Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most schools offer parents an online portal where they can monitor their child's progress. You can contact your child's school for information on how to access the portal. As a foster caregiver, you are entitled to have access to this system.

Any child who qualifies for special education services has an IEP. The IEP is a plan tailored specifically to the individual child's needs. The IEP is intended to help the child succeed in the classroom. IEP's are created with input from teachers, counselors, parents, and the student. For more information, you can visit the Arizona Department of Education's website: https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation 

There are ten major steps for a student to get an IEP:

• Child is identified as possibly needing special education and related services.
• Child is evaluated.
• Eligibility is decided.
• Child is declared eligible for services.
• IEP meeting is scheduled.
• IEP meeting is held and the IEP is written.
• Special education services provided.
• Progress is measured and reported to parents.
• IEP is reviewed at least annually.
• The child is reevaluated for IEP eligibility every three years.
• For a complete description of each step, review 10 Basic Steps in Special Education.

 Caregivers should first work with the special education coordinator at the child’s school to discuss what services are in place and if any revisions need to be made. If a school continues to be noncompliant, the caregiver can request that the DCS specialist or therapist refer the child for services through Raising Special Kids.

You can also contact the Arizona Department of Education for information and support to ensure that Arizona schools are following special education laws.

The Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education can provide assistance to caregivers if they request it.

When a child is placed in your home, you will have a Best Interest Determination (BID) meeting with your case specialist to discuss school enrollment options and transportation to and from school. The BID will consider the wishes of the parent, caregiver, and child; the school’s distance from where the child is placed; the child’s age, personal connections, social, and emotional state; academic, developmental, language, and socialization needs; and the effect a school change will have on the child's learning, academic strength, and grade placement.

Caregivers are expected to communicate with the child's teacher, other education personnel and the child’s case specialist on a regular basis in order to monitor the child’s progress.

Children in DCS care may have their child care fees covered depending on the child care provider that you choose. Child care providers will receive payment up to the maximum reimbursement rate negotiated by the Department of Economic Security. There is no copayment for child care services. However, there may be additional charges that caregivers are responsible to pay if the provider’s rate exceeds the maximum reimbursement rate.

Children in foster care who are between 3 and 5 years old are also eligible for Head Start.