October 2022 Issue 55

Fall Fun

Costumes for Kids 5K Fun Run - 120 S Cortez St., Prescott - October 29 - Join in on a costumed dash in the heart of downtown Prescott. Run or walk this 5k with a purpose, supporting CASA for Kids Foundation at Courthouse Square. Tickets: $30, or free for participants under age 16 or foster/kinship families

Verde Canyon Railroad - 300 N. Broadway, Clarkdale - Fright Nights and stationary train: select nights, September 23 - October 31. Haunted Halloween Express: October 31 - When you're dying to tap into everything dreaded, climb aboard Verde Canyon Railroad's Fright Night phantom railcars, permanently parked at the depot, and make all your nightmares come true. Frightening tales and treats are plenty through the month of October. Passengers and train staff are encouraged to ride the rails in costume on October 31. Tickets: $30 (Fright Nights), $119 (Haunted Halloween Express) Purchase a train ride and add a Fright Night ticket for only $25

Halloween Harvest & Trick or Treat Trail - Heritage Square, Flagstaff - October 31 - Roughly 20 downtown businesses take part in this family-friendly event and offer "treats" in the form of candy, discounts, or both to those on the trail. Live music, fun crafts, games, and plenty of deals round out this Halloween event. Tickets: No charge to trick or treat, and many businesses offer discounts

Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze - 12907 E. State Route 169, Dewey - October 1-31 - Fun for the whole family, day and night. During the day, enjoy activities such as 40 (!) farm rides, u-pick fields, a 15-acre corn maze, ziplines, and a ropes course. At night, enjoy fire dancers, karaoke, pig races, and barn dances. Some activities are only available during the weekend; check the site for details. Tickets: $14 per person (children 2 years and under free)

Willis Farm Fall Festivities & Haunted Corn Maze - 381 S. 1st Street East, Snowflake - September 24-October (Haunted corn maze on Saturdays only); closed Sundays - The addition of a game room and laser tag separate this fall farm event from others. Choose from two separate corn mazes, including one that is overrun by ghosts and ghouls, transforming into a haunted maze on Saturday nights.Tickets: Prices vary by activity, from $2-$20 per person

Apple Annie's Fall Pumpkin Celebration - 2081 Hardy Rd., Willcox - September 24–October 30 (Saturdays and Sundays) - Swing by the farm just in time for fall. Hayrides, a corn maze, and cool autumn weather await at Apple Annie's. End the day by picking the perfect pumpkin, sunflower, or fall vegetable. Tickets: Free to enter; produce prices vary by item and weight. The corn maze is $8 (12 and older), $6 (ages 3-11), and free for children under 2.

Flandrau Spooktacular Science - 1601 E University Blvd., Tucson - October 30-31 - Discover scary science this Halloween weekend. Little scientists can explore spooky arts and crafts, terrifying treats, and a Halloween-themed laser show. Two other planetarium shows, "Legends of the Night Sky" and "Spooky Tucson Sky," also make their return for a limited time. Tickets: Range from $3 - $9 (kids 3 and under are free) *Science exhibit and planetarium show admissions are sold separately.

Nightfall - 201 S. Kinney Rd., Tucson - October 6-30 (Thursdays - Sundays) - After a two-year hiatus, the popular Old Tucson Halloween event returns for its 30th anniversary with a completely new experience. Instead of roaming characters, those brave enough to explore this haunted attraction will have to explore the grounds. How much you experience is completely up to you. Will you help the residents of Nightfall and uncover the town's hidden secrets or sit back and enjoy the show? Tickets: Thursdays and Sundays: $35 (12 and older), $30 (ages 5-11), and free for children 4 and under. Prices increase $10 on Saturday (children 4 and under are still free). *A $5 parking pass is required for each vehicle.

Marana Pumpkin Patch & Farm Festival - 14901 N. Wentz Road, Marana - Thursday thru Sunday in October - Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, where pumpkins are only 50 cents per pound. Enjoy train rides, a petting zoo, a zipline, a corn maze, and even a pumpkin cannon! Tickets: $15-$17 per person (kids 2 and under are free) / Zipline, pony rides, and cannon are extra.

