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Frequently Asked Questions

Education

What is expected of me as a foster parent in the area of education?

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.

Is daycare available for the child in my care?

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.

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 https://www.azccrr.com/ and

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

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.

Financial

Does the state provide any financial assistance to help care for children in foster care?

Yes. There are funds available to care for the children, based on the child's level of need. Additionally, allowances may be provided for specific occasions and needs. The Go-To Guide explains more about the funds that may be available to you: https://dcs.az.gov/foster-and-adoption/gotoguide

What financial resources are available to me?

All unlicensed kinship caregivers will automatically receive a $75 monthly stipend per child. For questions on this, please contact your DCS Specialist, or the DCS Warmline at 1-877-543-7633, Option 3.

What financial resources are available to me? TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance will be awarded to any non-licensed foster family in most cases, regardless of the family’s income. The benefit will be based on the child(ren) being in foster care. A family is not eligible for this reimbursement in addition to the licensed foster care reimbursement. Ensure that the application notes that the family is an unlicensed foster parent. The DCS Case Manager must assist the family with the submission of the application.

More info on TANF can be found here, https://dcs.az.gov/foster-and-adoption/kinship-resources

What financial resources are available to me? Foster Care Reimbursement

You can learn about the different financial resources available for foster parents through DCS's Go-To Guide. You can find the guide here: https://dcs.az.gov/foster-and-adoption/gotoguide

What financial resources are available to me? WIC

For information on WIC, please visit: https://azdhs.gov/prevention/azwic/

What financial resources are available to me? SSI

For information on Social Security Income (SSI) benefits, please visit: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi/

Where can I find help for my utilities?

For utility assistance, please visit the Arizona Department of Economic Security at: https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/shelter-housing/utility-assistance

What if my child damages my property or my neighbor's property?

Liability coverage may be available under certain circumstances through the state's Provider Indemnity Program. You can find more information here.

Where can I get information about TANF?

Your DCS Specialist can assist you with obtaining TANF benefits. You can find more information here.

Foster Care and Adoption

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/

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Arizona Department of Child Safety