Foster Care and Adoption

Love of Children is looking for individuals or families who want to make a positive difference in the lives of children in foster care. If you are willing to open your heart and home to foster or adopt, there is a child or sibling group waiting for you! Love of Children provides Foster and Adoption services in Maricopa and Navajo Counties. 

Questions? Contact Love of Children by emailing info@loveofchildren.org or by calling 480.549.8454. 

General Steps on How to Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent

  • Watch the orientation videos on the Department of Children Safety (DCS) website. The link is as follows: https://dcs.az.gov/foster.
  • Contact Love of Children and let us know that you are interested in fostering or adopting by emailing info@loveofchildren.org or by calling 480.549.8454.
  • Complete a Foster & Adoption Information Session and Intake with Love of Children.
  • Obtain an Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Love of Children will help with the process.
  • Complete the five-week Foster Parent College Trainings and the assigned weekly web-based trainings.
  • Work with Love of Children to complete your home study, interviews, paperwork, and home inspection.
  • Upon State approval for Foster Care Licensure or Adoption Certification, you are ready to accept your first child as a placement and start making a difference!

General Requirements for Fostering or Adopting Children in the Foster Care System in the State of Arizona

  • At least 21 years of age to Foster; 18 years of age for Adoption.
  • Married, single, divorced, widowed, or with a partner.
  • Lawfully present in the U.S. and an Arizona resident.
  • Capable of passing the required background checks.
  • Able to obtain an Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
  • Physician’s Clearance Statement verifying your physical, mental, and emotional stability to care for foster children.
  • Financially able to provide for yourself, your family, and foster children prior to receiving foster care reimbursement subsidies.
  • Confidential references required – three personal and two from family.
  • Complete Foster Parent College Training.
  • Complete Home Study, Interviews, Paperwork, and Assessments.
  • Pass a State Inspection of your residence by the Office of Licensing & Regulation (OLR). Home ownership is not required.

Love of Children’s Foster and Adoption Program Provides the Following Supports

  • Supportive Licensing Staff who have personal experience as foster, adoptive or kinship parents. Our experienced staff can help you navigate the child welfare system while offering both guidance and support.
  • In-home monthly visits to provide on-going support and to ensure your home is following all Arizona State foster and adoption regulations.
  • Support Group Meetings and other Support Activities.
  • Trainings and Guest Speakers.
  • Appreciation Events & Activities.
  • 24/7 Emergency Phone Support.
  • Respite Services.
  • Peer-to-Peer Support, Mentoring and Meet-and-Greets with other foster & adoptive parents.

Department of Child Safety (DCS) Support Services

  • Financial subsidy paid monthly by the State of Arizona for caring for foster children.
  • Monthly in-home visits from DCS Case Managers
  • State paid medical, vision, prescription, and dental services for foster children.
  • No Cost Behavioral Health Care services provided by various agencies who are contracted by the State of Arizona for foster children.
  • Crisis support telephone numbers.
  • DCS Warm Line
  • DES Childcare assistance

Various Community Support Services

  • Many community resources are available to assist foster parents and foster children. Some of these resources include training, clothing, back-to-school supplies, paid camps, special events and outings, and Department of Economic Security (DES) childcare assistance.