May 2026 Issue 98

National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month. The Arizona Department of Child Safety is grateful to the entire foster care community for your dedication to and support of children and families. As we all know, foster care is a vital and rewarding experience that provides children with stable, loving homes and families when they need it most. However, the need for foster families is constantly growing, and many communities struggle to find enough homes to meet the demand. Current and former foster families are in a unique position to help recruit others to foster. Here are some ideas for how you can do so:

• Share your story. You can share your experiences and the joys and challenges of foster care with others. You can speak at local events, share your story on social media, or participate in panels to educate the community about the need for foster families.
• Host information sessions. You can host information sessions or gatherings for others who are interested in fostering. You can invite representatives from your licensing agency to speak about the process and answer questions.
• Connect with faith-based organizations. Many faith-based organizations are interested in supporting foster care initiatives. You can connect with your local churches, synagogues, or mosques to spread the word about the need for foster families and encourage members to get involved. Even if members are not able to foster, there are still so many ways they can support foster care!
• Partner with schools and community organizations. Schools and community organizations are often looking for ways to give back to their communities. You can partner with these organizations to organize events and activities that raise awareness of foster care and recruit potential foster families.
• Be a mentor. Current caregivers can serve as mentors to other families who are considering fostering. You can share your knowledge and experience, offer support, and help guide them through the process. Speak with your licensing worker about getting paired with a family!
• Participate in recruitment campaigns. Licensing agencies and DCS constantly run recruitment campaigns to encourage more families to get involved, and we are always looking for families to share their story. If you have a story you think would benefit recruitment efforts, please reach out to see how you can become involved!
• Host a foster care day. You can organize a foster care day in your community, where you can invite potential foster families to meet with current foster families, hear their stories, and learn more about the process.

If you are in need of materials, such as informational brochures or cards with the link to the DCS orientation, please reach out, and the DCS Caregiver Supports team would be happy to get you whatever you need!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a special occasion that celebrates the love and dedication of mothers everywhere. For birth mothers of children in foster care, however, this day can be bittersweet. While they may still love and miss their children, the circumstances of their separation can make it difficult to fully participate in the holiday. That's why it's so important to include birth mothers in Mother's Day activities and celebrations, both for their own sake and for the well-being of their children. First and foremost, including birth mothers in Mother's Day activities and celebrations can help to maintain the bond between mother and child. This bond is crucial for the child's sense of identity and can help to mitigate the trauma of being separated from their birth family. By involving the birth mother in the celebration, we are acknowledging the important role she plays in the child's life and showing that her love and care are still valued. Secondly, it can help to normalize the experience of foster care. As with any other holiday or special occasion, it's important to make sure that all members of the family feel included and valued. By including birth mothers in the celebration, we are sending the message that they are still a part of the family, even if they are not physically present. Thirdly, inviting birth mothers to participate can help to build trust and positive relationships between birth parents and foster parents. This can be especially important if the child is eventually reunified with their birth family, as it can help to smooth the transition and make it easier for everyone involved. There are many ways to include birth mothers in Mother's Day activities and celebrations. For example, they could be invited to attend a special brunch or other gathering or to participate in a virtual celebration if they are unable to be there in person. Foster parents could also make a special effort to include birth mothers in the day by having the child handmake a gift for her or by ensuring that any gifts made in school are given to her. Of course, there may be situations where including birth mothers in Mother's Day activities and celebrations is not possible or appropriate. For example, if there are safety concerns or if the birth mother is not interested in participating. In these cases, it's important to be respectful and sensitive to the mother's wishes, while still doing everything possible to maintain the connection between her and her child. Including birth mothers in Mother's Day activities and celebrations is an important part of supporting children in foster care and maintaining positive relationships between birth parents and foster parents. By doing so, we can help to normalize the experience of foster care, build trust and positive relationships, and support the emotional well-being of everyone involved. Let's make sure that all mothers, birth and foster, feel loved and valued on this special day.

Supplemental School Tuition

Did you know that every school-age child in the care of DCS has up to two allowances of $165 per year to help pay for summer school or other tuition fees? Simply request it via the DCS Specialist, and they will submit a service request as they would for any other special allowance.

OLR Reminders

A quick but important reminder for Safe Sleep: no items should be in a baby's crib. That means no stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, or other toys in or on the crib at any point - even if they seem soft or comforting. These items can increase the risk of suffocation or unsafe sleep conditions. This is for children under one year old or if there is not a current placement but the home is licensed for under one year.   These parameters are to be followed for every crib in the foster home regardless of current use. If a crib is set up, it is to be Safe Sleep compliant at all times. Cribs are not to be used as storage, and OLR recommends if the space is needed for storage, have the crib taken down while not in use.   Bassinettes and play pens are only for when the baby is awake. As soon as they fall asleep, they are to be moved to a crib.   ABCs of Safe Sleep are: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib.

Reasonable & Prudent Parenting Standard: Travel

It's that time of year again where we want to get out of the heat for a while, visit family in another state, or even take a cruise. So how does that work when you have a kiddo in your care? Check out the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard regarding travel below!

