October 2023 Issue 67

National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an LGBTQ+ awareness day observed annually on October 11th to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning people to “come out of the closet.” Started in 1988, NCOD celebrates coming out and raises awareness of the LGBTQ+ community. Coming out can be terrifying if someone is unsure whether or not they will be accepted for who they are. People are often bullied, harassed, disowned, or ostracized within their own communities or families. LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of mental health issues, poverty, homelessness, and being victims of violent crimes. LGB youth whose families are "highly rejecting" are 8.4 times more likely to have attempted suicide as LGB youth who reported no or low levels of family rejection.

Seeing people living honest and open lives helps give LGBTQ+ people the courage to be themselves and persevere despite the adversity they face. In a world where people can still lose their jobs, their children, or even their lives for being LGBTQ+, it is important to provide our children with as much love and support as we can and give them positive role models, whether it’s family or friends, people in their community, or celebrities living out loud.

In the last 30 years, the estimated number of American adults on the LGBTQ+ spectrum has been about one in ten. As of 2020, that number is estimated to be one in six adults in Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), up more than one full percentage point from the 2017 results. This number increases with every generation, up from:

• 1 in 10 from Millennials (born 1981-1996)
• 1 in 25 from Gen X (born 1965-1980)
• 1 in 50 from Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)
• 1 in 100 from Traditionalists (born before 1946).

Each generation is becoming more comfortable with being open about their gender and sexual identities. With the rise of social media platforms, children and teens are seeing more and more people that they identify with and look up to. They may come to realize or affirm that they are LGBTQ+ and will need support and resources from their family and community.

So what should you do when a child in your care comes out to you? The most important first response is to tell them that you care about them, and give them a hug, if they’re comfortable with that. Thank them for sharing this with you, and let them know that you are willing to listen and learn how to help them in this journey. Then follow through on that promise. The Family Acceptance Project has several publications and resource materials to help families decrease risk and promote well-being for LGBTQ+ children and youth and to strengthen families. Some additional tips and information for supporting sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in children can be found on the AdoptUSKids blog.

Some local and national resources are listed below. Please use these in conjunction with the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standards to ensure the most appropriate and healthy conversations are being had. You may also review the Practice Guidelines for Engagement with LGBTQ+ Youth to ensure that children in DCS care are being treated with compassion and respect.

one-n-ten is a Phoenix-based organization that supports LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, ages 11-24. They offer a variety of empowering social and service programs that promote self-expression, self-acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices. Their programs include Housing and Homelessness Services; Life Skills, Workforce Readiness, and Financial Literacy classes; Suicide Prevention, Camp OUTdoors; the Youth Center and Satellite Sites; Parents' Group; and more.

Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Gender Support Program provides outpatient services that support the physical, mental, and social health of gender expansive children and youth and their families as they progress through gender identity development. They offer a variety of services including consultations with families, readiness evaluations for hormonal therapies, referrals to mental health providers, support and advocacy for patients and families, education and training, and more.

Pride Guide Arizona is a listing of businesses and organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community. They have listings for Northern Arizona, Phoenix Metro, Tucson Metro, and Southern Arizona. Categories include activities, churches, community resources, events calendar, professional services, and more. The listed businesses have submitted their information to Pride Guide, affirming that they are a safe, supportive business for LGBTQ+ Arizonans.

There are several Pride events throughout the state of Arizona. The purpose of Pride is to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons. Although Pride Month is celebrated nationally in June, some cities in Arizona celebrate it during cooler months, so be sure to check for your local Pride dates: Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Bisbee, Sedona, Navajo Nation.

Arizona Trans Youth & Parent Organization (AZTYPO) is a support group to empower children, teens, and their families in a supportive and inclusive environment in which gender may be freely expressed and respected. Parents, legal guardians and extended family can discuss the challenging issues, raise questions, seek and share resources, and listen to the experiences of others. The meetings take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays every month via Zoom.

As an organization dedicated to inclusiveness, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona values and celebrates the diversity and individuality of every child, volunteer, employee, board member, family and community partner. BBBS partners with one-n-ten Youth Center to provide mentors to children who identify as LGBTQ+. They will meet at least twice per month to spend time participating in activities they both enjoy.

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed. With over 400 chapters nationally, PFLAG provides confidential peer support, education, and advocacy to LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies. Arizona chapters are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Sierra Vista, and Sedona/Verde Valley.

The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) believes that every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and LGBTQ-inclusive K-12 education. They advise on, advocate for, and research comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ+ students as well as students of marginalized identities. They empower students to affect change by supporting student-led efforts to positively impact their own schools and local communities and have thousands of registered Gay/Straight Alliances nationwide. Every day GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment, with the goal of transforming our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming environment all youth deserve. Find resources, research, and programs at their website. There are chapters in Phoenix and Yuma.

Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. They offer a telephone lifeline, live chat, and secure texting crisis interventions. They also offer suicide prevention trainings and resources, including suicide prevention techniques for adults, ally training to help adults support the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and a free coming out handbook for LGBTQ youth.

