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Frequently Asked Questions

Kinship

Do kinship caregivers have to supervise visits between parents and their children?

No, kinship caregivers are not required to supervise visits. However, if the kinship caregiver is comfortable and the DCS Specialist approves, the kinship caregiver can supervise visits.

What are the different types of kinship/foster care?

Formal kinship care refers to when children are placed in the legal custody of the State by a judge, and the Department of Child Safety places the children with a kinship caregiver (relative or an adult who has a significant relationship with the child).

Formal Kinship caregivers are expected to follow the guidelines set by the DCS in regard to education, medical needs, discipline, and contact with parents. In these cases, children have services provided by the DCS including medical insurance, behavioral health services and a reimbursement provided to caregivers at an unlicensed rate.

Formal Kinship caregivers also have the option of becoming licensed for the children in their care.

Licensed foster care refers to a kinship or non-kinship caregiver who has gone through the licensing process and has been granted a foster care license through the Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR). In addition to working with system partners such as DCS and other service providers, a licensed foster home is monitored by a foster care licensing agency that can provide additional supports and advocacy to the family as well as help the family maintain their home in compliance with licensing requirements.

Kinship Foster Care resources can be found here, https://dcs.az.gov/foster-and-adoption/kinship-resources

What medical and dental insurance do children in foster care have and what does it cover?

Children in foster care are covered under the Comprehensive Medical and Dental Plan (CMDP). Visit https://dcs.az.gov/services/cmdp for information on providers who accept CMDP and what CMDP covers.

Legal

Who should I call to report suspected maltreatment?

You call the DCS Hotline at 1-888-SOS-CHILD or 1-888-767-2445

When should I make a report?

DCS encourages you to make a report any time you reasonably suspect a child has been abused or neglected.

What questions do I ask if I suspect abuse/neglect?

If the information has not been volunteered, ask the child ONLY these four questions:

What happened?
Who did this to you?
Where were you when this happened?
When did this happen?

What are my rights regarding visitation?

The Department shall facilitate frequent parenting time and ongoing contact between a child in out-of-home care and the child’s parents, siblings not placed together, relatives, friends, and other individuals with significant relationships to the child to preserve and enhance relationships with, and attachments to, the family and culture of origin. This contact may be restricted or denied only when a court finds that parenting time or contact is contrary to the child’s safety or well-being. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual website here.

Should the child in care attend court hearings?

Children in care have the right to attend court hearings. Many factors should be considered when deciding whether or not a child in care should attend a hearing, including the child’s age and maturity level, the impact on the child’s education (if the hearing is during school hours), the existence of a no contact order, and the information expected to be discussed at the hearing.

What are my rights regarding Team Decision making (TDM) meetings?

The purpose of a TDM meeting is to engage the family in decisions about the safety, stability, and permanency of a child at critical points in a case. The meeting is a collaboration between the Department, parents, guardians and/or custodians, child(ren), extended family and kin, family support persons, and service providers. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual website here.

What are the grounds for terminating parental rights in Arizona?

A.R.S. 8-533

Does a child need to give consent for adoption or guardianship?

If the child is 12 years or older, they must consent to the adoption, unless the court determines otherwise.
If a child is 14 years or older, they must consent to a guardianship before it is granted.

Do I need to hire a lawyer to file for adoption?

Yes. The cost of the adoption attorney will be reimbursed.

What court will grant the adoption?

The juvenile court handles adoptions.

I would like to adopt my grandchild. What will change?

If you adopt your grandchild, you will become the legal parent and make all parental decisions for the child.

What is guardianship?

With respect to a minor, Guardianship means the duty and authority to make important decisions in matters affecting the child. You can find more information in regards to Guardianship and DCS you can visit the DCS Policy Manual website here.

Arizona Department of Child Safety