September 2025 Issue 90

Hispanic Heritage Month

According to the 2023 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data, 21% of children in foster care identify as Hispanic. Arizona exceeds that statistic at 33%. However, 63% of children adopted through foster care nationally have non-Hispanic white parents, and 27% have non-Hispanic black parents. Only 5% are adopted by parents of Hispanic origin. This leaves many children without any natural ties to their cultural heritage, which they are entitled to, according to the Arizona Revised Statutes 8-529: “(A child in foster care has the right) To attend community, school and religious services and activities of the child's choice to the extent that it is appropriate for the child, as planned and discussed with the child's placement worker and caseworker and based on caregiver ability if transportation is available through a responsible party.” Studies have shown that cultural identity contributes to greater self-esteem, higher education levels, better psychological adjustment, improved coping abilities, stronger mental health resilience, and higher levels of social well-being, among other benefits. As foster parents, it is your responsibility and your privilege to ensure that the children in your care know where and who they came from.

Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15, traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. It is a starting point to ensure that children of Hispanic/Latinx origin feel connected to their culture. If you unsure how the child identifies or which term is accurate, ask your Specialist to clarify with the family or ask the family directly if you feel comfortable doing so. If you would like to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month and enjoy some of the virtual events, the Smithsonian Institute has put together some resources.

Children in care represent a variety of cultures. Remember that cultures are defined by race, ethnicity, economic class, language, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, geography, immigration status, and so forth, so the children in your care may have many cultural identities. If possible, have conversations with the child and with the family (even if only through the Specialist or GAL) to find out which cultures they identify with and what is important to them.

There are many ways to recognize and validate the child’s cultural identities in your home. Ask the family for additional suggestions.

• Talk about the child's culture often and openly. Ask the child what is important to them. If you feel comfortable speaking directly to their parents or through a third party, such as the Specialist or behavioral health case manager, you can ask specific questions about their history, traditions, and so much more.
• Choose toys that respect the child’s culture, such as a baby doll with their skin tone, features, or disability representation.
• Seek out events (when it is safe to do so), that celebrate the cultural aspect that the child/family has expressed are important to them, such as community activities, music festivals, food gatherings, etc. For example, City of Peoria is hosting Somos Peoria, a multicultural festival celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Provide access to books that reflect the child’s cultural identities. You can find applicable books at the Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature, Goodreads, and the Anti-Defamation League's list of multicultural and anti-bias books for children.
• Foster and develop relationships with people of the same culture. It will benefit the child to know people that they can identify with, especially people that can be role models, such as pediatricians, hairdressers, teachers, etc. Representation matters.
• If food is important to the child’s familial culture, ask the parents for some recipes that the child enjoys and incorporate them into your normal meal rotation. Or if the parent has the means, ask them to bring some of those foods to their visits with the child.
• Find out what holidays are important to the child’s family and ask them how best to celebrate them with the child or how to incorporate some of their traditions with your own.
• If there is a preferred language for the child, learn some basic words or phrases to improve communication. There are foreign language classes available online and at all Arizona community colleges. American Sign Language educational videos are available free on YouTube.
• If music is important to the child’s culture, help them access it through music streaming services or renting CDs from the local library.
• Seek out community supports for the child if you need additional resources. one-n-ten serves the LGBTQ+ community as young as 10 years old. Arizona Hands and Voices is a non-profit that provides resources for families of deaf and hard of hearing children. Girls Rule Foundation empowers girls 12-18 in the areas of self-esteem, leadership, and financial/career skills. Resources are just a Google away!

Secondary Traumatic Stress

In child welfare circles, we often hear terms like “burnout,” “compassion fatigue,” and “vicarious trauma.” Burnout is a fairly general concept that has been frequently utilized to refer to the worker’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with their employment position. Compassion fatigue is often referred to as a broader concept to encompass the cumulative personal impacts associated with engaging in a helper role. Vicarious trauma generally is noted to address the internal cognitive changes that occur in an individual’s perception about others and the world as a result of their ongoing work in a helping professional role.

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) specifically refers to the notion that an individual, who did not experience a particular traumatic event, has, in the course of secondary exposure to another person’s direct traumatic experience, developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

• hyper arousal (anxiety, irritability, heavy sense of guilt or shame, difficulties concentrating)
• avoidance (lack of connection or holding back in relationships due to fear of rejection or disapproval)
• emotional numbing/shut down
• fear
• sleep difficulties
• intrusive thoughts/images
• feeling withdrawn and isolated
• Physical indicators can also be present, including headaches, backaches, stomach aches, and exhaustion.