Reminder: Social Security Number Requests

Tax season is coming up quicker than any of us want it to, so start preparing now! Ask the DCS Specialist for the social security numbers of the children in your care to ensure that you have the information before taxes are due!

Per DCS Policy Chapter 4: Section 6: If requested for a lawful purpose, the Department shall provide a foster parent or kinship caregiver with the social security number of a child in the foster parent’s or kinship caregiver’s care within 90 days of the foster parent’s or kinship caregiver’s request (verbal or written).

If a child does not currently have a SSN assigned, the request to have one assigned by the Social Security Administration can take around 60 days. However, if the child also does not have a birth certificate, that will need to be requested and received before the SSN request can be submitted. An in-state birth certificate should only take about 30 days to process and receive, unless the child was not born in a hospital or is a foundling. That process can take much longer, depending on the information that is available. The timeframe for out-of-state birth certificate requests varies by state and can take several months.

Per DCS Policy Chapter 4: Section 6: Within 30 days of the child entering out-of-home care, the Department shall request a birth certificate for a child who is in the custody of the Department and in out-of-home care, unless the child is returned to the custody of the child’s parent within that 30-day period.

If you have requested the social security number and have not received it within 60 days of the initial request, please follow up with the DCS Specialist. If the process is not moving along as it should and you feel the need to elevate the issue, please follow the Complaint Management Procedure as outlined in DCS Policy Chapter 7: Section 17: Complaints should be resolved among those most familiar with the situation and who have the ability to resolve the complaint. Case-related complaints should be first addressed with the DCS Specialist and may be elevated to the DCS Specialist's Supervisor if not satisfactorily resolved. After attempting to resolve the complaint with the DCS Program Supervisor, the complainant may elevate the concern to the Program Manager. After attempting to resolve the complaint with the Program Manager, the complainant may elevate the concern to the Office of the Ombudsman through the Online complaint form (www.azdcs.gov), by telephone (602-364-0777 or toll-free at 877-527-0765), or by email Ombudsman@azdcs.gov. If you need the contact information for the DCS Specialist or Supervisor, it is listed in Guardian under your Service Approvals. Warmline can also assist in providing the information or facilitating communication: 877-543-7633 option 3.

Best Interest Determination Meetings

Young people experiencing foster care have the right to remain in their school of origin, unless it is not in THEIR best interests to do so. It is important to remember that changes to school placement (outside of promotion) results in more trauma to children/youth through lost relationships/connections with peers and positive adults, as well as with academic progress.

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-351) and the Every Student Succeeds Act/ESSA of 2015 (P.L.114-95) outline the requirements for state child welfare and education partners to make efforts to maintain children/youth in their schools or origin, unless it is not in their best interest to do so, in which case immediate enrollment in the new school must occur.

Additionally, a NEW STATE LAW (effective 10/30/23) requires the determination of best interest (aka BID) be completed within five (5) days of entry into foster care or a change to the foster care living arrangement!

It is important to remember that there are many factors to consider.

Who should attend BID meetings and how are they scheduled?

The DCS Specialist is responsible for scheduling and facilitating the BID discussion. Participants should minimally include:

• the DCS Specialist (who schedules, facilitates and documents the determination),
• the child (if appropriate to their age and development),
• the school of origin/local education agency (LEA),
• parent(s),
• and the current caregiver.

Additional participants could include the potential new school (especially if there is a greater likelihood that the child/youth may change schools, such as due to a safety issue at the school or origin, or the distance/time would create a burden for the child/youth). If there is a greater likelihood that the child/youth will need to change schools and the child is receiving ESS/Special Education services, be sure to reach out to the LEA of the potential new school so they may review the special education needs and be prepared to address any issues. (You may include ESS staff in the BID, however, the BID is NOT for the purpose of requesting or changing ESS/Special Education services.)

What about transportation?

Transportation is a shared responsibility of the LEAs (schools) and the Child Welfare Agency. (Foster Caregivers are an extension of the Child Welfare Agency.) When creating a transportation plan, the best results come when all parties are open to creative ideas and sharing the important task of ensuring transportation to school is provided in the most normal manner that meets the safety (and other needs) of the student. Children/youth must be supported to continue to attend their school of origin during the BID process. Attendance should be in-person unless unsafe or not feasible for some reason, such as distance (or some other need of the student). If in-person attendance is not possible, coordinate with the school to arrange on-line attendance or some other strategy, such as completing packets at home.

DCS Foster Youth Education Guide

The DCS Foster Youth Education Guide has been updated! This guide is geared toward youth in foster care and provides statewide information and resources to assist youth with achieving educational success.

Some highlights of the guide and updates are:

• An education timeline to ensure students stay on track with tasks each year;
• A list of educational items that can be paid for by AFFCF;
• Information on what is needed to graduate from high school;
• Areas to create and keep track of educational goals;
• GED information;
• Statewide vocational program information;
• An updated list of free college prep and leadership programs available to foster youth; and
• A “how to” on applying for college admissions or vocational training and funding.

