How to Become Foster Parents in AZ

Making the decision to become a licensed Arizona foster parent is a rewarding one. You will be happy with your choice as your family is built. There are several requirements and processes that you must complete before you can be certified and licensed as a foster parent in Arizona.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact your local Arizona foster care agency or the Arizona Department of Economic Security, otherwise referred to as ADES. Ask them to send you an informational kit in the mail. This will provide a brief overview of the process of enrollment into the foster care program.

    • 2

      Get together with the ADES and set up an appointment for an orientation meeting. Here you will learn what to expect as far as a foster parent and all of the requirements of becoming a foster parent. This includes, but is not limited to, age requirements for each applicant, proof of economic stability and a background check. No decisions will have to be made at the orientation meeting,

    • 3

      Complete the application forms. This will include a formal application, financial information sheet, health statements for each applicant, criminal background check, finger printing authorizations, protective service record checks and a list of references.

    • 4

      Enroll yourself and any other adult applicants in the home into a pre-licensing training course. This is a requirement of the foster care program. Classes will generally run about 10 weeks and each session is approximately three hours long. You must also enroll in a first aid and CPR class, as this is a requirement of the foster care program as well. First aid and CPR classes can be taken at your local community college or recreation center.

    • 5

      Prepare your home for the in-home assessment and evaluation. This is where an agent will come out and check the conditions of your home and make sure it is safe to house foster children. Personal interviews will be conducted at this time with all household members.

    • 6

      Wait on a decision from the ADES or the court to present you the final licensing and/or certification decision. Usually if everything else has gone well up until this point, you will be contacted in a few days to a few weeks regarding placement of a child.

    • 7

      Prepare for child placement. This process differs from agency to agency. The agency will now work closer with you to find a right match to place a child in your home. At this time, you may request a pre-placement visit. This will give you time to decide if there is a good match there.

    • 8

      Remember fostering children is a process that at times can be mentally and emotionally challenging, but the rewards are grand. Take your time and be persistent in completing all your requirements in a timely manner.

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