Opening Your Home, Changing a Life: Understanding Arizona’s Foster Care System

A Snapshot: The Current Landscape

Arizona’s foster care system is under immense pressure. Currently, nearly 14,000 children are in foster care across the state. In contrast, there are only about 3,000 licensed foster families available. That equates to nearly five children for every licensed foster home—a gap that highlights just how critical the need for more foster families has become.

Why Children Enter Foster Care

Children enter the foster care system for deeply challenging reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Neglect – the leading cause across Arizona.

• Substance exposure – infants born with drugs or alcohol in their system.

• Safety needs for older children and teens – those who require supportive environments away from unsafe homes.

While numbers vary, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) identifies neglect as the most consistent driver. Substance abuse and unstable family environments also play a significant role in removing children from their homes.

The Goal of Foster Care

At its heart, foster care is designed to be temporary. The ultimate goal is reunification—helping children safely return to their biological families when conditions improve.

If reunification is not possible, the system focuses on permanent placements, ideally through adoption or kinship care (placement with relatives).

Becoming a Licensed Foster Parent

Becoming a foster parent is a life-changing commitment. Arizona sets thorough requirements to ensure children are placed in safe, stable, and loving homes.

Key Requirements Include:

• Age & Residency: At least 21 years old, Arizona resident, U.S. citizen.

• Background Checks: State and FBI clearances, including fingerprint checks, for all adults in the home.

• Financial Stability: Must show the ability to support your household (stipends help, but are supplementary).

• Health & Emotional Fitness: A medical evaluation and readiness to meet the emotional demands of fostering.

The Licensing Process:

1. Orientation – The mandatory first step.

2. Application & Home Study – Includes interviews, documentation, and assessments.

3. Life Safety Inspection – Ensures homes meet safety standards like working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and safe firearm storage.

4. Training – Roughly 30 hours of courses through Foster Parent College, plus CPR/First Aid.

5. Approval – Agencies submit applications for final review by Arizona’s Office of Licensing & Regulation.

The entire process generally takes 4–6 months, depending on paperwork, training, and inspection timelines.

Orientation & Meet-and-Greets: Your First Step

Before applying, families must attend an orientation session. These sessions introduce the licensing process, explain requirements, and provide opportunities to ask questions. Many agencies also host Meet & Greets, making the process more approachable.

Top Agencies to Consider:

• Child Crisis Arizona – Offers monthly virtual Meet & Greets, with upcoming events on Aug. 19, Sep. 2 & 16, Oct. 7 & 21.

• A Circle Together – Provides Zoom-based introduction sessions, including Aug. 9 (Sat, 9 AM) and Aug. 21 (Thu, 6 PM).

• Catholic Charities Community Services – Hosts foster/adoption orientations (Aug. 19, 6 PM; Sep. 20, 10 AM).

• Clarvida – Provides statewide support, including orientations, training, and home studies.

Why It Matters

Every orientation, every family that steps forward, brings Arizona closer to bridging the gap between children in need and families who can provide safety and love. With so many children waiting, becoming a foster parent isn’t just a process—it’s a chance to change lives, including your own.