Due to the emotionally stressful work and the resultant impacts on workers, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network has indicated that, “The development of secondary traumatic stress is recognized as a common occupational hazard for professionals working with traumatized children.” Though there has not been much formal research into the topic, it is believed that STS impacts the foster caregiver community, as foster caring is a profession where the boundaries between private and professional lives are particularly blurred.

Foster parents may hear firsthand the stories of the traumatic experiences of the children in their care. They may also witness the physical and psychological impacts of those traumatic experiences on the children placed in their homes. Sometimes they can also find themselves helping the child to recover from physical injuries following removal from abusive or neglectful situations. They may have children in their care where they are reminded every day of the trauma the child endured as they see the lasting physical and emotional scars that were inflicted on the child.

They may also experience direct trauma, such as processing losses when foster children leave their homes, dealing with feelings of being overwhelmed with difficult cases and not knowing how to help, and not having someone to talk to who understands from a personal perspective. These were all noted to be personal challenges and impacts of their role, which can contribute to STS or even lead to a separate diagnosis of PTSD.

A study surveyed foster parents in Kent County, Michigan, regarding the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Findings of this study indicated 20% of foster parents reported experiencing moderate to severe levels of STS and 12% of foster parents to be meeting criteria consistent with diagnosis of PTSD as a result of indirect exposure to their foster child’s trauma. Findings support the view that STS is a substantial risk factor in foster caring, however we can work as a team to help mitigate the risk.

Foster parents who perceive having the support they need in their caregiving role experience lower STS outcomes. Though a significant percentage of respondents in the study stated no concerns regarding the level of support received, a larger portion stated that they needed:

• time (i.e. regular breaks, guilt-free respite, time with friends/family)
• specific training (such as trauma-informed care)
• therapeutic support (regular counseling/therapy if needed)
• general professional support (communication, respect, inclusion). If licensed, the Licensing Worker can help to support the family and work to minimize STS. If the family is unlicensed, a Kinship Support Specialist can be a bridge to help the family access resources and support within the community.

Self-care was also noted to have a significant, indirect effect on the STS rate, preventing it from developing into a chronic condition, with activities including hobbies (physical activity: exercise, yoga; outdoor activities: hiking, gardening; creative outlets: crafting, music), reading, and trips. Caregivers should also set boundaries and limits to help prevent feeling overwhelmed and adding to their trauma and stress. The study also found that foster caregivers may find that satisfaction from helping others through their work mitigates the development of STS, possibly through a mentor or volunteer role or by participating in support groups. For more information on these options, reach out to your licensing agency.

Initial Placement Information

When a child initially comes into DCS care, there are often a lot of unknowns. The primary focus is getting the child out of an unsafe situation and locating a safe, stable home. Sometimes, the process moves quickly, but there are procedures in place to ensure that the caregiving family is receiving the tools and resources to best care for the child.

One of those resources is the Initial Placement Information (form CSO-2599), which includes (if known):

• DCS Contact Information (DCS Specialist and Supervisor);
• Information about the child;
• Visitation (parenting time) and contacts;
• Health/physical impairments/conditions;
• Behavioral/emotional/psychological/psychiatric information;
• Educational needs;
• Instructions on accessing the Guardian Provider Portal;
• Notice to Provider (educational, medical);
• Notice of Rights for a Child in Out-of-Home Care;
• Arizona Revised Statutes 8-529; and
• Resource items: Behavioral Health Services for Children in Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Care; Crisis Services for Children in Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Care.

The complete Placement Packet can be obtained through the Guardian Provider Portal. Additional items that may be found in the Portal include but are not limited to:

• Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan New Member Packet;
• Child's (temporary or permanent) Mercy Care DCS CHP member identification card;
• Available immunization record;
• Copy of a minute entry setting future hearings;
• Case plan; and
• Copy of the most recent Foster Care Review Board report.

