Frequently Asked Questions

• Participate in the Child and Family Team (CFT) Meetings
• Ensure the child attends appointments for services
• Document and report any incidents or changes regarding the child's behavior
• Ensure medications are administered correctly if prescribed
• Keep documentation for behavioral health services (CFT service plan, progress reports, etc)

The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) is a service system administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) that supports people who develop severe and/or chronic disabilities that may limit a person's ability to do the tasks related to daily living. If a child is enrolled in DDD, a support coordinator will be assigned to help determine a service plan to meet the needs of the child. For more information about eligibility, common developmental disability terms, and FAQs, visit https://des.az.gov/services/disabilities/developmental-disabilities.

The Mercy Care Department of Child Safety Comprehensive Health Plan (Mercy Care DCS CHP) is the single, statewide health plan, responsible for the physical, dental, and behavioral health services for all Arizona children in foster care.

Licensed foster parents should 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 should 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 the 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.

All prescriptions must be filled at a pharmacy in Mercy Care DCS CHP’s network. If you need pharmacy services after hours, on weekends or holidays, many pharmacies are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. 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.

Prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications are covered by Mercy Care DCS CHP. If the child needs medicine, the child’s health care provider will choose one from Mercy Care DCS CHP’s list of covered medications (called a formulary) and write a prescription. If you want a copy of the list, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services or go to the website at www.MercyCareAZ.org. If you are at a pharmacy and the pharmacy tells you that Mercy Care DCS CHP will not pay for the medication, call Mercy Care DCS CHP Member Services right away. Do not pay out of your own pocket for the medicine. If you have questions or problems outside Mercy Care business hours, you can call the Mercy Care 24-hour nurse line at 602-212-4983 or 1-833-711-0776 (TTY/TDD 711).