Enchanted Dream Parties - 750 Airport Rd, Williams - October 2 - Celebrate the fall season with an afternoon of family fun! Join Cinderella for photos in the pumpkin patch and ride ponies. Tickets include a mini pumpkin to decorate during the event, treats, and a raffle ticket to win prizes. Additional extra options include face painting, pony rides, family photos, shopping, and food trucks. Free for adults and babies under 12 months. No charge for parking. Tickets: $15

Strange Garden - 1201 N Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix - October 21-22 - Discover the desert's creepy crawlies and frightening flora at the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG). Enjoy live performances and take home a free pumpkin from the Garden's patch. Tickets: $35 (adults), $20 (youth), or free with DBG membership.

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival - 7555 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale - October 28-29 - Join a family-friendly weekend spooktacular with tethered hot air balloon rides, trick-or-treat stations, and costume contests. Tickets: $17 (adults), $12 (kids 12 and under), or free (kids 2 and under) *Prices are subject to increase as the date of the event approaches.

Halloween Spook-Track-Ula - 7301 E Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale - October 7-31 - Witness as McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park transforms into a haunted playground, chock full of family-friendly fun. Reserve your hour-and-a-half block to experience unlimited spooky train and haunted carousel rides. Tickets: $15, or free for kids 2 and under

Vulture City Halloween Experience - 36610 355th Ave., Wickenburg - October 21-23 - The abandoned mining town returns to life for a weekend in October for a new Halloween Experience. Choose from a morning (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or evening (3 - 9 p.m.) entrance and then wander the site, which features restored buildings showing life during the town's heyday. Enjoy live trick-or-treating, food vendors, a beer garden, and live pumpkin carvings by some of the world's top carvers, courtesy of Villafane Studios. Tickets: $25 (adults), $22 (seniors/vets/military), $10 (kids 6-16), or free (kids 5 and under)

Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival - 4011 S. Power Road, Mesa - October 1-30 - Activities on this 25-acre farm include a pumpkin patch, corn maze, zip line, hay climb, "spider web" crawl, giant tube roll, and playground. Tickets: $15 per person (children 2 years and under free)

Local First Arizona Fall Fest - 67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix - November 5 - This family- and pet-friendly event celebrates all things local to Arizona. Held outdoors, the festival features 200 local vendors, live music, food samples from local restaurants, an Arizona beverage garden, kids activities, and a silent auction and raffle. Tickets: Free

Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party - 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek - Thursday thru Sunday, October 1-31 - Part amusement park, part family farm, Schnepf's annual fall party is fun for both kids and adults. Spend your time playing mini-golf, wandering two corn mazes, and riding the roller coaster. Or take a seat on the miniature train—day and "spooky" (night) times available. And, of course, it wouldn't be a chili party without plenty of chili and BBQ. Tickets: $23.95 per person (children 2 years and under free) / discounts available

Tolmachoff Farms Pumpkin Days & Corn Maze - 5726 N. 75th Ave., Glendale - October 1-31 - There's a big pumpkin patch, of course, but the highlight here is the farm's three themed-corn mazes: one for kids, another with a hidden puzzle, and a haunted maze (Fridays and Saturdays thru October 31 only). Tickets: $15 per person (children 2 years and under free) / Haunted Corn Maze starts at $25 per person

Mother Nature's Farm Halloween Pumpkin Patch - 1663 E Baseline Road, Gilbert - late September-October 31 - Bring a picnic lunch. You're likely to be hungry after you pick your pumpkin, take a hayride, go through the spider web crawl, feed the animals, and complete Alexander’s Adventure Maze. Don't forget to stop in at the Farm Boutique for some cute holiday decor and treats. Tickets: $10 per person (on sale at the entrance) / Concessions and food for the animals is CASH ONLY.