Here are a couple of additional things to keep in mind:

• Bio parent permission is NOT needed for any sort of travel. It is best practice and common courtesy to let them know about travel plans. If they wish to do so, they can file a motion with the court to object to it, but it is not in DCS policy or Arizona law that their permission is needed.
• Bear in mind that you do NOT need DCS Specialist permission for in-state or out-of-state travel of less than 7 days. You simply need to inform them of the plan and how you can be contacted. 24-48 hours should be sufficient notice.
• The DCS Specialist can deny out-of-state travel of more than 7 days, however the only major considerations should be if the child has medical needs (i.e. they need regular medical treatments that they would not be able to get while out of state) or if there is court-ordered visitation (not the standard visitation that DCS is required to provide, as those visits can be made up. In this case, court-ordered means that DCS has been specifically ordered by the court to ensure that the child is at the visitation.). There may be other issues at play, but they should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• If you wish to travel out of the country with the child, you will need permission of the court and a passport for the child. (Note: this includes Mexico and cruises, even if the child will not be leaving the ship in the other country.) First, notify the DCS Specialist as soon as you know the dates and destination. They will file a Motion for Out-of-Country Travel, which is what will grant you permission to take the child. They will also file a Motion to Apply for a Passport. It must have the caregiver's name listed as the person who will be granted permission to apply for the passport, otherwise it defaults to DCS. In addition to this court order, you will need a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which the DCS Specialist can request, if it is not already in the file. You will need to take original, certified copies of both the orders and the birth certificate to the passport office. The child must have either a passport or passport card, depending on your method of travel. This is a US Department of State requirement. Please visit their website for additional information regarding passport and international travel requirements. Be sure to save your receipt and request passport reimbursement through the DCS Specialist.
• For out-of-country travel: You will also need to purchase travel insurance for the child, as their Mercy Care DCS CHP coverage is not valid outside of the United States.

If you experience challenges with the RPPS Guidelines, attempt to elevate the issue through the DCS Program Supervisor then the DCS Program Manager. If you still need assistance facilitating communication, reach out to Rhiannon Schaudt-Hobkirk.

Fostering Love Resource and Appreciation Fair

Kinship Connection: Strengthening Family Ties Conference

National Foster Care Month Ribbon-Tying Event

ASA Now May Events

Seeds Community Center Mother's Day Celebration - Tucson

Children's Museum of Tucson Cookies and Lemonade Hangout

Spreading Threads Back 2 Summer Event - Tucson

DCS Annual Youth Conference - Flagstaff

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!

Spreading Threads Christmas in June - Tucson

Seeds Community Center Summer Kinship Dinners - Tucson

Foster and Adoptive Council of Tucson Orientations

Grief, Loss, and Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Conversation Series

Thursday, June 25th, 2026 9:00am – 11:30am Link to register: Grief & Loss Session 2 Thursday, August 27th, 2026 9:00am – 11:30am Link to Register: Grief & Loss Session 3 Thursday, October 15th, 2026 9:00am – 11:30am Link to Register: Grief & Loss Session 4 Tuesday, December 1st, 2026 9:00am – 11:30am Link to Register: Grief & Loss Session 5

Spreading Threads Back 2 School - Tucson

Teen Reach Adventure Camps

Post-Permanency Supports Orientation

League of Extraordinary Grandparents

High-Five

Paulette with Grace Retreat Foster Care Adoption Services submitted a recognition that honors Anna.  Her work in Family made a difference. Here are the kind words shared about Anna: FAMILY: For nearly four years, I’ve had the privilege of watching this amazing family walk through their foster care journey with such heart and dedication. With every placement, they consistently provide love, stability, and unwavering dependability to the children in their home. They go above and beyond—not only caring deeply for the children but also working respectfully and collaboratively with biological parents. Their commitment to partnership and reunification truly reflects the heart of foster care. It has been an honor to witness the difference they make in the lives of so many children. Thank you for all that you do!   Julie with Grace Retreat Foster Care Adoption Services submitted a recognition that honors Jackie and Phil. Their work in advocacy made a difference. Here are Julie’s kind words about Jackie and Phil:

ADVOCACY: Jackie & Phil are always willing to do last minute respite requests to help their fellow foster friends. This agency is very appreciative of their help! They also participate in group activities and help other foster families who may be struggling.

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.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

The Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents (AZAFAP) is proud to support Arizona’s foster, adoptive, and kinship families through resources, advocacy, and community connection. AZAFAP offers valuable programs like Jose’s Closet, Recycle Your Bicycle, and family events designed to support both caregivers and the children in their care. AZAFAP offers a free Basic membership, making it easy for families to get connected to essential resources, support, and information. Upgraded membership options are also available, providing additional benefits such as training opportunities, discounts, and expanded support networks to help families navigate the child welfare system with confidence. Whether you’re new to fostering or have years of experience, AZAFAP is here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Learn more and become a member at www.azafap.org.

Kinship Support Services

The Department of Child Safety believes that kinship care is the most preferred and healthy setting for children who cannot remain safely in their home of origin.  When children are with kinship caregivers, there is reduced trauma and children are able to thrive.  In these circumstances, kinship care is achieved through ongoing support by enhancing the knowledge and skills of families, prior, during and post a child being in out-of-home care.  The goal of providing this service is to further increase the number of children in kinship homes, improve the supports required to stabilize living arrangements and assist families in navigating the child welfare system.  The Department is a “kin-first” organization and kinship caregivers should be “ruled-in,” not out.  Kinship caregivers should be supported and aided in removing barriers to having kin in their homes.  The Department should continually revisit kinship caregivers who may have been previously ruled out as potential caregivers to examine if prior obstacles have been or could be resolved.   If applicable, support shall include but not limited to:

• Home Assessments
• Kinship Navigation (Monitoring of the home environment, Initial and ongoing training, retention efforts, and ongoing family support, before and after placement)
• Initial and Renewal Licensing
• Initial Adoption Certification and Extensions
• Courtesy Supervision
• Guardian Annual Review Reports

Kinship navigation is provided concurrently with Home Assessments and/or licensing process and continues until case closure. Kinship caregivers are encouraged to become licensed to increase supports and stability of children residing in kinship homes.  Kinship Waivers and requirement reductions can create an expedited path for Kinship Caregiver licensing. Who is eligible for KSS? All Kinship caregivers, if you need more information on how to obtain a KSS, please reach out to kinship@AZDCS.gov.

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.

Lucie and Annmarie