Understanding foster care begins with understanding who foster children are.

Foster children are “normal” children. They are just like your children. Like your nieces, nephews and neighbors, only they have had very different experiences.

Foster children have been removed from their homes because of physical or sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Frequently, foster children are filled with anger, confusion, fear and a sense of powerlessness. It is the role of the foster family to provide a home environment in which the child can feel safe, and where they can grow to meet their physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural potential.

Arizona’s Children Association offers a number of foster care options for individuals and families who think foster parenting might be right for their family. Programs range from interim, respite care programs that provide much needed breaks for parents and children in difficult or distressing family situations, to intensive therapeutic foster care programs.

Determining whether foster parenting is right for you and your family, however, is difficult. If you and your family decide you are ready to act, you can receive more information about the program options in your area by contacting the office nearest you, or by completing the More Information Request Form.