Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR)

The Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR) is the licensing and regulatory authority that licenses and monitors Foster Homes, Congregate Care Agencies, Child Placing Agencies, and Adoption Agencies across the State of Arizona.

The Department of Child Safety (DCS) works closely with community agencies to offer foster families with training and additional supports. For information about becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent please view the Department’s Foster and Adoption page: Steps for Becoming a Foster Parent | Arizona Department of Child Safety. Licensing agency information can be found in Step 4 on the “Steps for Becoming a Foster Parent” page.

If you have questions or would like to talk through the licensing process for becoming a foster parent you may call DCS at 1-877-KIDS-NEEDU (1-877-543-7633) during business hours or you may leave a message and someone will return your call.

To reach an area of OLR detailed below, please contact OLR at 602-255-2801.

 

Foster Home Licensing

The Family Home Licensing (FHL) unit assists in the licensure and ongoing monitoring of foster families across the State of Arizona to ensure safe homes for children.

The FHL unit reviews information during the licensing process, during ongoing monitoring from OLR, and during the duration of a family’s license. OLR is the licensing authority for Foster Home Licensing and works with licensing agencies that conduct training, monitoring, and support to foster families within communities across Arizona.

Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 21, Chapter 6 (link is external) and Title 21, Chapter 8 (link is external) are the licensing rules that govern foster homes.

 

Child Welfare Licensing

The Child Welfare Licensing (CWL) Unit assists in the licensure and ongoing monitoring of congregate care agencies across the State of Arizona to ensure safe homes for children.

The CWL unit reviews information during the licensing process, during ongoing monitoring from OLR, and during the duration of an agency’s license. OLR is the licensing agency and the licensing authority for Child Welfare Licensing across Arizona.

Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 21, Chapter 7, Article 1 (link is external) and Title 21, Chapter 8 (link is external) are the licensing rules that govern Child Welfare Agencies.

 

Life Safety Inspections

The Life Safety Inspection (LSI) unit conducts foster home and child welfare agency inspections throughout the State of Arizona. Inspection requirements are based on licensing rules found in Title 21, Chapter 8 (link is external). Group homes have additional requirements identified in Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 6, Chapter 5, Article 74 (link is external). The Preparation Guide and Pool Guide are inspection guides available to assist in the preparation of the premises prior to a Life Safety Inspection and can be located on the DCS Forms page.

The foster family’s associated licensing agency will work with families during and after licensing in preparing the home and maintaining compliance with life safety requirements.

The Life Safety Inspection unit offers pool fence consultations with a special request from the family’s associated licensing agency.

Questions regarding Life Safety Inspections can be sent to LSIQuestions@azdcs.gov or by calling 602-255-2801.

 

Licensing Concerns and Investigations

OLR investigates complaints reported to the DCS hotline, community complaints received by OLR, and internal complaints received by a DCS unit or employee regarding all license types issued by OLR.

OLR investigates and reviews concerns involving licensees and works together with all entities to reach a resolution by supporting and assisting the licensee to ensure safety of children.

Complaints and grievances regarding a licensed foster parent, Child Welfare agency, Adoption agency or a Child Placing agency can be sent to OLRCommunicationsUnit@azdcs.gov.

To report suspected child abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonments please call 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445).

 

Other OLR Services

Adoption Agency Licensing: Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 21, Chapter 9 (link is external) are the licensing rules that govern Adoption agencies.

Child Placing Agency Licensing: Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 6, Chapter 5, Article 69 (link is external) are the licensing rules that govern Child Placing Agency licensing.

For questions regarding these license types please email CWL@azdcs.gov.

For concerns regarding private adoption agencies, please email CWL@azdcs.gov.

 

Training Section

The Training unit works closely with OLR and is responsible for the design and implementation of curricula for OLR for delivery to and use by licensing agencies.

Training calendars are updated semi-annually and offered to Child Welfare Agencies licensed by OLR and licensing agencies. Pre-service and ongoing training for foster families is arranged by the family’s selected licensing agency. Check back occasionally in the event any unscheduled classes are added/announced.

DCS Caregiver Training Calendar

The training calendars for Foster Parent Pre-Service Training can be viewed by visiting this link to the Caregiver Training webpage.

For training related questions please contact LDCaregivertraining@AZDCS.GOV .