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Frequently Asked Questions

Foster Care and Adoption

What is foster care and adoption?

Foster care is a temporary situation where you care for a child who cannot safely remain at home. As a foster parent, you need to keep in mind that the primary goal is for the child in your home to return to their own home. You will be expected to support this goal (which is also known as a case plan goal) of reunification.

Who are the children who need foster homes and adoption?

Children come into foster care through no fault of their own. They come into care because their parents are not able to safely care for them, not because of something they have done. Children who come into foster care will need a foster home until they are safely reunified with their parent(s). If the parent(s) are unable to remedy the reasons that brought their child into care, then the court will terminate parental rights so the child can achieve permanency through adoption.

How is adoption different from foster care?

While a child is in foster care, the child’s parents will work their case plan to safely reunify with the child. Foster care is intended to be temporary until a child can return home. If a parent is unable to reunify with their child, adoption allows the child to achieve permanency by way of full legal custody and rights given to the adoptive parents.

Do I have to be a foster parent in order to adopt?

No. You may choose to only be certified to adopt through the court. However, being a foster parent provides parenting experience to potential adoptive parents.

Do I need a license to be a foster or adoptive parent?

Not necessarily. Family members caring for children who are in the custody of DCS do not need to be licensed, but will still need to pass the home safety inspection. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent for children who are in the custody of DCS and are not considered kinship, you must be licensed. If you are interested in adopting from foster care, you must be certified by the court to adopt.

Do I need to own my home to be a licensed foster parent or certified adoptive parent?

You do not need to own your home to be a licensed foster parent or certified adoptive parent. However, your home must be able to pass a home safety inspection. The Life Safety Inspection (LSI) is a vital part of the licensing process. DCS must guarantee the situation in which the children are placed is safe. You can view the LSI Preparation Guide here (CSO-1601 Preparation Guide CSO-1603 Preparation Guide in Spanish).

Who can be foster or adoptive parents?

You can be single, married or in a relationship, but if you are married, both parties must complete all requirements. Applicants for the licensing or certification process must be able to pass an FBI and local criminal background check (in addition to any other adults in the home) and have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Department of Public Safety. To become a licensed foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old. If you are seeking certification you adopt, you must be at least 18 years old.

Can a single person be licensed as a foster parent or be certified to adopt?

Yes a single person may become licensed for foster care or certified to adopt.

What are the basic requirements in Arizona for becoming a foster or adoptive parent(s)?

In Arizona, you can be single, married or in a relationship, but if you are married, both parties must complete all requirements. You must be at least 21 years old to foster and at least 18 years old to adopt. You — and all adults in your household — must pass a FBI and local criminal background check and have a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Department of Public Safety.

What are some of the characteristics of foster and adoptive parents?

Foster and adoptive parents can take many forms! Some characteristics include: being dependable, feeling a sense of commitment, having a great sense of humor, being willing to work as part of a team, wanting to help the community, feeling compassion towards others, and more!

Who will I work with as a foster parent?

Foster parents are part of a team! You will work with the child's assigned DCS Specialist and your agency Licensing Worker consistently. Some other members of the team may include: Behavioral Health Case Managers, a CASA, a GAL/attorney, case/parent aides, and others. Each child's case is different and will have different team members.

Do I have to be a foster parent before I can adopt a child?

No, you do not need to be a foster parent before you adopt a child. However, doing so will provide you with additional education and experience that may help you navigate the DCS/court/behavioral health systems, as well as the needs of caring for a child.

How do I become a foster parent?

Please call us for more information at 1-877-543-7633, Option 1. You can also view more information here.

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

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 for Foster Families

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].

The Foster Alliance

Formerly, AZ Helping Hands, The Foster Alliance 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. https://thefosteralliance.org/

Arizona Family Resources

Arizona Family Resources provides the following: general information about foster care, information on the medical needs for children in care, information about foster children in school, information about the foster care legal process, external support resources, local resources sorted by county, what to do in the event of an emergency, and information on supports and resources for youth preparing to age out of foster care. www.azfamilyresources.org

E3 AZ Foundation

E3 AZ Foundation’s mission is to encourage, equip, and empower youth in the community by providing goods and services that promote love, support, and motivation. e3az.org

Helen's Hope Chest

Helen's Hope Chest supports foster and kinship families by providing quality clothing, shoes, hygiene items, diapers, toys, books, hygiene items, and school supplies at no cost. Their unique design provides children and youth with a positive experience of shopping in a boutique-like environment. They serve children from newborns to 18 years of age. https://helenshopechest.org/

Arizona Department of Child Safety