The DCS Specialist shall follow procedures outlined in Policy to provide:

• a child in the custody of the Department, age 14 years and older, with the child’s social security card within 120 days of receiving a written request from the child
• a youth at least 16 years old in the custody of the Department shall have access to their vital documents within 60 days after coming into care
• a birth certificate for a child in the custody of the Department, in out-of-home care, within 30 days of the child’s removal (unless the child returns to the custody of the parent during the 30-day period)
• a foster or kinship caregiver with the child’s social security number within 90 days of the request if it is for a lawful purpose

When requested for a lawful purpose (such as enrollment in educational or social activities, etc.), the DCS Specialist shall provide the out-of-home caregiver with the social security number of a child placed in their care by the Department within 90 days of receipt of a written or verbal request from the caregiver. (Please keep in mind that children often come into care with no SSN assigned. This process can take at least 60 days for children who already have a birth certificate and much longer for those that do not have one, were not named by their parents, or were not born in a hospital. If you anticipate being eligible to claim the child on your taxes for this year, please reach out to the DCS Specialist as soon as possible so that they can ensure the SSN is received in a timely manner.)

If you are having difficulty obtaining any of these documents or information, there are supports available to assist you. If it is vital information necessary to keep the child safe (Notice to Provider, allergy information, etc.), please reach out to the DCS Specialist and Program Supervisor immediately or the Child Abuse Hotline if it is outside of business hours (M-F 8am-5pm, closed on state holidays). Elevate the issue in the timeframe that you feel is appropriate given the urgency of the situation. If it is a matter that is not urgent, contact the DCS Specialist and allow 24-48 hours for a response. If it is still not resolved, copy the Program Supervisor on your follow-up email. If you do not receive a resolution from either within 24-48 hours, follow up and include the Program Manager on the email. If this does not provide you with a resolution, you can contact the Warmline for assistance at 877-543-7633 option 3 or warmline@azdcs.gov, or you can choose to elevate the issue to the DCS Office of the Ombudsman.

Icebreaker Meetings

When a child is in out-of-home care, there is often a lot of fear and anxiety on the side of both the parents (biological) and caregiver (foster family). The parents don't know who is caring for their child, how they are caring for them, if they are supporting the child's culture, etc. The caregiver doesn't know the child's needs or history, what sort of cultural practices the child has, the child's likes/dislikes, etc. The best way to put everyone at ease is to have them communicate directly through Shared Parenting.

Shared Parenting is a positive, supportive alliance between caregivers and parents who have an open case with DCS. The goal is to keep the parents involved in their child's day-to-day life and to provide the caregiver with important insight about the child. Shared Parenting minimizes the trauma experienced by children when they are removed from their home. It seeks to preserve and nurture the child's relationship with parents, siblings, and extended family. It provides caregivers with necessary information about the child in order to best meet their needs. Relationships and attachments can often be preserved after reunification. Shared Parenting has been shown to increase reunification rates, reduce re-entry into foster care, and improve retention of foster families.

While the Department does encourage Shared Parenting, we understand that getting started can be challenging. It is daunting to reach out blindly, not knowing if the other party is willing to engage. To assist with this, DCS has partnered with Fostering Families AZ, a local non-profit organization, to facilitate Icebreaker Meetings.

An Icebreaker Meeting is a meetup between the parents and caregiver that creates an opportunity to build a bridge between the families and establishes the foundation of Shared Parenting. It allows the parents, caregiver, and facilitator to discuss and work out what is expected of one another in the early stages of the relationship. It gives the caregiver an opportunity to learn about the child's background and discuss the child's care, their routines, likes and dislikes, what gives them comfort, etc. It allows the parents the opportunity to meet the family who is caring for their child in their absence. They can learn about the caregiver's family, their background caring for children, and their plan for caring for their child.

As a result of the Icebreaker Meeting, the child will feel the support and concern from both families working together. The parents are able to remain involved and contribute to the care of their child while outside the home. They can also gain a sense of support in having a connection with the child's caregiver. The caregiver will receive valuable information which will assist them in providing the consistency and care necessary to reduce trauma to the child, as well as create the beginning of a relationship with the parents.

The Icebreaker Meeting is optional for both the parents and caregivers. The information about the program will be provided to the parents, and if they choose to move forward with the Icebreaker Meeting, the caregiver will be contacted by Fostering Families AZ. If the DCS Specialist believes that there are any safety concerns, the Icebreaker Meeting can be held virtually or telephonically, however in-person is preferred when appropriate. You may let the assigned Specialist know that you are open to an Icebreaker, but it is up to the parent to make the request.

Shared Parenting is part of the Family Foster Home Agreement and Arizona Administrative Code.

