January 2026 Issue 94

Mentoring in Foster Care

Mentoring can be an important resource for youth in foster care. Many youth in foster care have experienced trauma, disruption, and instability in their lives and may benefit from the consistent support and guidance of a mentor. A mentor can provide a sense of stability and serve as a role model for the youth, helping them to develop positive relationships and build life skills. Mentoring can also help youth in foster care to feel more connected to their community and to develop a sense of belonging. It can provide an opportunity for youth to explore new interests and activities and to gain confidence and self-esteem. There are many different mentoring programs available for youth that will focus on typical child/teen areas, such as education, career development, or sports, while others provide more general support and guidance. It can be helpful to find a program that is tailored to the needs and interests of the youth and that is able to provide the right level of support and guidance. There are also programs that have been created specifically for youth in foster care. These mentors will have an understanding of the unique situations our youth experience.

• Arizonans for Children
• Big Brothers Big Sisters
• Boys Hope Girls Hope
• Florence Crittenton
• Free Arts
• Future for Kids
• Girls on the Run
• Hope & A Future
• New Pathways for Youth
• YMCA

Youth in care are not the only ones that can benefit from mentoring. Foster parents can play a valuable role in supporting and mentoring birth parents as they work towards reunification with their children. Many foster parents have a strong commitment to supporting families and helping to preserve the bond between parents and children. Foster parents can provide support to birth parents in a number of ways. They can provide emotional support, by offering a listening ear and a non-judgmental space for birth parents to share their thoughts and feelings. Foster parents can also serve as role models for birth parents, showing them what it looks like to provide a loving and supportive home for children. They can help birth parents to develop parenting skills and to understand the needs of their children. It is important for foster parents to remember that their role is to support and mentor birth parents, rather than to take over their role as parents. Foster parents should respect the birth parents' autonomy and decision-making authority, and should work together with them to plan for the reunification of their children. Overall, foster parents can play a valuable role in supporting and mentoring birth parents as they work towards reunification with their children. By providing practical and emotional support, foster parents can help birth parents to develop the skills and confidence they need to provide a safe and loving home for their children.

National Hobby Month

Children need opportunities to express themselves and build self-esteem. Hobbies are an excellent way to do that! They can also be educational, by teaching them about the world around them or helping them set and achieve goals, solve problems, and make decision. They can also help determine what your child does later in life, as hobbies often turn into lifelong interests or careers. Provide your child with space for their hobby, and provide them with guidance, support, and encouragement. Teach them about perseverance even when things get tough and they want to quit; teach them personal responsibility and show them how to care for their tools and keep their work space clear. Hobbies can also help with developmental delays/deficiencies by having the child work on fine or gross motor skills, balance, counting, etc. Try consulting with your child’s service providers to see what hobbies they could try that may help enhance the areas where they struggle. There is a plethora of hobbies that are great for children. As always, this is not an all-inclusive list, and DCS does not endorse any particular business. Check out your local community for resources. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation may be able to help cover the cost of classes and supplies. The programs through Free Arts are built using a trauma informed approach. Each program is constructed based on our program model ART + MENTORS = RESILIENCE and is led by trained staff, teaching artists, or volunteer mentors. Programs are evaluated on an ongoing basis to measure impact and ensure that children feel connected, creative, and cared for. Programs include a Weekly Mentor program, Professional Artist Series (focused art-making sessions designed to develop skills and self-efficacy, including painting, drawing, cooking, dancing, drumming, and beat-making), Camp Series, and more. BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art & Salvage) is a worker self-directed nonprofit 501(c)(3) bicycle center located just north of downtown Tucson. Relying largely on generous donations from our community, and responsible stewardship of those donations, BICAS is able to provide a variety of programs to learn how to fix a bicycle, earn a bicycle, create unique art from recycled materials, and provide programs specifically targeted towards youth. We believe in bicycles and other human-powered machines as essential vehicles for transportation justice, and we are always striving to make them more accessible to our community. Youth programs include Earn-a-Bike Classes (ages 9-13 and 13-18) and Youth Drop In (ages 8-18). Childsplay’s mission is to create theatre so strikingly original in form, content or both that it instills in young people an enduring awe, love and respect for the medium, thus preserving imagination and wonder, those hallmarks of childhood that are the keys to the future. Their programs are extensive, including drama classes, Youth Ensemble Theatre, Inc., Young Playwrights for Change, Conservatory, Homeschool Classes, and more. Phoenix Center for the Arts provides arts and culture opportunities for all through education, programming, and advocacy. The Center strives to be the premiere provider of arts and cultural experiences that improve, stimulate, and unite the communities we serve. The Center offers classes in art, music, theatre, writing, and dance classes for youth ages from ages 6 to 18. Sunshine Craft Co prides itself on curating quality workshops for the creative crafter. Each student is able to learn a new skill during our workshop classes and put it into practice while receiving tips and tricks as they go. With our small workshop environment, each student will receive one-on-one attention and individual help. Each month our calendar of events changes to include a variety of macramé classes, painting experiences, community events, and visiting guest artists! Arizona Science Center's CAMP INNOVATION will inspire and engage curious minds through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning. Camps vary throughout the year and include hands–on activities connected to fun and exciting themes. University of Arizona offers Youth & Family programming at UA Campus Recreation. Give your kiddos active, social and safe experiences at one of Campus Recreation's camps! Held throughout the year at our SouthRec facility and open to the Tucson and University communities, campers age 5 to 14 are provided a wide range of activities to help them learn and grow...and quite possibly, one day, become a future Wildcat. Lowell Observatory will be holding camps throughout the year, including early learner camps for ages 3-6, elementary school camps for grades 1-6, and middle school camps for grades 7-9. Tempe Yarn & Fiber (TYF), a family owned and operated local yarn shop, is committed to providing you the best products and the tools needed to be successful. We firmly believe: "it's not just a yarn shop....it's a community!" Classes include knitting, crochet, and spinning. We even have a weekly knit night to build up the fiber arts community! At Sewin’ Asylum, we believe that sewing gives individuals an opportunity to be creative, problem-solve, and learn new things. When a child learns a new skill, they express joy and confidence. In this world we live in, sewing creates an opportunity to recycle, be self-reliant, and be bold. Let your child experience his or her creativity while sewing clothing, crafts, or quilts. We provide them the experience to learn something new while encouraging a growth mind-set and utilizing math-skills. Spilled Batter is dedicated to whisking up confidence, creativity, and collaboration in kids by teaching them lifelong skills in the kitchen. From cooking and baking basics, to more elaborate meal preparation, Spilled Batter is the go-to school in Scottsdale, Arizona for children ages 3-13 to attend single classes, birthday parties or other themed sessions, and seasonal camps. Located in downtown Phoenix, Curious Nature is a fine science and natural history emporium for all things fantastic and strange. From ethically sourced taxidermy, skulls, and bones, to exotic plants, collectibles, and gifts, our store offers an ever-changing assortment of oddities and museum quality specimens. Whether you're starting a new collection, or are a life-long enthusiast of all things unique, there’s something new for everyone to discover. After all, curiosity is eternal. When school is out, camp is in at Engineering for Kids of Phoenix Metro! In addition to offering the most extensive list of STEM curriculum, we partner with the coolest kid-friendly venues so kids can enjoy physical activities and play during the day. We are Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers, Makers and Creators. In our camps, students design, build, test and improve upon their projects while building the teamwork and collaboration skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Kids are naturally curious about how things work and our programs give them an outlet to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on way. Phoenix Youth Circus Arts uses the fun and creative world of circus arts to teach skills that build the mind, body, and self-esteem in children and youth of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Through the learning and performing of individual and group circus acts, students develop healthy bodies, confident spirits, and valuable capacities for cooperation and trust in a challenging, but non-competitive environment. At Mad Science, we believe that fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and math at a young age will give children the confidence they need to excel in these fields. Our unique approach gives children a solid scientific foundation that goes beyond the classroom. Children engage in hands-on activities, watch spectacular demos, and take home an educational science toy every class. Outschool offers over 140,000 interactive online classes to keep kids ages 3-18 engaged with thousands of classes and camps on the topics they're most passionate about! YouTube has videos about just about any craft or subject imaginable! Check it out for tutorials and informational videos! Your local Parks and Recreation is a fantastic resource for a variety of hobbies, from sports to the arts to practical skills. Phoenix // Tucson // Flagstaff Kids Out and About provides a large listing of activities and programs by region. Check it out for plenty more opportunities that did not make this list! Bonus points: Involve your kiddo's family members in the hobby! Invite them to classes or send supplies with the child for parenting time to share. Send completed projects as gifts for the parent's birthday or upcoming holidays. Ask the parents about their hobbies and ask them to share with the child during parenting time.

