Victims' Rights
  • Report Child Abuse
    • Child Abuse Hotline
    • Mandated Reporter Overview Training
    • Safe Haven Newborn
    • SB1114 - Child Abuse Hotline Required Posting
  • Home
  • Foster & Adoption
  • Foster Care
  • Resources for Kinship Foster Caregivers

Resources for Kinship Foster Caregivers

If you are an adult relative or person who has a significant relationship with a child and the Department of Child Safety (DCS) has placed the child in your home, you are a kinship caregiver. There are over 4,000 kinship caregivers in Arizona just like you. We appreciate your commitment and want to ensure you are aware of the resources and supports available to you as the kinship caregiver.

There is a team of professionals here to support you

If you live or are able to be in the Maricopa County or Pima County area, you are invited to attend a Kinship Information Session and hear about supports you can receive directly from DCS, attorneys, DES, and a licensing agency. To find the dates, times, and location, please call (520) 323-4476 for Pima County or (480) 748-9269 for Maricopa County.

As a kinship caregiver, you may be facing some financial challenges and uncertainty. The list below provides information on DCS financial supports to help offset some of the cost of caring for your loved ones. In addition, there is a list of non-financial supports to help with other aspects of navigating what it means to be a kinship caregiver.

Financial Support

  • Apply for Child-Only Cash Assistance (TANF) with the help of your DCS Specialist.
  • You will receive monthly reimbursement from DCS. At the end of each month, you will confirm the number of days the child was in your home for that month. You can confirm online or on the billing statement mailed to your home. The reimbursement includes:
    • personal and clothing allowances;
    • diaper allowance (if applicable); and
    • the Kinship Stipend.
  • Liability coverage for caregivers while caring for a child or youth in foster care may be available in certain instances. Learn more by reviewing the Provider Indemnity Program Brochure and the Provider Property Damage Claim Form.
  • The Department helps provide for the health needs of children and youth in foster care through the Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan, State of Arizona funding or an alternative health plan.

Non-Financial Supports

  • Call the DCS Warm Line at 1-877-KIDSNEEDU, Option 3, with any general questions about kinship care.
  • The Kinship Foster Care: Relatives Caring for Children in DCS Custody Booklet discusses foster care, kinship care, DCS involvement, services and supports.
  • The Go-To-Guide: A Guide for Foster and Kinship Caregivers discusses DCS involvement, kinship parenting, shared parenting, health care, education, legal supports, and more.
  • Search for a childcare facility near you at Child Care Resources and Referral.
  • Every kinship care provider receives 144 hours of respite care per fiscal year. Your DCS Specialist can help arrange respite for you.
  • Sign up for the AZ Thrive Newsletter for the most up to date information on services and supports.
  • Contact the School Foster Care Liaisons for help navigating the education system.
  • Kinship Caregivers Resources List proves additional community based supports.

Consider Becoming a Licensed Foster Parent

Becoming a licensed foster parent specifically for the children in your care is an option that can offer additional supports. As a licensed foster home you would be subject to the same licensing standards as regular foster homes; however, some non-safety related requirements may be waived in order to promote kinship licensure. For more information about licensure contact the Home Recruitment Response Specialist at 1-877-543-7633, option 1 or visit the Foster Care Licensing page.

Additional Resources

Have you been feeling like it would be nice to talk with someone who has also gone through this process, attend a trauma informed training, or receive support from a community agency as you navigate the child welfare system? Click on your region’s tab below for a list of community agencies here to support you.

  • Northern Region
  • Maricopa County
  • Southern Region

Northern Region Kinship Contact List

 

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

https://nacog.org/

1-877-521-3500

  • Educational workshops
  • Support groups

 

Community Legal Services, Inc.

1-928-445-9240

https://clsaz.org/

  • Legal advice
  • Advocacy
  • Housing assistance
  • Employment assistance
  • Health care questions

 

Humboldt Unified School District

1-928-759-5104

www.humboldtunified.com

  • Education Support
  • Clothing
  • Community Referrals

 

Northern Arizona Council of Goverments (NACOG)

1-928-308-2988

https://nacog.org/

  • Utility and energy assistance
  • Community Referrals

 

SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEGAL AIDE (SALA)

1-800-248-6789

www.sazlegalaid.org

  • Eviction Prevention/Unsafe Housing/Home Loss 
  • Family law
  • Public benefits
  • Immigration
  • Native American Practice

 

Maricopa County Kinship Contact List

 

AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS (AASK)

2320 N 20th St., Phoenix, AZ 85006

(602) 254-2275

[email protected]

www.aask-az.org/kinship

  • Kinship Specialists
  • Educational workshops
  • Resource referral
  • Family fun events
  • Foster licensing/adoption support

 

