CLICK to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
📞DCS Directory

Read our website in:

Frequently Asked Questions

Foster Care and Adoption

Where do I apply for Adoption Subsidy?

Your assigned adoption worker will help you complete the adoption subsidy application. Once completed, it is submitted to the DCS Adoption Subsidy Review Committee to determine eligilibility.

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/

Faith-Based Resources for Foster Families

Arizona 1.27

Arizona 1.27 is a church-based movement aimed at engaging local churches in the Arizona child welfare system. The organization trains churches how to best recruit and care for church members engaged in the ministry of foster care and adoption. www.az127.org

Hope & A Future

Hope & A Future serves abused and neglected children in the Arizona foster care system by helping them reach their potential and achieve their dreams through Christian values, encouragement, compassion and acceptance. Programs include camps, mentoring, scholarships and other fun opportunities for youth.
www.azhope.com

OCJ Kids

OCJ Kids (Opportunity, Community, Justice for Kids) provides tools, resources, life skills training, financial literacy and caring adult mentors for foster youth living in group homes. www.ocjkids.org

Am I eligible for medical leave (FMLA)?

You can find information about using Family Medical Leave (FMLA) for foster parents on the U.S. Department of Labor's website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

Health

My child got hurt; who should I contact?

Licensed foster parents are to notify DCS and their licensing agency within 24 hours if their child has an illness, injury, change of medication, or medication error that results in seeking medical attention.

Licensed foster parents are to notify DCS and their licensing agency immediately if their child dies, has a serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization, or receives urgent care or emergency room treatment and whenever emergency services (911) is contacted.

Within 24 hours of any of the above noted incidents, licensed foster parents shall complete an Unusual Incident Report form and submit it to their licensing agency.

Unlicensed kinship foster parents are to notify DCS within 2 hours of the following: death of a child or hospitalization (medical or psychiatric.

Unlicensed kinship foster parents are to notify DCS within 48 hours if the child becomes seriously ill.

What behavioral health services require DCS consent?

DCS must consent to inpatient assessment, inpatient psychiatric care services, residential treatment services, therapeutic group homes, and Home Care Training to Home Care Client (HCTC).

What health insurance does the child in my care have?

Mercy Care Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan (Mercy Care DCS CHP) is the health plan for Arizona’s children in foster care. Mercy Care DCS CHP is a program administered by DCS. Children in foster care are automatically enrolled in Mercy Care DCS CHP.

How do I get the child in my care evaluated for psychotropic medications?

A request for an evaluation for medication can be made through the Child and Family Team (CFT) or directly through the health care provider. The decision to have the child evaluated is made in collaboration with the CFT, which includes the DCS Specialist. Any concerns discussed at the CFT are shared with the child’s prescribing doctor.

What is Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS)?

Certain disabilities qualify children for Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS). ALTCS is the State of Arizona's Medicaid program that funds long-term care services, for financially and medically eligible Arizona residents. Once eligibility has been determined for ALTCS services, the child will be enrolled with a Health Plan (Mercy Care, Care 1st or United Healthcare). The health plan will provide the services the child is qualified for.

What should I do if I have a grievance about behavioral health services?

If services are not initiated within 21 calendar days or there are any other concerns regarding behavioral health services, the caregiver must notify both the behavioral health plan's Children's Liaison and AHCCCS Customer Service.

Who can I contact in a crisis?

For all medical emergencies, dial 911 immediately. If you or a child or youth in your care are facing a behavioral health crisis, you can call one of the Arizona crisis lines listed below. Call anytime, 24/7, for crisis intervention, support and referrals.

Central Arizona Crisis Line (serves Maricopa County):602-222-9444 or 1-800-631-1314 (toll-free) TTY: 602-274-3360 or 800-327-9254
Northern Arizona Crisis Line (serves Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties): 1-877-756-4090
Southern Arizona Crisis Line (serves Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties or the San Carlos Apache Reservation): 1-866-495-6735
Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities: 1-800-259-3449
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community: 1-855-331-6432

What should I do if I have a grievance about health services for the child?

Grievances can be filed at any time verbally or in writing. To file a grievance, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Grievance System Department at 602-586-1719, toll-free at 1-866-386-5794, or fax to 602-351-2300, or email [email protected]. You can also send grievances in writing to Mercy Care DCS CHP, Grievance System Department, 4755 S. 44th Place Phoenix, AZ 85040.

Which pharmacy should I go to?

You can find a list of pharmacies in the Mercy Care DCS CHP Provider Directory. Visit www.MercyCareAZ.org and select “For Members” under Mercy Care DCS CHP. You’ll locate “Find a Pharmacy” in the upper right corner of the screen.

How do I organize and store the child's behavioral health information and records?

It is a good idea to keep the child's records in a notebook or binder that you can bring to Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings and other appointments. This will help you organize and store all of the child’s records, information, and documents. If the child moves to a new foster home, send this notebook/binder to the child's DCS Specialist. Also, remember that the child's case record is confidential. Be sure to keep the child's records stored in a secure location in your home that only caregiver (you) can access.

Arizona Department of Child Safety