MacDonald's Ranch Pumpkin Patch - 26540 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale - October 1-31 - Pick your pumpkin or pan for gold at this family-run and family-friendly ranch. Other activities include a hay-bale maze, petting zoo, photo areas, and lawn games, as well as a barrel train and a mechanical bull. Tickets: $10 per person (weekdays - closed Tuesdays) / $12 per person (weekends) / discounts available.

Old MacDonald's Pumpkin Patch at the Great Arizona Puppet Theater - 302 West Latham Street, Phoenix - October 7-30 - This high energy, fun-filled Halloween show is great for the little ones! See the silliness ensue when all the animals on Old MacDonald's farm have to find a costume for Halloween. Told with hand puppets and rod puppets, this show has lots of sing-a-long fun. It's a Halloween treat! Recommended for ages 2 and up. Tickets: $12 adults, $8 child

7th Annual Spooktacular Outdoor Movie, Halloween Party, Food Trucks & MORE - 8135 West Lone Cactus Drive, Peoria - October 8 - Grab a blanket, chair, your family & friends and enjoy the FREE big screen Halloween themed family movie night featuring Sony Pictures: Ghostbusters Afterlife, food truck picnic, and so much more. Tickets: Free

Movie In The Park: The Nightmare Before Christmas - 100 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction - October 8 - Bring your blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy a nice evening outside watching a great family movie. Movies in the Park Presented by SRP will be bringing "The Nightmare Before Christmas" to the big screen at Flatiron Community Park. Tickets: Free

Trick-or-Treat at the Museum - 215 N 7th St, Phoenix - October 29-31 - Join us for a day of spooktacular fun! Ghosts and ghouls are invited to trick-or-treat through the Museum, monster mash on the dance floor, create a Spooky Tree in the Art Studio, take part in the fashion fright show, and explore three floors of imaginative exhibits! Tickets: Free with paid museum admission of $16

Enchanted Halloween Festival-Hocus Pocus Party - 48109 N Black Canyon Hwy., New River - October 29 - Ready for a bit of Hocus Pocus? Bring the whole family for a fun-filled, not-so-spooky afternoon of fun! Enjoy pumpkin decorating with additional paid options for face painting, photos, treats, yummy food, and boutique shopping. We will have a good witch vs. bad witch performance, followed by a costume contest with prizes. Tickets include a mini pumpkin to decorate, treat bags, and a raffle ticket. No charge for babies under 12 months. Free parking. Tickets: $10-$15

Apache Junction's Halloween Festival 2022 - 1091 W Southern Ave, Apache Junction - October 29 -Halloween is coming up and the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation wants to make your night spook-tacular! We will be hosting our annual Halloween Festival from 4:00-8:00pm on Saturday, October 29th. This event is free to the community and is offered as a safe alternative to the traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating. There will be lots of activities throughout the night for the whole family including a costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, bounce houses, kid's games, trunk-or-treat, and much more! Tickets: Free

Scottsdale's 51st Annual Fall Festival - 2311 N. Miller Road, Scottsdale - October 29 - Grab your favorite costume and candy bag, and celebrate the season with Parks and Recreation! We’re excited to announce that Fall Festival will be returning to Eldorado Park on October 29th now with its new time of Noon to 4 p.m.. This FREE family event features game booths, inflatables, live entertainment, food trucks, costume contest, and more. Tickets: Free

Goodyear's Fall Festival 2022 - 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear - October 29 - Experience where “Haunted meets Harvest” at Goodyear's annual Fall Festival featuring live entertainment, bounce houses, concessions, and a pumpkin patch! Stroll through the trick-or-treat village for free candy. Don't forget to come in your best costume to take home the grand prize! Tickets: Free

Pumpkin Patch Plunge at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center - 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction - October 29 - Plunge into our floating pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin! Enjoy painting, carving, and other activities. $5 per participant for youth age 0-17; includes 1 pumpkin. Pre-registration is highly recommended as number of pumpkins is limited. Tickets: $5

