Expert answers to your foster care questions!
This week, we conclude our FAQs About Foster Care series with more answers to caregivers most frequently asked questions about foster care! Read part 2 of our series for answers to your questions about foster care reimbursement rates, how families are matched to a foster child, getting licensed as a kinship caregiver and more!
Children are placed in your home based upon your family’s preferences. You will closely with your agency specialist to determine the characteristics (age, gender, race, behavioral and developmental factors) of a child who will be a good match for you.
Foster parents are not paid, however, they receive reimbursement for room and board, clothing, and other items for a foster child in their home. Reimbursement rates for foster care are determined by the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and vary from child to child depending on a number of factors, such as the child’s age and if the child has medical, behavioral or developmental needs beyond the needs of typical children.
You can find a breakdown of the family foster home reimbursement rates on the DCS website: https://dcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/CSO-1109A-updated.pdf
Child Crisis Arizona does not require that a stay-at-home parent in order to take in a foster placement. However, children under the age of three should not be in childcare more than 32 hours per week due to attachment needs and brain development that occurs in a young child’s formative years.
The goal of foster care is the reunification of a child with their birth family, and approximately 50% of foster children are reunified with their birth parents. However, if reunification is not possible and there are no suitable relatives of the child, foster parents may be asked if they would like to adopt the foster child in their care. Adoption of children by a foster family is a simple process for the foster family.
As a licensed kinship caregiver, you are will receive a significantly larger amount of money each month to cover the costs of caring for the child. You will have assistance with navigating the DCS, behavioral health, and educational systems. Your specialist will assist you with seeking out and obtaining services for the child and will provide support and advocacy for you on this journey.
Have more questions about foster care? Check out Part 1 of our FAQs About Foster Care series or consider attending one of our upcoming foster care orientations! You can also fill out our foster care inquiry form to get in touch with one of our foster care specialists directly!
Marcia Reck is the Director of Emergency Children’s Services (which includes the Emergency Children’s Shelter, Foster Care & Adoption programs) at Child Crisis Arizona. She started with the agency 15 years ago and has been the Program Director for the last 13 years. During her tenure, Child Crisis Arizona's foster care program has tripled in size! Marcia's favorite thing about her job is being able to provide training and support to foster and adoptive families as they make a difference in the lives of the children in their homes.
