First Steps to Becoming Licensed with A Circle Together
STEPS TO STARTING THE FOSTER CARE/ ADOPTION LICENSING PROCESS
The requirements for foster care licensure/ adoption certification:
•Must be at least 21 years of age and obtain a DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card.
•We accept single providers, renters or homeowners, same-sex couples, and families of all backgrounds. We are willing to work with anyone who can provide a safe, and loving home for children in need.
•We do not have breed restrictions on pets, as long as they are friendly and rabies vaccinated.
There are no fee’s for foster care licensing with A Circle Together (minus CPR/First Aid $13 if you do not have already). The State pays foster care subsidy at $20-28/day (tax free), pays all insurance (medical, dental and behavioral health), and pays child care at $125/week. Reasonable Prudent Parenting Standards allow you to raise the children as if they were your own, travel with them, and allow friends and family to provide natural supports for supervision.
FIRST STEP: Turn in application and assessment guide (above) to: [email protected]
We will then schedule an initial home visit to meet you, send you instructions on how to obtain a fingerprint clearance card, and go over licensing paperwork, answer all questions, and schedule you for training. The training is blended, half-online, and half in-person.
For adoption only, we have a need for children age 7 and older, who likely have behavioral health and special needs. It is very rare for straight adoption for infants from the foster care system. For straight adoptions we require you still foster the child for 6 months before you adopt to ensure it is a good match. We do not do private adoptions or out-of-state/ out-of-country adoptions.
All training is located in Tempe, Phoenix, and Tucson. See training schedule below.
This orientation video explains the need for foster parents in Arizona, the steps on becoming licensed in Arizona, tips for choosing a foster care agency, and it explains some of the realities of foster care. More information can always be found at www.azdcs.gov. It is not mandatory to watch this video. Please feel free to just pick up the phone and give us a call and we’ll be happy to explain foster care licensing and answer any and all questions you may have. More information can found at: https://dcs.az.gov/foster
Initial Foster Care Licensing Packet
Life Safety Inspection Documents
Licensing Rules and Other Important Documents
Foster Care 2023 Training Schedule
*All training is blended; half online, half in-person
Saturday Class: 5-weeks
9am to 12pm
Tempe
Saturday Class: 5-weeks
9am to 12pm
South Phoenix
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