You’re just a few steps away from becoming someone’s hero.
Help make a difference in their lives by starting the process of becoming a foster or adoptive parent.
The process is broken down into five steps below. Watch the DCS orientation video and then reach out to us, even if you just have questions about how the process works or what it entails. Once you are ready, we will help guide you through the next few steps that lead to becoming a licensed foster or adoptive parent.
The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) has created an orientation video to help prospective foster and adoptive parents understand the process and responsibility involved with welcoming a child into your home. Watch the video before continuing further!
Once you've reviewed the DCS orientation video, please reach out to us! Whether you are interested in moving forward with the process of becoming a licensed foster or adoptive parent or you simply have questions, click the link and get in contact with us. We can answer any questions you have and guide you on your next steps once you are ready.
Foster Parent College is a pre-service training that helps to prepare prospective foster and adoptive parents to make an informed decision about becoming a resource parent and assists participants in deciding whether or not their expectations and abilities match the realities of fostering and adopting. These classes teach foster parents to navigate the child welfare system, the importance of shared parenting, and behavioral management skills. The training consists of 11 online courses that can be completed from the comfort of your own home and 15 hours of in-class instruction, conducted over a course of four weeks. Contact us today to get enrolled in a class that best suits your schedule and location.
Prospective foster and adoptive parents interview with VQ staff to explain their motivations and goals for undergoing the process of becoming a licensed foster or adoptive parent. Following a successful interview, a home inspection is scheduled and conducted to ensure that parents’ homes meet the requirements and expectations set out for them.
Following the successful completion of all of the previous steps, VQ will assist in facilitating the process of participants becoming licensed foster or adoptive parents. With this final step completed, parents are qualified and prepared to receive the placement of a child. VQ's support does not stop here, though. We provide ongoing training and support to all foster and adoptive parents following placements and can help provide training and resources as necessary.
To become a foster parent you must be at least 21 years of age, a legal resident of the United States, willing to participate in a home study, willing to complete foster parent training, and be knowledgeable, stable, mature, and nurturing. In addition, you demonstrate financial stability and space in your home, pass a criminal background check, and provide us with character references. Most importantly, however, you must have a big heart and a desire to make a difference.
VQ provides prospective foster parents with comprehensive training and assists them in receiving their foster parent license. After a foster child has been established in their foster home, VQ continues to offer support to foster parents with in-service training on topics like adolescent behavioral management, the rights of foster children, and understanding children with special needs.
Great question. The first step is to call VQ, 520-270-2162 and set up an initial meeting to go over any questions, concerns, and initial paperwork.
Yes and DCS provides a stipend to help with the daycare cost.
Yes, every child in care has medical and dental insurance. You shouldn’t ever see a medical bill.
We don’t need to see that you make a certain amount, just that you are able to care for your current family and temporarily care for a placement.
Absolutely
Yes! VQ is an all inclusive agency.
A child in care has the right to remain in their school of origin to support normalcy.
A lot of times children will come with only with the clothes on their backs. But not to worry! There are many community resources available to foster/adoptive families to get clothing. Spreading Threads and More Than a Bed are VQ go tos.
VQ is a Trauma-Informed Sanctuary® Certified Organization
The Sanctuary® Model is a trauma-informed, whole culture approach that has a clear and structured methodology for creating or changing an organizational culture. The purpose of the Sanctuary® Model is to increase the emotional intelligence of both youth and staff to create a safer environment for youth to participate in the program.
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