Bug Fest at the Arizona Boardwalk - 9500 East Via de Ventura, Scottsdale - October 30 - The Butterfly Wonderland Foundation presents the biggest bug bash of the year - HALLOWEEN EDITION! Enjoy cockroach races, butterfly releases, a photo 'hissing booth', interactive bug zoo learning stations, edible insect treats, crafts, and more! This event is free and recommended for bug-lovers of all ages! Wear your Halloween costume, and be entered to win PRIZES! Tickets: Free

AZ Families Thrive Read Along

The start of the school year has brought a new intern to the DCS Foster Support Team. Alyssa is a Bachelor of Social Work student at ASU and will be assisting with various projects until her graduation in May. As part of her learning plan to enhance her knowledge of child welfare, Alyssa will be reading books about foster care, childhood trauma, and development. If you are also looking to enhance your knowledge and skills, read along with us!

The Facebook group is by invitation only and is limited to newsletter subscribers. Membership requests will be verified. Discussion starters will be posted each Monday, however group members can post additional questions or comments at any time. Healthy discourse is encouraged, but members should be mindful of the sensitive nature of the topics, as well as privacy and confidentiality. The group is a safe place for all members and the families we serve, so content will be closely monitored. We look forward to learning with you this year!

The October book will be Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter.

Therapeutic Foster Care Information Sessions

Dear Caregivers,

We thank you for your ongoing commitment to the children and families you support in our community. We are reaching out today to discuss a growing need within the foster community for Therapeutic Foster Caregivers. We believe that many community caregivers have the skills and experience needed to successfully serve children with higher therapeutic needs. Children in therapeutic foster care need consistent and stable caregivers with behavioral health experience and specialized skills in order to help the children on the path to succeed in their next family environment. To learn more, you can visit https://dcs.az.gov/TherapeuticFoster.

We are holding regular virtual information sessions in partnership with the licensing agencies that support Therapeutic Foster Care to help share information regarding the Therapeutic Foster licensing process and how it differs from community care. These information sessions will review the specific guidelines and requirements for becoming a Therapeutic Foster Caregiver. We hope that you will consider attending to learn more and see if this is something that you and your family might be interested in pursuing. If it is not right for you, consider that you may know someone who is a good fit. If so, please recommend this opportunity to them.

Pre-registration is not required; you can attend any session via the Zoom link:

• 10/1 10AM
• 10/6 6PM
• 10/15 10AM
• 10/19 6PM

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/J/4198109787 Meeting ID: 419 810 9787

Thank you so much for your time and dedication to children and families in need.

Sincerely, Gillian Vanasse, Assistant Director for Foster Care Supports

Phoenix Rising Tickets

The Phoenix Rising Football Club has gifted For Goodness Cakes free tickets to their October 1st and October 15th games specifically for our foster care community - kiddos, resource families, and agency staff. Scan the QR code to sign up!

Christian Family Care 40th Anniversary Celebration

Strategic Prevention Framework Partnership for Success Grant

Tanner Community Development Corporation is recruiting youth and caregivers, currently or formerly involved in foster care, to participate in the evidence-based curriculum: Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities (SMEFC). The program is a culturally-sensitive parent education course that was designed to prevent family and community violence, improve parent-child relationships, and promote healthy families. The program serves families with various types of caregivers, including parents but also grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc., and children of all ages.

SMEFC is a strength-based prevention-intervention program for parents with children between 3 and 18 years of age. The twelve-session program (nine sessions if condensed) promotes parent and child self-esteem, self-discipline, and social competency skills.

The program goals aim to reduce the following:

• Drug/alcohol use
• Teen suicide
• Juvenile delinquency
• Gang involvement
• Child abuse and domestic violence

Contact Linda Arroyo for more information: 602-253-904 ext 210 or lindaarroyo@tcdccorp.org.

Tucson Toys for Tots

Art of Love Event

Free Arts Family Nights

Free Arts would like to welcome foster and kinship families for a night of community connection. Kick off the month with an art project, dinner, and quality time together. Learn more about Free Arts programs for foster families. Pizza and salad are included, and the whole family is invited!

Click this link to register for one or more of these monthly Monday night events: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-arts-family-night-tickets-428691366417

For more information, please contact Erina Sanchez by emailing esanchez@freearts.org or calling (602) 258-8100, ext. 920.

