Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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

Caregivers do not have to pay copayments for covered Mercy Care DCS CHP services. Always list Mercy Care DCS CHP as the responsible party for payment of health care services. You do not need to list any personal information on any bills or claims.

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, behavior not witnessed before and any other unusual incident that seriously jeopardized the health, safety, or well-being of a foster child 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.