Young Women's Empowerment Event

Foster Arizona & Superstition Springs Mall are partnering to provide 75 young women (ages 8-13) in foster care with a FREE day of encouragement, education, and inspiration!

• Saturday, October 21, 2023, 9AM-4PM, Superstition Springs Mall (Near Ulta), Superstition Sprints Mall Cir., Mesa, AZ 85206

Click this link to sign up: https://rock.fosterarizona.org/registration/ywe2023. Notice to Provider must be uploaded as part of registration.

Foster Arizona’s mission is to give each of these beautifully sparkling young women the courage to be her own individual self, while building up a sense of self-worth and value at a crucial time in her development. Each young woman will be paired with a background-checked, female adult host to experience the day's activities.

The day includes:

• Hair consultation & haircut
• Skin-care consultation
• Motivational speaker
• Lunch

We hope that your young lady will join us for this amazing day!

Questions? Email Antonia Gibbons at antonia.gibbons@fosteraz.com.

Therapeutic Foster Care Info Sessions

Foster Cooperative

Foster Cooperative is an open-sourced online community powered by Foster Arizona for anyone helping children and youth facing adversity to find connections, peer support, quality resources and training, community events, and innovative communication methods to be empowered with tools needed to succeed.

Arizona State Parks - Free Passes

Foster families can receive a free pass to 30+ Arizona State Parks and Trails! Email engage@azdcs.gov and include the caregiver's full name and mailing address.

Birth to Five Helpline Awareness Week

The Birth to Five Helpline is a free resource for any caregiver, childcare provider or professional in Arizona with questions or concerns about a young child (pregnancy to 5 years of age). No problem is too big or too small for the Helpline early childhood specialists answering the calls. Call for yourself or together with a family you support to get the personalized recommendations our Helpline specialists can provide callers when dialing (877)-705-KIDS (5437). Bilingual, knowledgeable, and compassionate specialists are available Monday through Friday, from 8am to 8pm, for support, information, and resources. We also invite you to download the free app in the Apple App Store or on Google Play so you have the option of texting or emailing your questions as well.

Boys & Girls Clubs - Free After School Programming

Free Virtual Reading Program

AZAFAP Family Support Services

Free Counseling available to Basic (free) and Premier Members!

Don't miss your opportunity, as this project funded through Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation is closing soon.

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.

Services we offer include tutoring & extracurricular activities, food pantry, clothing, and meeting basic necessities. Other services include life skills for youth, respite care, therapeutic programs, family activities, peer-to-peer support groups, education and training on utilizing Jacob's Law to obtain behavioral health services, providing resources to families and caregivers to successfully navigate the foster care system, raising awareness, recruiting new foster families, and advocating for families and their children.

Arizona Helping Hands

Arizona Helping Hands provides essential needs for children in foster care in an effort to help every foster child feel safe and loved. Our programs provide beds, clothing, hygiene items, birthday packages, backpacks filled with school supplies, licensing safety items, foster footlockers, and more. Our services are open to kinship and foster families with a current Notice to Provider.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

AZAFAP wants to support you and the children in your family (foster, kinship, adopted, biological). We are a non-profit, statewide organization that serves families who adopt children and provide foster and kinship care. Working in partnership with child welfare professionals and the community, our 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. AZAFAP’s programming is open to all foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Arizona. Basic membership is free and includes a subscription to our monthly newsletter with information and resources, our online support groups, and some of our training. Premier membership is available for an annual fee of $75 for two-parent families and a discounted rate of $50 for single-parent families. Premier members are eligible to participate in all program activities. Our programming includes Family Connections events like camps, picnics, and staycations, Family Support Services such as training, Children’s Basic Needs with new shoes, jackets, toys, bikes, and Community Awareness events. Join us today before the Family Camp registration opens! Visit www.azafap.org/membership for more information.

Sign up on our Event Calendar! If you aren’t a member yet, check out our free membership so you can sign up! Ever need adult conversation during the week? We also have weekly drop-in chats on the calendar on Tuesdays and Fridays!

Christian Family Care Training

Helen's Hope Chest

At Helen's Hope Chest, our mission is to engage the community to provide for the basic needs of children and teens in foster and kinship care. Helen's provides more than just clothes for kids in care. It is important that every youth who comes through our door feels a sense of confidence, acceptance, and dignity. Our boutique environment allows kids to choose their favorite items and feel like they are in a regular store, all at no cost to the foster/kinship family.

Families with a current foster or kinship placement are encouraged to call us at 480-969-5411 to schedule an appointment.

A Mighty Change of Heart

A Mighty Change of Heart provides FREE duffle bags to foster children with new, age-appropriate items inside: 2 outfits, shoes & socks, underwear, a book, diapers/wipes, hygiene items, and more. These bags have the children’s names embroidered on them and are something that they can call their very own. They have delivered over 3,500 bags across the state.

Please check out their website for more information: www.amchaz.com. If your family, business, church group, or school would be interested in holding a donation drive, please contact A Mighty Change of Heart. Items are always needed.

Aviva Children's Services - Tucson