Mercy Care Events

October 26 - 6:00-7:30pm - Birth to 5 Training - Mercy Care Children’s System of Care will provide an informative training resource to the community around Birth to 5 supports, trauma informed care, and resources in our community. Open discussion around services and resources will conclude the training. Register here.

November - No CFAP Meeting

December 7 - 6:00-7:30pm - Parent/Caregiver Self-Care Training and Resources - This is an informative training on how we as parents can take care of ourselves. Resources will be provided for supports to allow parents and caregivers support when needed. Open discussion around services and resources will conclude the training. Register here.

Reading 2gether

Reading 2gether is a program in Pima County that helps children and parents strengthen their relationship by reading a book together via phone or video chat twice per week. The parent can request a referral through their attorney or DCS Specialist. If you are informed that the parent has requested this service, please support and encourage the child's engagement with their parent.

GAP Ministries Training

CPR/1st Aid and Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation Trainings

Casa de los Ninos is offering in-person/online hybrid CPR/1st Aid traning and an Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Awareness training (DDD-required for CDH-licensed homes) for just $35 per person.

CPR/1st Aid

• Saturday, October 8, 2-5pm
• Saturday, November 5, 9-12pm
• Saturday, December 3, 9-12pm

CPLC Training Classes

Chicanos Por La Causa is offering a free class for tweens/teens ages 11 - 18, as well as a parenting class for their caregivers.

Our teen class goes by the name of "Sowing Seeds" and centers around drug abuse prevention education. The curriculum we use in the class is research-based and is called Project TND (Toward No Drug Abuse). We know that this topic is not one of the "fun" topics to cover, but we aim to keep conversations very open and honest in a judgment-free zone.

Our parenting class is facilitated by Pam Campbell, who is a certified trainer of trainers of the "Active Parenting of Teens" curriculum. Pam takes a trauma-informed care approach to facilitating these classes. The focus of the class overall is to strengthen the bonds between caregivers and their youth by going over different parenting styles, demonstrating effective communication, and learning about how to have talks with their children about sexuality and substance abuse prevention.

CPLC Parenting Arizona does provide all course materials. At the end of all 6 sessions, participants earn a "Family Toolkit" that comes with journals, pencils, a medical lockbox, a "How Well Do You Know Me" game, and other useful things for families to practice what they learned in class. We also do provide a certificate of completion to caregivers that lists 12 hours of class time completed. Parenting classes are open to Foster/Kinship/Adoptive parents and also to professionals who work with foster/kinship/adoptive youth.

Scheduling varies by need, so please reach out to Ashley Avila for more information.

Foster Arizona

Foster Arizona is providing some much-needed resources for kinship and foster families. Families can request First Night Essentials for new placements, as well as Back-to-School supplies.

First Night Essential Items

Are you in immediate need of some items for a child that has been recently placed in your home? Please fill out our request form. Be specific and add links, if the items are available online.

Current Notice To Provider is required for each child needing support. Also, the child must have been placed in your home within the last 10 days. Please fill out one form per child. Requests will be met as funding allows. You will be notified if/when the request is fulfilled. Kinship families will receive priority.

To request First Night Essentials, click this link: https://forms.gle/x8SgwYe7sn5M8LQq8.

Back-to-School Items

Are you in need of items for your child’s education, or items that will allow him or her to experience normalization in their schooling? Please fill out our request form. Be specific and add links if the items are available online. Also, upload any school supporting documents, if the request is a school fee.

Current Notice to Provider is required for each child needing support. Please fill out one form per child. Requests will be met as funding allows. You will be notified if/when the request is fulfilled. Kinship families will receive priority.

To request Back-to-School Items, click this link: https://forms.gle/YQXFcmB58dhP25CN8

Car Seat Safety with Phoenix Children's Hospital

Love Your Texture - African American Hair Care

Love Your Texture is an organization that answers questions and educates foster caregivers on hair products and styling all textures of hair. The organization is eligible for funding through Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (under Ethnic Hair Care).