FFHA:

2. The Foster Parent(s) agree to:

• 2.1. Abide by state and federal laws, the laws and rules as set forth in Foster Parent Licensing Rules, Arizona Administrative Code, Title 21, and Chapter 6 and 8.
• 2.7. Encourage, support and cooperate with the child’s relationship with their family and important persons in their life, including visitation arrangements, as approved by the child’s DCS Specialist or as ordered by the Court.
• 2.8. Participate as a member of the child’s service team by working cooperatively with DCS and other service providers in planning for the child’s welfare and meeting the child’s needs.

AAC:

R21-6-305. Nurturing Responsibilities - A foster parent shall nurture a foster child by:

• 9. Providing opportunities for the child to contact family members by means of face-to-face contact, mail, telephone, or other modes of communication, unless otherwise directed by the Child Placing Agency.

R21-6-206. Licensing Agency Foster Home Study and Assessment - C. The home study shall include a summary of self-assessments, interviews, and observations evaluating the applicant’s fitness for licensure, including:

• 15. Willingness to share parenting for a foster child with that child’s birth family

For questions or resources regarding Shared Parenting, contact Rhiannon Schaudt-Hobkirk.

SSN Requests

Tax season is coming up quicker than any of us want it to, so start preparing now! Ask the assigned 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 or warmline@azdcs.gov.

OLR Reminders

Please seek guidance from your licensing agency to inquiry if your home needs to come into compliance via initial training and/or obtaining current doses of Naloxone according to policy.

The current standing order is available to provide to your pharmacy.

Foster Arizona Free Family Day at Phoenix Children's Museum

FREE Family Day at Phoenix Children’s Museum!

Join Foster Arizona on Saturday, September 6, 2025, for a FREE Family Fun Day at the Children's Museum of Phoenix! This is an all-ages event, with a focus on children 0-12. We hope that you’ll come and enjoy a morning of imagination, creativity, and endless FUN!

For details, and to register for this event, click HERE.

Foster Arizona Survey

Your Feedback is Appreciated!

Foster Arizona is planning their events and programs for 2026, and they welcome your input. They are surveying foster parents with questions about Foster Arizona events and resources, as well as general questions about family resources.

Each person who completes this survey will be entered into a drawing for 2 free tickets to the Arizona Science Center!

Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/VHLonWJMND4qZhPv9

If you’d like to contact Foster Arizona directly, please email Anna Dendy: anna.dendy@fosterarizona.org.

Post-Permanency Supports Orientation

Sacred Threads

TBRI Intensive Training - Prescott

Foster and Adoptive Council of Tucson Resource Fair

Ser Kallai Shine Festival

Community Baby Shower

Trauma-Informed Care Training

Keys to Success

High-Five

ENGAGEMENT: "Jewelia was so compassionate and engaging with my foster family yesterday for their initial placement home visit with Jewelia. I was blown away by how engaging, knowledgeable, patient, and thorough she was with all her paperwork, explaining every document she handed the family and ensuring all their questions were answered. I appreciated how she interacted with a newly licensed family :)"

ADVOCACY: "Kristen has been on top of things since day one. Always a available to answer a question and help point us in the right direction. Her dedication to the children and family she serves is unmatched. She is both smart and unrelenting when it comes to getting the best opportunities and life for the children and families she serves."

TEAMING: "StepStone South/Pima are phenomenal with communication and do not hesitate to seek clarification or guidance when needed. Whenever I have reached out to StepStone for the opening of a potential concern or final review of a concern, it is clear StepStone works very well with their families addressing any concerns that arise before and after a concern has been opened. Additionally, StepStone and OLR are currently overseeing a CAP to which they continue diligent efforts to support the family through with transparency, problem solving, and seeking clarification which I would like to acknowledge and appreciate all of their efforts. Go StepStone!"

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.

Prescott-Area Foster Families: FREE Monthly Events

Sponsored by The League of Extraordinary Grandparents, volunteer grandparents will guide children in making crafts, painting, storytelling, games and more!

• WHO CAN ATTEND: Children in foster care, ages 4 – 10. Bio siblings may also attend, as long as they are between ages 4 – 10. All children must be registered in advance.
• WHEN: Every 3rd Saturday of the month in 2025 – September 20, October 18, November 15, December 20.
• LOCATION: Prescott Valley (details will be provided upon registration)
• TIME: 9 AM – 12 PM
• SNACKS: Snacks and drinks are provided.

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.

William