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 Kinship Contact List
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
www.nacog.org/departments/AAA.html
1-877-521-3500
- Educational workshops
- Support groups
Community Legal Services, Inc.
1-928-445-9240
- Legal advice
- Advocacy
- Housing assistance
- Employment assistance
- Health care questions
Humboldt Unified School District
1-928-759-5104
- Education Support
- Clothing
- Community Referrals
Northern Arizona Council of GOverments (NACOG)
1-928-308-2988
- Utility and energy assistance
- Community Referrals
SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEGAL AIDE (SALA)
1-800-248-6789
- 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
- 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
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
(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
- 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
- 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
- Food
- Diapers
- Beds
- Clothing
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT CENTER
1200 N. Country Club Rd. Tucson, AZ 85716
(602) 412-4102
www.familyinvolvementcenter.org
- Peer Support
I AM YOU 360
(520) 440-1335
- Hygiene Dispensary Program
- Mentoring
- African American hair care classes
- Service learning program for teens
KARE CENTER
(520) 603.7664
www.arizonaschildren.org/kinship
- Support Groups
- Educational workshops
- Community referrals
MORE THAN A BED
3637 North 1st Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 428-5280
- Diapers and wipes
- Clothing
- Bedding
- Car seats and High Chairs
SOUTHERN ARIZONA LEGAL AIDE (SALA)
1-800-248-6789
- Eviction Prevention/Unsafe Housing/Home Loss
- Family law
- Public benefits
- Immigration
- Native American Practice
SEEDS
(520) 308-2539
- Support Groups
- Teen Events
SPREADING THREADS
1870 West Prince Rd, Suite 54 Tucson, AZ 85705
(520) 971-3237
- Clothing bank