Boys & Girls Club

Foster Ed

Advocacy31nine

Are you a caregiver of a student in foster care? Do you need support navigating the special education system to get help for your student? Does your student have difficulty at school or exhibit behaviors that have a negative impact at school?

Advocacy31nine provides educational advocates at no cost for students impacted by foster care, kinship, or adoption in Arizona. Our trained advocates help you navigate the confusing maze of special education and help students get the support they need to THRIVE!

one-n-ten Support Groups

one-n-ten provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to connect with others, engage in fun, empowering programs, and get resources to be their best self. They also offer a monthly Parents' Group that is open to parents, teachers, counselors, or other trusted adults to ask questions about one-n-ten programs and services and how to best support their LGBTQ+ youth. For questions about Parents' Group, contact Gina at 602-279-0894 or gina@onenten.org

Arizona Grandparent Ambassadors

We are a statewide support and legislative advocacy network of, by and for grandparents raising grandchildren and non-parent caregivers raising children. We are the families who give these children safe, stable homes and keep them out of the foster care system. Join us as we work with legislators and policymakers to create positive changes for our families. Check out our website for information and resources, including parenting classes, respite services, support groups, therapy and parenting help, and more!

Raising Special Kids

Raising Special Kids began in 1979 as a grassroots effort of families, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide support and information for parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Today, Raising Special Kids serves as Arizona’s Family-to-Family Health Information Center, and as Arizona’s Parent Training and Information Center. Helping parents access information about health care, community resources, and support services so they can make informed decisions regarding their children’s care has been our mission from the beginning. We support thousands of Arizona families each year through our programs and services.

Raising Special Kids provides programs and services at no cost to families. No eligibility determinations are required. Any parent or family member of a child with a disability can take advantage of services provided in English, Spanish, and other languages.

• Individual Consultation - Our staff of Family Support Specialists is comprised of parents and family members of children with disabilities who can relate to the challenges facing parents and family members who call for support. Our staff receives ongoing training on Federal and State programs, as well as community-based programs and resources, available to individuals with disabilities and special health care needs. We provide families with support for the full spectrum of issues a family may encounter from birth through age 26, and sometimes beyond. Raising Special Kids staff specializes in information and training in the areas of Education, Health Care, Behavior Support, and Transition to Adulthood. Families who contact us or are referred for individual consultation will receive: a call from one of our Family Support Specialists by the end of the following business day; compassion and understanding from our staff of professional, experienced, fellow parents or family members of a child with a disability; information, resources, problem-solving support, and strategies to help parents access and advocate for the support their child needs.
• Parent-to-Parent support has always been the heart of Raising Special Kids. Each year, more than 300 families in Arizona are connected with veteran “mentor” parents who have walked a similar path and who understand the challenges of raising a child with a disability or special health care need.
• Raising Special Kids’ Positive Family Coaching (PFC) program provides enhanced support to families of children receiving behavioral health services through AHCCCS. Through the child’s Child & Family Team (CFT), Raising Special Kids can provide support with education, health care system navigation, development of effective advocacy skills, and strategies for positive behavior support. Currently, Raising Special Kids PFC program is only available to families of children with Mercy Care and United Healthcare plans through AHCCCS, with more plans to come soon. If you have Mercy Care or United Healthcare and would like to receive Positive Family Coaching from Raising Special Kids, please contact your child’s case manager to request our Positive Family Coaching services. For more information, please call us at 602-242-4366.
• Events & Trainings - At this time, most events and trainings are being held virtually. Trainings/workshops include topics such as Talking to Your Child About Sexuality, Understanding 504, IEP Training, High School Transition, Early Childhood Education, Positive Behavior Support, and more.

Family Involvement Center Resources

For plenty of parents, teachers, and school staff, anxiety is running high as school is back to in-person learning, and COVID-19 cases are rising again. So we want to remind you that support is available right now. Our team is trained to help with recovering from the psychological effects caused by the pandemic. Thanks to our partnership with Resilient Arizona, you can receive confidential help at no cost in group or one-on-one settings. This includes for supportive crisis counseling, education and development of coping skills. Again, services are 100% free and confidential.

