Local Resources for Arizona Families
Foster, adoptive and kinship families will also find a wealth of resources at azfamilyresources.com. If you learn about a new resource that’s not listed on this site, please contact our office and we’ll reach out and get it added.
Resources
Becoming a Foster Parent
Are you interested in becoming a foster parent? Good for you. In the words of one member, “it’s the hardest job you’ll ever love.” Fostering and Adoption in AZ To talk to a an experienced foster or adoptive family, contact AZAFAP at 602-884-1801.
DCS Resources (Dept of Child Safety)
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
To talk to an experienced foster or adoptive parent, contact AZAFAP at 602-884-1801.
AZAFAP Support Chats
AZAFAP Chats, online weekly
Together, parents share and learn from one another about helpful resources and ways to strengthen themselves and their families.
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.
Connecting with Other Families
Other Support Groups
Below are resources that we’ve collected for our families. We welcome suggestions to add other groups. Email us at info@azafap.org
Heroic Parenting Group
Adoptive/Foster/Kinship Parent Support Group. Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, at 21436 N. 20th Avenue, #201, Phoenix AZ. (park by the mail boxes) Bring a notebook or journal. You must contact karin@northvalleytherapy.org if you are planning to attend.
ASA Now
Support group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7830 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85207. A one hour workshop is from 7-8 pm, followed by the support group from from 8-9 pm. Check the ASA website for more information.
Central Christian Church
Central Christian Church Gilbert meets the second Thursday of the month at 965 E. Germann Rd, Gilbert from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Health Services
Behavioral Health Services
Disabilities
Addiction
Link to Arizona specific information
Medicaid treatment facilities in AZ
Facilities indicated in Arizona on addicted.org contract to be represented on the site
Community Information and Referrals
211 from your phone or 877-211-8661
Opportunities for Youth
Education
DCS Education Policy
Education Guide for Youth Currently and Formerly in Foster Care by AFFCF
AFFCF Scholarship Program
Opportunities for Youth, Youth Reengagement Center Resource Guide
Arizona Department of Education Parent Page
Arizona Department of Education, Special Education
Advocacy31Nine
Advocacy31nine advocates for the educational success of children impacted by foster care, kinship, and adoption throughout the state of Arizona. They provide no cost one on one special education advocacy to help families navigate the complex world of special education for children that have experienced trauma. Their team walks alongside parents who may have a child struggling academically, socially, emotionally, or behaviorally at school and assists them with getting the right support in place through an IEP or 504 plan. To get help, fill out their online intake form HERE and one of their advocates will assist in navigating the special education process. They also have a host of free resources related to foster care and special education on their website HERE, including a free online class for foster parents about how to navigate the special education system. (Coming in August 2023!)
FosterEd
Wrightslaw for parents
Life Story Book Resources
Every child has a unique story. Research reflects the importance of every child knowing and owning their story. Life story work is an approach that helps children from foster care and who are adopted to talk and learn about their life experiences with the help of a trusted adult.
Life Story Books resemble scrapbooks. These books impact the lives of children and protect memories that otherwise might be lost. Life Story Books are meant to be built upon as they grow and possibly move to other placements in some situations.
Check out this resource to receive free Life Story Book supplies to make right at home. “A Family For Every Child” offers free supplies to foster and adoptive families (they ask for a donation to pay postage when possible). Check out their and order supplies specifically for your child(ren). https://www.afamilyforeverychild.org/lifebooks/
Request form: https://map.afamilyforeverychild.org/Activities/Oregon/Lifebooks/LifeBookRequest.php
Fun ideas to include in the book:
- Kids can find out what the weather was like on their birthday. Find the weather for any state or country. If you want weather for a historical date, i.e. your child’s birthday, go to the country/city you want and enter that date. Check it out: https://www.wunderground.com/
- This resource was created by an adoptee & adoptive mother. Tons of free resources, articles, monthly newsletter, success stories, Q & A section. Check it out: https://www.adoptionlifebooks.com/index.htm
- What was going on in the world the day your child was born? This is a fun activity to find out details of what was happening on that day! Check it out: http://dmarie.com/timecap/step1.asp
- Interested in finding a map or geographical information? Google it! Type in “city/state or state/province.” There are many sites which have downloadable maps, geography facts, etcetera. Very helpful tool for showing where children are born and where they live now. Check it out: https://www.google.com/
- Learn what day of the week your child was born. They can discover how many days until their next birthday, how many seconds old they are, plus other links. Check it out: https://www.dayofbirth.co.uk/
Family Worksheets
Create a fun and informative sheet for the kids entering into your family. Download this free word template courtesy of AZAFAP. DOWNLOAD HERE.
Food
Ample Harvest
https://ampleharvest.org/find-pantry/
AZ Food Banks
St. Mary’s Food Bank
3131 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017
https://www.firstfoodbank.org/
Market on the Move/The 3000 Club
1741 W. Rose Garden Lane, #6
Phoenix, AZ 85027
http://the3000club.org/wordpress/
Desert Mission Food Bank
9229 N. 4th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020
https://www.desertmission.com/programs/food-bank/
The Cultural Cup Food Bank
342 E. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Helpful Numbers
Don’t know where to turn? Call AZAFAP at 602-884-1801 and we’ll do our best to direct you to the person or resource you need. The following are useful phone numbers that may also be helpful:
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
State Tax Credit for Qualifying Foster Care Organization form
Download the
Older and/or Aging Out Teens
Post-Secondary Scholarship Opportunities
Trainings
Caregiver Training
Years Serving Families
Statewide Premier Families
events in 2023
recycled bikes given to children
Get In Touch
Our Location:
14202 N. 73rd Ave
Peoria, AZ 85381
Phone: 602-884-1801
Fax: 602-274-4384
Email: info@azafap.org
AZAFAP Hours: M-F: 9:00am - 3:00pm