Resources
Whether you’re just starting your journey or have years of experience, our Resource Center is here to support you. Find helpful tools, guides, and information tailored for foster, kinship, and adoptive families—everything from clothing closets and food pantries to mental health providers, education support, and legal guidance, we’ve gathered local services that help meet everyday needs.
Explore the resources you need to strengthen your family and stay connected every step of the way.
Foster Care
Our Foster Care Resources page is your go-to place for helpful information, guides, and tools for every stage of the foster care journey.
What Is Foster Care?
Foster care provides a safe, temporary home for children who are unable to remain with their families due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. The goal is to provide stability, support, and care while families work toward reunification or another permanent plan. Whether you’re interested in becoming a foster parent or simply want to learn more, explore the resources below to better understand foster care and how you can make a difference.
Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?
Every child deserves a safe, caring home. If you’re ready to learn more about becoming a foster parent, the Arizona Department of Child Safety provides information on the licensing process, orientation, and how to get started.
In the Licensing Process?
Becoming a foster parent is an exciting and important journey, but the licensing process can also bring questions and challenges along the way. Whether you need guidance, helpful resources, or support as you complete the next steps, we’re here to help you feel prepared and confident as you move closer to opening your home to a child in care.
Already on Your Foster Care Journey?
Being a foster parent comes with both rewards and challenges, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re newly licensed or have years of experience, the resources below are designed to provide guidance, practical tools, and ongoing support to help you care for the children in your home.
Kinship
Our Kinship Care Resources page provides helpful information, guides, and tools for grandparents, relatives, and family friends caring for children.
What Is Kinship Care?
Kinship care occurs when a child is cared for by someone who has a meaningful connection to them, such as a grandparent, relative, sibling, or close family friend. When children cannot remain safely with their parents, kinship caregivers help provide love, stability, and a familiar support system during a time of change. These caregivers play a vital role in helping children maintain important family relationships and connections while navigating their new circumstances.
New to Kinship Care?
Stepping into the role of a kinship caregiver can happen unexpectedly and may bring many questions and emotions. Whether you are caring for a grandchild, relative, or a child connected to your family, resources and support are available to help you navigate this new journey and understand your role as a caregiver.
Need Support as a Kinship Caregiver?
You don’t have to navigate kinship care alone. Whether you need help understanding available resources, accessing support services, or finding guidance for your unique situation, there are organizations and tools available to help you and the child in your care thrive.
Adoption
Our Adoption Resources page offers helpful information, guides, and tools for families considering or navigating adoption.
What Is Adoption?
Adoption is a lifelong commitment that creates a permanent family relationship between a child and their adoptive parent(s). For children who are unable to safely return to their birth family, adoption provides the opportunity for a stable, loving, and supportive home. Adoption can look different for every family, but the goal remains the same: providing children with the permanency, connection, and care they need to thrive.
Behavioral Health Services
Link to Behavioral Health DCS Information
Behavioral Health Services (azahcccs.gov)
Addiction
Foster Parents can get answers to many questions in the Go To Guide
Read the latest or archived Thrive Newsletters
Learn more about the Conflict Resolution Process: Quality Assurance Policy
Helpful Numbers
Developmental Disabilities
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona
DES Statewide Community Resources
Disability Rights
DCS Education Policy
Arizona Center for Youth Resources (ACYR)
Arizona Department of Education, Special Education
Advocacy31Nine
FosterEd
Wrightslaw for parents
Licensing Agencies
AZ Kids Consortium has compiled a list of foster & adoptive family licensing agencies. Click here to learn more.
Child Abuse Hotline
1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445)
Warm Line
Unable to reach your Case Manager in a timely fashion and need an answer now?
The Foster Parent Warm Line is a toll-free number for resource parents who are experiencing crisis situations and cannot reach their Child Protective Services’ (CPS) case manager in a timely manner. By calling 1-877-KIDSNEEDU (1-877-543-7633) and selecting Option 3, resource parents will be connected to a Warm Line designee. The line is staffed from 8:15a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Messages may be left at any time of the day or night. Staff’s goal is to respond to those messages within the next business day so resource parents feel supported in getting their needs met in serving our children.
The intent of the Warm Line is to provide resource parents with information, assistance with authorizations for services, timely communication, and support. It is not intended to discourage or replace direct and regular communication between the CPS case manager and the resource parent.
DCS Ombudsman
Contact the DCS Office of the Ombudsman via phone at 877-527-0765 or 602-364-0777 or email Ombudsman@azdcs.gov. Please Note the DCS Office of the Ombudsman: Does not provide legal advice and will not reveal confidential case information.
DCS Family Advocate
DCS Family Advocacy: 1-877-527-0765 or 602-364-0777
DCS Office Numbers
Online listing click here to view
Raising Special Kids
https://raisingspecialkids.org/ and at 1-800-237-3007
AZAFAP Chats
Coffee Chat: Drop in for a virtual chat with other foster, adoptive and kinship parents on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1pm – 2pm. For foster, kinship and adoptive parents only and not recommended for children to view due to some possible triggers or subject matter. Link is sent to members in email every Tuesday.
Happy Hour Chat: Drop in for a virtual chat with other foster, adoptive and kinship parents on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month from 9pm – 10pm. For foster, kinship and adoptive parents only and not recommended for children to view due to some possible triggers or subject matter. Link is sent to members in email every Friday.
Support Groups
Books
Born for Love
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
The Connected Child
The Body Keeps the Score
Emotional Intelligence
videos
Perry: Video 1
Perry: Video 2
Purvis
Van der Kolk
Golman
Addiction
Merzenich
Adolescent Risk Taking
Support
Reddit forum: r/Adoption, where adoptees share their thoughts on their search.
Ancestry.com DNA test that helps with genetic information and even searches.
Facebook: Birth parents and adopted children looking for their families. (31,000 members strong, full of tips for searchers.)
Trauma Informed Educators Network on Facebook
From the NEA: Trauma-Informed Practices
For Birthmothers: Bellis: “Compassionate support for women whose children are parented by others – no matter how that came to be.” mybellis.org
News & Events
Check out the AZAFAP Event Calendar