Resilient Arizona providers are located throughout Arizona. If you live in Northern Arizona, call (928) 440-6181. If you reside in Central Arizona, call (602) 704-0440. And if you live in Southern Arizona, please call (520) 485-5858.

The available support also includes assistance with finding food, paying house bills, accessing free childcare, and other essential services. You can also dial 2-1-1 anywhere in Arizona 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit www.ResilientArizona.org. Feel free to email us at pac@familyinvolvementcenter.org if you have any additional questions.

ASA Now

ASA Now is a non-profit organization that ADVOCATES for, SUPPORTS, and ASSISTS children and families impacted by foster care. We are passionate about providing support to families and professionals by restoring hope and empowering them to better serve these children in need.

Services we offer include tutoring & extracurricular activities, food pantry, clothing, and meeting basic necessities. Other services include life skills for youth, respite care, therapeutic programs, family activities, peer-to-peer support groups, education and training on utilizing Jacob's Law to obtain behavioral health services, providing resources to families and caregivers to successfully navigate the foster care system, raising awareness, recruiting new foster families, and advocating for families and their children.

Arizona Helping Hands

Arizona Helping Hands provides essential needs for children in foster care in an effort to help every foster child feel safe and loved. Our programs provide beds, clothing, hygiene items, birthday packages, backpacks filled with school supplies, licensing safety items, foster footlockers, and more. Our services are open to kinship and foster families with a current Notice to Provider.

After hearing stories of caseworkers driving over six hours to pick up items like beds, clothes, and birthday gifts, we have decided to open a second Arizona Helping Hands location in Flagstaff, Arizona. This northern location is our first step in expanding access to our services across the state. To receive assistance from our Flagstaff location, please contact Matt Lipan at mlipan@azhelpinghands.org to schedule an appointment.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

AZAFAP wants to support you and the children in your family (foster, kinship, adopted, biological). We are a non-profit, statewide organization that serves families who adopt children and provide foster and kinship care. Working in partnership with child welfare professionals and the community, our purpose is to support, educate, empower and provide a unified voice for Arizona’s foster and adoptive families, with the goal of increasing the well-being and stability of Arizona’s most vulnerable children. AZAFAP’s programming is open to all foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Arizona. Basic membership is free and includes a subscription to our monthly newsletter with information and resources, our online support groups, and some of our training. Premier membership is available for an annual fee of $75 for two-parent families and a discounted rate of $50 for single-parent families. Premier members are eligible to participate in all program activities. Our programming includes Family Connections events like camps, picnics, and staycations, Family Support Services such as training, Children’s Basic Needs with new shoes, jackets, toys and bikes, and Community Awareness events. Join us today before the Family Camp registration opens! Visit www.azafap.org/membership for more information.

Sign up on our Event Calendar! If you aren’t a member yet, check out our free membership so you can sign up! Ever need adult conversation during the week? We also have weekly drop-in chats on the calendar on Tuesdays and Fridays!

Papa John's Partnership

Southwest Human Development Head Start

Southwest Human Development is offering Early Head Start and Head Start Programs. The in-person classes will be small to encourage physical distancing while being socially together. There will also be virtual programs that families can participate in from home. In-person groups will be limited to 8 children with 2 or 4 teachers, depending on the length of the program day.

For children under 3 years old, the Early Head Start program offers a 10-hour program for working families designed to provide a high-quality learning environment while encouraging physical distancing, as well as a virtual curriculum families can participate in from home.

The Head Start program has in-person, small group programs offering 10 hours, 6 hours, or 3.5 hours of care in a high-quality learning environment designed to limit close physical contact, as well as a virtual option for families to participate in from their home.

Child Crisis Arizona Training

Child Crisis Arizona's spring program calendar is live! Classes include Adoption 101, Neurosequential Model in Caregiving, Trauma Informed Parenting Techniques, and more! All trainings are virtual via Zoom.

