Status message

The NEW online system for mandated reporters is now available, please login or register HERE.

You can also call the Hotline 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445) to make a report.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety is currently transitioning to the new Guardian information management system. During this timeframe and for several days following the transition, there may be longer than normal wait times. Thanks in advance for your patience.

COVID-19 Information and Resources ›

Arizona Department of Child Safety

CLICK to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
📞DCS Directory

Read our website in:

Frequently Asked Questions

Education

How can I locate a child care provider?

Your DCS Specialist will help you identify an eligible child care provider by doing the following:

Refer you to the Child Care Resource and Referral: 1-800-308-9000 or www.arizonachildcare.org; and

Assist you to verify the identified provider has a current DES registration agreement and has a vacancy.

How can I get the child in my care free software for school?

Microsoft offers eligible students Office 365 Education for free. To see if you child qualifies, you can enter his school email address at this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office

What is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

ESSA is a federal law designed to ensure educational stability for foster children. ESSA states that foster children must remain in their original school if it is in their best interests to do so. If it is determined the child should enroll in a new school, ESSA allows the child to be enrolled immediately with just a Notice to Provider.

Where can I get more information about educating children in foster care?

The Arizona Department of Education has information and resources for children in care. You can find more informaion here: https://www.azed.gov/fostercare/resources

What school should I enroll the child in care into?

Federal law requires schools and child welfare agencies such as DCS to help children in foster care remain in the school they attended prior to coming into care.

Your school district liaison will work with the DCS specialist to determine school selection, enrolling the child, and a transportation plan.

You can find contact information for your school district's liaison here: https://www.azed.gov/fostercare/foster-care-liaisons.

If it is decided that the child will not remain in their school of origin, you can enroll the child in any local public or charter school. You can also discuss with your DCS specialist if it is appropriate to enroll the child in an online school, private school or alternative school if those options meet the child’s educational needs.

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.

What documents are needed to roll the child in care in school?

According to federal law, schools must enroll foster children whether or not the foster parent has all of the required documentation. You should be able to enroll the child with the Notice to Provider that was given to you by the DCS specialist. You do not have to have the child's birth certificate, immunization records, or prior school transcripts to enroll the child in school.

If you experience any trouble enrolling the child in school, please contact your school district's ESSA liaison; you can find contact information for your school district's liaison here: https://www.azed.gov/fostercare/foster-care-liaisons

Who is responsible for transporting the child in care if the child remains enrolled in the school of origin?

The DCS specialist will discuss with the out-of-home caregiver and other team members to ensure transportation to school. Transportation options include: caregiver or another responsible adult transports the child directly to school or a designated school bus stop; car pool approved by caregiver; school provides transportation through a bus route or other service; public transportation, if appropriate to the child’s age and safety needs; or a DCS transportation vendor.

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.

What information can I share with the school?

You may share information with school staff that is relevant to the education of the child, including trauma history or behavior that affects the child's ability to learn and interact at school.

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

Can the child in my care be photographed or videotaped for the yearbook, school videos, and other school venues?

Children in care can be photographed for school yearbooks, videos, etc. However, children should not be identified as a foster child in any publication.

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

Can I sign the paperwork to enroll the child in my care in extracurricular activities and/or attend field trips?

Yes. The Notice to Provider allows you to sign permission slips from school and register the child in sports and other extracurricular activities.

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

« first
‹ previous
…
3
4
5
6
7
…
next ›
last »

Status message

Arizona Department of Child Safety

Read our website in:

Main menu

Frequently Asked Questions

Education

Footer Nav

Footer SM