In addition to offering support groups, we are also in need of facilitators statewide. Training is available to qualified individuals. To learn more details about the support groups or becoming a group facilitator, email us at info@azafap.org.

Happy Hour

Have a virtual chat with other foster, adoptive and kinship parents every Friday night from 9pm – 10pm. For parents only, and not recommended for children to view. Please email kristi@azafap.org for more information.

Karin Peak – I 17 & 101

Karin facilitates the support group on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 7 pm – 8 pm.  You must RSVP to Karen if you plan to attend the classes.  For more information or to RSVP to attend, please email her at peak273@yahoo.com.

Below are resources that we’ve collected for our families. We welcome suggestions to add other groups. Email us at info@azafap.org

Adoptive Families Coalition

Adoptive/Foster/Kinship Parent Support Group.  2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, 21436 N. 20th Avenue, #201, Phoenix AZ.  (park by the mail boxes)  Bring a notebook or journal.  You must contact Carol Barger at carolbarger@adoptive.org if you are planning to attend.  

ASA Now

Support group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7830 E. University Drive, Mesa, AZ  85207 at 7:30 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. 

Behavioral Health Services for DCS Involved Children January 14, 2016 The Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS) through the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) provides an urgent response to all children and adolescents who are removed from their home by the Department of Child Safety (DCS). DBHS requires that children and youth removed by DCS:

• Be seen and have a completed assessment within 72 hours of removal.
• Receive a behavioral health urgent response, a comprehensive assessment
• and remain open for behavioral health services for a minimum of 6 months.

Each RBHA has a DCS Liaison to assist DCS staff and foster families with accessing necessary behavioral health services. The RBHAs have a single point of contact to assist foster parents with ensuring that children removed by DCS receive appropriate and timely behavioral health services to meet their needs. The RBHA DCS email single point of contact can be used by DCS staff, foster parents, and congregate care providers to send questions and/or request any assistance in navigating or obtaining behavioral health services.

FOSTER FAMILIES HAVE A VOICE. DO NOT WAIT. CALL YOUR DESIGNATED RBHA DCS CONTACT:

Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care (MMIC) Maricopa County

DCS@mercymaricopa.org

Randy Grover, LCSW Child Welfare Manager (480) 751-8471

RBHA Member Services 1 (800) 564-5465

Health Choice Integrated Care (HCIC) Apache, Coconino, Mohave, Navajo & Yavapai Counties

DCS@iasishealthcare.com

Victoria Tewa Director of Children’s Services (928) 214-1194

RBHA Member Services 1 (800) 640-2123

Cenpatico Integrated Care (C-IC) Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal & Yuma Counties

DCS@cenpatico.com

Nichol Houser MSW, M.Ed. CMDP Liaison 1 (866) 495-6738 x26193

RBHA Customer Service 1 (866) 495-6738

If you are unable to satisfactorily resolve your concern through the single point of contact at the RBHA or their member services line, please contact the DBHS Customer Service line for support at 602-364-4558 or 1-800-867-5808. This allows the state to not only address individual concerns but also identify and resolve barriers to accessing quality services that could impact others. Anyone can call Customer Service whenever you are experiencing difficulty with accessing needed behavioral health services in a timely manner or have concerns related to the quality of services received. We are here to support foster families!

211 from your phone or 877-211-8661

https://211arizona.org/

Create a fun and informative sheet for the kids entering into your family. Download this free word template courtesy of AZAFAP. DOWNLOAD HERE.

Ample Harvest

https://ampleharvest.org/find-pantry/

AZ Food Banks

http://www.azfoodbanks.org/

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. 4^th Street

Phoenix, AZ  85020

https://www.desertmission.com/programs/food-bank/

The Cultural Cup Food Bank

342 E. Thomas Road

Phoenix, AZ  85012

http://www.culturalcup.com/

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.

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 BH Unit

Click to view PDF list ➜  DCS BH Unit Contacts

DCS Obudsman

DCS Ombudsman/ Marcy Morales  602-542-2203

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

Caregiver Training