ARIZONA'S CHILDREN ASSOCIATION: KINSHIP SUPPORT SERVICES (AKSS)

3636 N. Central Ave, Ste 200 Phoenix AZ 85012

[email protected]

www.arizonaschildren.org/kinship

Maricopa County 480-748-9269

Pima County 520-323-4476

Ask for a Navigator

  • Resources referrals
  • Support groups for caregivers and youth in English and Spanish (childcare provided)
  • Caregiver education
  • Legal services, support and referral
  • Foster licensing/adoption support
  • Navigation and advocacy

 

BENEVILLA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

16752 N. Greasewood St. Surprise AZ 85378

Sherry Griffin (623) 207-6016

[email protected]

(Serving families in the NW Valley)

  • Kinship support groups in Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, Wickenburg, and Wittmann
  • Family Support Coordination - Home visitation program
  • Community resource and referral
  • Help completing HealtheAZ applications
  • Lending library (books and videos)
  • Play groups for caregivers/children 0-5
  • Emergency diaper bank
  • Educational workshops
  • Family fun events

 

CHILD CRISIS ARIZONA

604 West 9th Street Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 834-9424

  • Kinship support group
  • Relatives as Parents class (adult)
  • Parenting skills training
  • Anger management for the family
  • Children's self-development classes
  • Parent workshops (diverse subjects)
  • Counseling
  • Community resource referral

 

DUET

10000 N. 31st Ave, Suite D200 Phoenix AZ 85051

Patricia Dominguez

(602) 274-5022

[email protected]

  • Grandparent/Kinship support groups in Phoenix, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Goodyear
  • Educational workshops
  • Social activities for "Grand families"
  • Benefit and legal guidance
  • Respite assistance
  • Guardianship clinics

 

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT CENTER

Parent Assistance Center

5333 N. 7th St., Ste. A-100 Phoenix AZ 85014

Betty Hurtado/Zira Franks

(602) 288-0155 / (877) 568-8468

www.familyinvolvementcenter.org

  • Relatives as parents/caregivers support group
  • Services in English and Spanish/child care provided
  • Information and referral
  • Assistance/advocacy with child-serving agencies
  • Youth development and support services
  • State-wide support line
  • Parent empowerment, education, skills and training

 

HELEN’S HOPE CHEST

126 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85201

(480) 969-5411

[email protected]

https://helenshopechest.org

  • Five gently used outfits per child per quarter
  • Birthday and Holiday gifts
  • Hygiene supplies, diapers and wipes
  • Young adult services (ages 16-24)

 

KINSHIP HELP 55

(602) 448-7808

  • Community referrals
  • Peer support
  • Navigation support

 

Southern Region Kinship Contact List

AVIVA

153 S. Plumer Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 327-6779

www.avivatucson.org

  • Food
  • Diapers
  • Beds
  • Clothing

 

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT CENTER

1200 N. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716

(602) 412-4102

www.familyinvolvementcenter.org

[email protected]

  • Peer Support

 

I AM YOU 360

(520) 440-1335

www.iamyou360.org

  • Hygiene Dispensary Program
  • Mentoring
  • African American hair care classes
  • Service learning program for teens

 

KARE CENTER

(520) 603.7664

[email protected]

www.arizonaschildren.org/kinship

  • Support Groups
  • Educational workshops
  • Community referrals

 

MORE THAN A BED

3637 North 1st Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719

(520) 428-5280

www.morethanabed.org

[email protected]

  • Diapers and wipes
  • Clothing
  • Bedding
  • Car seats and High Chairs

 

SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEGAL AIDE (SALA)

1-800-248-6789

www.sazlegalaid.org

  • Eviction Prevention/Unsafe Housing/Home Loss
  • Family law
  • Public benefits
  • Immigration
  • Native American Practice

 

SEEDS

(520) 308-2539

www.seedstucson.org

[email protected]

  • Support Groups
  • Teen Events

SPREADING THREADS

1870 West Prince Rd, Suite 54 Tucson, AZ 85705

(520) 971-3237

www.spreadingthreads.com

  • Clothing bank

Foster & Adoption

  • Foster Care
    • Start the Journey! Orientation
    • Learn More
    • Kinship Support Services
    • Therapeutic Foster Care
    • Licensing Agencies
    • Information Events
    • Kinship Resources
    • Go-to Guide
    • Foster & Kinship FAQ's
  • Adoption
    • Adoption Stories
  • Caregiver Training
  • Shared Parenting
  • Children's Heart Gallery
  • Search AdoptUSKids
  • Newsletter

Helpful Links

Frequently Asked Questions
Children's Heart Gallery
Resources for Kinship Foster Caregivers
Current Foster and Adoptive Parents Newsletter
Teen Resources
Taking Care of Yourself While Raising Your Grandchildren

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