Foster Care Review Board

Adoption Tax Credit

Tax season is coming up quickly. Be prepared and knowledgeable regarding how foster care and adoption affect your tax preparation. Note: DCS employees are NOT tax professionals and CANNOT answer tax questions. Your assigned Specialist can provide you with the SSN of the children in your care or a letter stating placement dates if an audit occurs. Consult a tax professional for further questions.

• IRS Topic 607: Adoption Credit
• IRS Publication 4694: Raising Grandchildren
• IRS Qualifying Child Rules
• 1040.com Foster Parent Tax Guide

Post-Permanency Supports Orientation

Dependency 101 Class

Arizonans for Children Free Foster Festival

SWAPPOW

High-Five

If you want to recognize a foster family, a licensing worker or agency, DCS Specialist/Supervisor or other employee, community partner, attorney, CASA, judge, mentor, or other fostering community member, please fill out the High-Five Nomination Form linked below.

League of Extraordinary Grandparents

ASA Now

ASA Now is a non-profit organization that ADVOCATES for, SUPPORTS, and ASSISTS children and families impacted by foster care. We are passionate about providing support to families and professionals by restoring hope and empowering them to better serve these children in need.

Warmline Supports Kinship and Foster Families

The Foster Parent Warmline is available for kinship families and licensed foster parents. While not an emergency number, Warmline staff can assist with information, timely communication, and support. It is not intended to discourage or replace direct and regular communication between the DCS Specialist and the out-of-home caregiver. You can reach the Warmline by calling 1-877-KIDSNEEDU (1-877-543-7633). Please be prepared with your name, the child's name, DOB, and dates of placement/departure, as well as an explanation of the issue. The Warmline is manned by staff Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (AZ time), excluding state holidays. You may also send an email to Warmline@azdcs.gov and include the above information.

Children's Heart Gallery

More than 70 percent of the children in need of forever families are adopted by their relatives or foster parents. For the remainder, special recruitment efforts like the Heart Gallery are used to connect them with a forever family.

The children featured in the Heart Gallery represent all ethnic groups and range in age from toddlers to teenagers. Some have special behavioral or medical needs, some are without siblings, and others are in groups of siblings.

Kayson