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Frequently Asked Questions

Education

Are there programs to help children in foster care prepare for college?

Arizona State University offers foster youth the opportunity to enroll in its First Star Academy. The goal of the program is to provide training and support to foster youth enrolled at ASU. You can learn more about the program here: https://eoss.asu.edu/access/first-star-academy/about-us.

You can check with your child's school to see if they have programs designed to help students prepare for college. You can request your DCS specialist refer your child in care to FosterEd for college preparation support. DCS also has two education specialists who can assist with college preparation.

Who can request early intervention services for the child in my care?

If you have a child in care under three-years-old, the DCS specialist will refer them to the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP). AzEIP is a statewide system of services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. You can find more informaion here. https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-infant

Older children and youth can receive special education and other services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). You can contact your child's school district to request an assessment.

Where can I learn more about stages of child development?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on developmental milestones for children and information on basic health, positive parenting skills, and safety issues. You can visit there website here: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html

How can I figure out if sexual behaviors are typical or problematic for my child's age?

You can click here for a list of sexual behaviors based on a child's age: https://azfamilyresources.org/pdf/TypicalandProblematicSexualBehaviorsinChildren.pdf

Are there any guidelines for children and digital media use (computers, smart phones, etc.)?

The American Academy of Pediatrics has created guidelines and a toolkit for children using digital media. You can find the toolkit here: https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Pages/Media-and-Children.aspx

Arizona Department of Child Safety