March 2026 Issue 96

Self-Injury Awareness Month

Foster care is a system designed to provide temporary or long-term care for children who are unable to live with their biological families due to various reasons. This system aims to provide children with a safe and stable environment where they can grow and thrive. However, children in foster care often face numerous challenges, including the risk of self-injury. Self-injury, also known as self-harm, is a behavior that involves deliberately harming one's body without the intention of suicide. It is often used as a coping mechanism for emotional pain, stress, or trauma. Self-injury can take many forms, including cutting, burning, scratching, hitting, or biting oneself. Studies have shown that children in foster care are at a higher risk of self-injury compared to their peers. The reasons for this are complex and multifaceted. Many children in foster care have experienced neglect, abuse, or trauma before entering the system. The loss of their biological family, coupled with the instability of moving from one placement to another, can exacerbate these feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Children in foster care may also face unique challenges that can contribute to self-injury. They may feel stigmatized or ashamed of being in foster care, which can lead to feelings of low self-worth and self-blame. They may also feel like they have no control over their lives, which can lead to a sense of powerlessness and despair. It is essential for caregivers and professionals in the foster care system to be aware of the signs of self-injury and to provide appropriate support and interventions. Some signs of self-injury may include unexplained cuts, bruises, or burns on the body, wearing long sleeves or pants to cover up injuries, or frequent isolation and avoidance of social situations. If a child in foster care is engaging in self-injury, it is important to approach the situation with compassion and understanding. Caregivers and professionals should create a safe and supportive environment where the child feels comfortable expressing their feelings and receiving help. They should also work with the child to develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as talking to a trusted adult, engaging in physical activity, or practicing relaxation techniques. In addition, caregivers and professionals should work to address the underlying causes of self-injury. This may involve therapy, medication, or other forms of treatment to help the child cope with past trauma and build resilience for the future. Overall, self-injury is a serious concern for children in foster care, but with the right support and interventions, it is possible to reduce the risk and promote healing. By raising awareness of this issue and providing appropriate care and resources, we can help children in foster care lead happier, healthier lives. 

Provider Indemnity Program

Did you know that the State of Arizona provides liability coverage for foster caregivers while caring for a child in DCS care? The Provider Indemnity Program, better known as PIP, provides insurance to cover losses caused by an occurrence or wrongful act resulting from the actions of an individual provider or a covered client. The claim does NOT go through DCS or your licensing agency, nor do you need permission to file a claim; it should be submitted directly to the Office of the Attorney General.

TBRI 101 Training

DCS Annual Youth Conference

This is an exciting opportunity for our youth who are ages 16-20, in out-of-home care, and who are demonstrating the readiness to participate in an experience away from their caregivers, with 70-80 of their peers, for three days.  The conference will be at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, from May 27th-29th. We look forward to meeting your amazing youth and creating fun memories with them!! 

Foster and Adoptive Council of Tucson Orientations

Head Start Programs

Arizona Miss Amazing Pageant

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

Mayfly Project

High-Five

Ekaterina S. submitted a COMPASSION recognition for Michelle:                                              “Michelle (Mimi) is very caring, compassionate, and helpful. She has been able to connect with all of our foster children, even though she is a CASA for only one of them. We are very grateful for Mimi and her continuous and genuine love and support.” Charlie, submitted a FAMILY recognition for Barrie and Deezee:                     “When I first started in this position several years ago, I was immediately impressed to meet this amazing family who were licensed to foster up to 5 children. Not long after working with them, they adopted their first child in Dec. of 2019 - an 8-yo boy. A few years later, his little brother came into care, and this family adopted him a few months just prior to his 2nd birthday in 2022. Fast forward to today - I witnessed this family adopt the little sister to these two boys - who turned 1 year old just a few months ago. These 3 children's lives will be forever changed because of the commitment this family made to care for children so many years ago. And they are STILL AT IT! With a possible 4th in the works! Their cup runneth over!” Kristin submitted a COMPASSION recognition that honors Alyson and Zebulon:       "Alyson and Zebulon have been open and willing to take in a new placement. They have now had two different babies in their care in the last month. They were willing to drive to the hospitals to pick up the children, and Alyson has been willing to transport to visits. The first baby transitioned to a kinship home in which (Alyson and Zebulon) went above and beyond to help facilitate the transition. They show empathy towards the bio family and do a phenomenal job at being parents!”

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.

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.

Gilbert