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Frequently Asked Questions

Legal

Foster Care Review Board

When a child is placed outside his/her own home, the Foster Care review Board (FCRB) reviews the case within six months of the original date of placement and every six months after that while the child remains in out-of-home care. The function of the FCRB is to review the case plan, and progress toward its goal and objectives and to make sure the child is receivingÂ appropriate care. The FCRB is made up of community members who are appointed by the juvenile court judge in each county. They are not employed by the Department of Child Safety or by the court. People who attend these reviews include the FCRB members, the DCS Specialist, and if appropriate, the parents, the child, andÂ the placementÂ and service providers. The FCRB makes recommendations to the court about individual cases but has no decision-making authority. The court considers the recommendations of the FCRB with other information such as evidence and testimony from parents, case managers and attorneys. You can find more information on FCRB by visiting the DCS Policy Manual website here.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)volunteers are citizens who are appointed by dependency court judges and are trained to investigate the circumstances of children who have been removed from their homes primarily due to abuse or neglect. They become a voice for foster children and help protect their rights by advocating for their best interests, their safety and permanency and by acting as eyes and ears for the court.

For additional information go to: www.azcourts.gov/CASA

What court will grant the adoption?

The juvenile court handles adoptions.

Foster Care - When the Court becomes involved in a DCS Case

All foster homes and other facilities used by DCS to provide temporary out-of-home care are licensed by the state and supervised by an assigned licensing worker. Foster parents are trained to provide care and to work with DCS and family members toward the goal of family reunification. DCS Specialist visit regularly with children and foster families to ensure that the necessary services are being provided and to monitor the childâ€™s progress. The department will provide all children with medical and dental services, which may include updating immunizations (If the parent has concerns regarding any medical treatment the DCS Specialists must be contacted). Whenever possible, children needing protection are placed with members of their extended family. Placements with relatives may occur during the period of temporary custody or at any later time. Relatives providing such placements must agree to a background investigation, a home evaluation, and sign an agreement with DCS that specifies the conditions of placement.

Where are FCRB meetings held?

Visit this website to learn more: https://www.azcourts.gov/fcrb/Adult-Participation/County-Locations

Services for the Family When There is Court Involvement

The Department of Child Safety provides services to help families deal with problems and work toward the goal of family reunification. Usually, there is no charge for these services. The DCS Specialist talks with family members to decide what is needed. There are also other agencies or groups in Arizona that offer help. Services that may be suggested include:

Help in getting food, housing, clothing and medical care.
Intensive family preservation services.
Psychological evaluations.
Individual, family or relationship counseling.
Day care.
Parent aide services.
Parenting skills training.
Educational programs, job training or vocational rehabilitation.
Sexual assault or domestic violence counseling.
Drug or alcohol treatment programs.
Peer self-help groups.

What is a case plan?

The Department shall facilitate the development of an individualized, family-centered, written case plan for every child, youth, and family receiving ongoing services from the Department.

The case plan identifies the permanency goal and target date, desired outcomes, tasks, time frames, and responsible parties. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual here.

Visitation - When the Court becomes involved in a DCS Case

Visitation with children in the custody of DCS is approved on a case-by-case basis. All case plans for children in out-of-home care include a Visitation Agreement which is developed by the case manager and family members. Family members include persons who are related by blood or law, are legal guardians, siblings, or adults with a meaningful relationship with the child. Family members should contact the child's DCS Specialist to request visitation.

What is a Safety Plan?

A Safety Plan is a written arrangement between the parent, guardian, and/or custodian; the responsible adult(s) who will take action to control danger threats; and the Department. The Safety Plan establishes how impending danger threats to child safety will be controlled. The Safety Plan describes safety actions that must be taken in order to control anticipated danger and prevent harm to the child. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual website here.

What is the difference between a GAL and a lawyer?

Gaurdian ad litums work in the best interest of the children. You can find informatio about GAL and other roles in the courts system here: https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/CSO-2143-gotoguide_Section8.pdf

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.

Parent Responsibilities - When the Court becomes involved in a DCS Case

During Department of Child Safety involvement, parents are expected to:

Work with DCS to solve family problems.
Attend and participate in case staffing's, FCRB reviews and court hearings.
Provide DCS with information about the children.
Keep DCS informed about changes such as a new address, telephone number, job, income, marriage, or other living changes.
Follow court orders.
Visit children regularly when they are in out-of-home placements.
Contribute to the cost of children's out-of-home care.
Keep appointments made with DCS, attorneys, therapists and others who are working with the family.
Immediately provide DCS the names, type of relationship and all information you have to locate persons related to or who have a significant relationship with your child. This includes the child's grandparents, great-grandparents, brothers or sisters of whole or half-blood, aunts, uncles and first cousins.
Tell DCS if you do not have enough information to locate a relative or person who has a significant relationship with the child.
If you do not have all of this information, immediately provide the information to DCS when you get the information.
Be ready to provide this information to the Juvenile Court at the Preliminary Protective Hearing.

What are my rights as a foster parent?

You can find foster parents' rights here: https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/8/00530.htm

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.

When Children Are Returned Home - When the Court becomes involved in a DCS Case?

The goal of DCS is to return every child who has been removed to a safe and permanent home. The agency helps parents in solving problems and making a safe living situation for their children. Although the DCS Specialist may recommend that a child return home, the court makes the final determination about when the child is returned. DCS works diligently with families to reunify them as quickly as possible and usually continues to provide needed services for some period after family reunification has occurred.

Arizona Department of Child Safety