Email FCATraining@childcrisisaz.org to register for training or the support group!

STEP Training- TUCSON

Support, Tools, and Education for Parents (STEP) is designed to build positive relationships between family members. It provides a safe space to discuss topics that may be too difficult to talk about at home. These conversations are about peer pressure, stress, and the importance of working together as a team. When caregivers and children work together, it creates a stronger family! The Children’s Advocacy Center understands that family does not always mean a biological parent and child. STEP is a program that will benefit the whole family, including biological, foster, kinship, and adoptive families.

Families enrolled in STEP will meet virtually each week. Each session consists of different topics such as communication, stress management, substance abuse prevention and how to talk to your child about difficult topics (identifying potential child abusers, child abuse, healthy and concerning sexualized behavior), each session building on the next. Child care will be available when classes are offered in person again. For questions, please contact Jackie Ballesteros at jballesteros@soazadvocacy.org or 520-724-2148.

Christian Family Care Training

AZ.127 Foster Family Support & Connections

AZ.127 will be offering support via Facebook & Instagram mini-sessions of techniques and tools from the Trust-Based Relational Intervention program. Additionally, they will be matching mentor foster families with foster families in need of support.

Caring Connections for Special Needs

Yavapai CASA for Kids

Helen's Hope Chest

At Helen's Hope Chest, our mission is to engage the community to provide for the basic needs of children and teens in foster and kinship care. Helen's provides more than just clothes for kids in care. It is important that every youth who comes through our door feels a sense of confidence, acceptance, and dignity. Our boutique environment allows kids to choose their favorite items and feel like they are in a regular store, all at no cost to the foster/kinship family.

Families with a current foster or kinship placement are encouraged to call us at 480-969-5411 to schedule an appointment.

Christian Family Care Thrift Store

Did you know, Christian Family Care’s Thrift Stores have been around since 1996? Previously known as Family Attic, our Tucson and Phoenix thrift stores help fund our adoption, foster care, and counseling programs. Make a donation, shop, or volunteer at our thrift stores. Don’t miss out on all of the amazing discounts we offer. All foster/adoptive families in Arizona receive a 25% off discount when shopping at our thrift stores. Just show the cashier this Thrive article for the discount. Visit https://cfcare.org/get-involved/#thrift-stores to learn more!

Tucson Resources

Spreading Threads is a grassroots, nonprofit community clothing bank that provides free clothes to foster youth in southern Arizona. The organization was founded by two foster moms in Tucson who have fostered and adopted several children in Arizona. Your donations go directly to local children in need. The second Saturday of each month, foster, adoptive, and kinship families can visit the clothing bank. A Notice to Provider will be needed. The clothing bank events are held at 2945 N Flowing Wells in Tucson.

A Mighty Change of Heart

A Mighty Change of Heart provides FREE duffle bags to foster children with new, age-appropriate items inside: 2 outfits, shoes & socks, underwear, book, diapers/wipes, hygiene items, and more. These bags have the children’s names embroidered on them, and are something that they can call their very own. They have delivered over 3,500 bags across the state.

Please check out their website for more information: www.amchaz.com. If your family, business, church group or school would be interested in holding a donation drive, please contact A Mighty Change of Heart. Items are always needed.

Warmline Supports Kinship and Foster Families

The Foster Parent Warmline is available for kinship families and licensed foster parents. While not an emergency number, Warmline staff can assist with information, timely communication, and support. It is not intended to discourage or replace direct and regular communication between the DCS Specialist and the out-of-home caregiver. You can reach the Warmline by calling 1-877-KIDSNEEDU (1-877-543-7633) and selecting Option 3. Please leave a message with your name and contact information in order to receive a call back.

Children's Heart Gallery

More than 70 percent of the children in need of forever families are adopted by their relatives or foster parents. For the remainder, special recruitment efforts like the Heart Gallery are used to connect them with a forever family.

The children featured in the Heart Gallery represent all ethnic groups and range in age from toddlers to teenagers. Some have special behavioral or medical needs, some are without siblings, and others are in groups of siblings.

Jason & Brian