National Foster Care Month - Resources

General Information Brochure 

 

State Resources for Foster Families

Child Care

Foster parents who work outside the home are eligible for DCS-sponsored childcare for their children in foster care. Contact the child’s DCS Specialist for more information.

Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program (CMDP)

The Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program (CMDP) is the health plan  that covers children in foster care. For more information, please visit  https://dcs.az.gov/cmdp

Provider Indemnity Program (PIP)

The Provider Indemnity Program, better known as PIP, is a state-funded insurance program that provides liability coverage for foster parents while caring for a child in foster care. PIP covers acts of children in foster care that result in damage to the property of foster parents or third parties. There is no charge to foster parents for this coverage. https://staterisk.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Provider%20Indemnity%20Program%2011_19_08.pdf

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program provides money for current and former youth in foster care to pay for higher education and training programs. Youth must have been in foster care at the age of 16 or 17 and must enroll in a post-secondary program that is recognized by the Arizona Department of Education. Youth who are making satisfactory progress at the time of their 21st birthday may continue to receive ETV until the age of 23. The ETV is based on need and considers all school/training expenses, including living expenses, income, and financial resources. https://dcs.az.gov/services/young-adult/independent-living-program-and-young-adult-program

Respite Care

DCS contracts with foster parent licensing agencies to provide six days, or up to 144 hours annually, of respite care for licensed foster parents. Contact your licensing agency worker for more information.

DCS Warm Line

The Foster Parent Warm Line is a resource for licensed foster parents who are experiencing situations and cannot reach the Department of Child Safety (DCS) case manager for the child in their care in a timely manner. By calling 1-877-KIDSNEEDU (1-877-543-7633), and selecting Option 3, licensed foster parents will be connected to a Warm Line representative. The Warm Line is staffed during business hours but messages may be left at any time of the day or night.

The intent of the Warm Line is to provide licensed foster parents with information, assistance with authorizations for services, timely communication, and support. It is not intended to discourage or replace direct and regular communication between the DCS case manager and the licensed foster parent.

DCS Ombudsman's Office

The DCS Ombudsman's Office assists parents and guardians who are involved with DCS, their families and other interested parties when they are dissatisfied with services, actions or lack of actions, or their treatment by DCS staff.  The DCS Ombudsman's Office will review your complaint and determine the type of response needed.

Non-Profit Resources

KARE Family Centers

KARE Family Centers provide services to kinship caregivers. If you are a family member raising grandchildren, nieces or nephews, cousins or other relatives, the KARE Center can assess your needs and provide information and referrals to resources to help you. Services are provided in both English and Spanish. Locations in Phoenix, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Casa Grande and Yuma.
https://www.arizonaschildren.org/kinship/

Lodestar Family Connections Center (LFCC)

LFCC is an agency-independent supportive and educational resource center, providing a variety of programs for foster, adoptive, guardianship and kinship families. LFCC is family-centered to help meet the diverse needs of families caring for Arizona’s children. Located in Phoenix. www.familyconnectionscenter.org

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents (AZAFAP)

Working in partnership with child welfare professionals and the community, AZAFAP’s purpose is to support, educate, empower and provide a unified voice for Arizona’s foster and adoptive families, with the goal of increasing the well being and stability of Arizona’s most vulnerable children. www.azafap.org

Arizonans for Children

Arizonans for Children is a non-profit organization that facilitates opportunities and provides effective solutions to alleviate hardships and improve the lives of children in foster care. They have a number of programs available including, tutoring, mentoring, life books, financial literacy for teens and a legal education program for teens aging out of the foster care system. Arizonans for Children also offers Children’s Visitation Centers for supervised visits as well as dance, sewing, cooking and craft classes. www.arizonansforchildren.org

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation provides funds to meet the needs of children in foster care that are not otherwise funded by the State, such as sports team fees, music, dance, karate and gymnastic lessons, class trips, prom clothes and some graduation expenses. To apply for an AFFCF grant, visit www.affcf.org and click on General Awards or email [email protected].

Arizona Helping Hands

Supports foster and kinship families at times of crisis or need by providing to them basic essentials such as bedding, clothes, personal effects, holiday and special occasion toys, school supplies and emergency assistance. They also act as a resource helping to connect families to other community based services including foster care enrichment and support providers.  http://www.azhelpinghands.org

Faith-Based Resources

Arizona 1.27

Arizona 1.27 is a church-based movement aimed at engaging local churches in the Arizona child welfare system. The organization trains churches how to best recruit and care for church members engaged in the ministry of foster care and adoption.  www.az127.org

Hope & A Future

Hope & A Future serves abused and neglected children in the Arizona foster care system by helping them reach their potential and achieve their dreams through Christian values, encouragement, compassion and acceptance. Programs include camps, mentoring, scholarships and other fun opportunities for youth. 
www.azhope.com

OCJ Kids

OCJ Kids (Opportunity, Community, Justice for Kids) provides tools, resources, life skills training, financial literacy and caring adult mentors for foster youth living in group homes. www.ocjkids.org