The attorneys at Taubman & Associates are versed in all legal aspects of foster care. In addition to advising agencies on licensing issues, we represent foster families who are seeking to adopt a child in their care. Additionally, we represent foster parents who are dealing with licensing or credential disputes.
Types of Placements for Children
Kinship Care Arizona law requires the Court to give preference to placing a child with family members. Kinship may be defined broadly such as stepparents or any adult who has a familial bond with a child.
Group Homes are licensed facilities where children who are wards of the court reside together when a parent is unable or unwilling to provide for their child. Most group homes are small and try to integrate the children into the community. The children attend local schools, are closely supervised, have a structured life — with staff around the clock — and a schedule of counseling, tutoring, and other services.
Foster families are licensed through Arizona and are required to meet certain guidelines. Generally, foster families are caregivers that bring a child into their home to live with their family on a temporary basis until the parents can regain custody or the child is adopted.
Therapeutic Settings are specialized care alternatives for seriously emotionally disturbed children. This type of care is considered the least restrictive form of out-of home care that provides an environment conducive to acquiring social and psychological skills. The settings vary in size and restrictions but all provide a combination of treatment such as: individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and behavior modification.
Requirements on becoming a foster parent
In Arizona, persons who wish to become foster parents must be licensed. This includes the following requirements:
- Must be legal U.S. resident and Arizona resident
- Be over 18 as a kinship provider
- Have a regular source of income, however there is no minimum income set
- Have no record of felony convictions (fingerprints of all persons over 18)
- Intake interview/Submit to a home assessment of all family members
- Agree to attend parent training sessions/orientation
- Submit to one or more in-home visits
- Review of applicant’s personal and professional references
- Submit to CPS registry checks
- Be physically, mentally and emotionally able to care for children. (current medical statement from each applicant is a required)
Foster parents usually need not make a set minimum income, nor even own a large home. Foster children can usually share a bedroom with another child of the same sex. Single persons, married couples and same sex couples are generally accepted as foster parents.