Don’t miss out on the fun with Arizona’s Children Association’s (AzCA) first-ever Summer Camp! To qualify for this FREE camp, your child must be enrolled in AHCCCS. Groups are available for children from ages 8-12 and 13-17.

For me, the idea of becoming a mother through adoption started when I was in high school. I took a class on early childhood development where I learned about the impact on a child’s brain when deprived of loving touch. That’s when I read David Pelzer’s book, A Child Called It. I read all of his books and recall being horrified by what he endured at the hands of foster parents. I remember thinking, “I can do better.”

In the wake of yet another mass shooting that took place yesterday in Nashville, the AzCA family is pained by the loss of lives and the impact on the victims’ families, survivors, local community, and nation as a whole. We want to take a moment to let you know that we are here to support you, especially when tragedy strikes. Sometimes it is difficult to speak to children about community violence, while also keeping ourselves regulated. We want to provide you some resources for speaking with your families about this tragic event, and provide information on ways to help them feel safer and more secure… and build hope for a more peaceful, kinder future.

In 2016, Lupe heard that his sister had sponsored two kids to provide holiday gifts for through Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA).

He credits his sister and his friend, Imelda, who is a Director at AzCA, for getting him involved. That was only the beginning.

November is National Adoption Month, and we are grateful for the opportunity to highlight one family’s story. Last fiscal year, AzCA helped facilitate 326 adoptions and placed more than 1,200 children and youth in loving foster homes. Learn more about foster care and adoption with AzCA by attending one of our adoption info sessions or by contacting us.

Case managers represent several roles at AzCA including Foster Care Adoption Specialists, Parent Educators, and Youth Support Specialists! We reached out to ask two of our Parent Educators a few questions to about their respective roles and all they do for our children, youth and families.

In Arizona, there are more than 160,000 children living in homes where they are being cared for and raised by grandparents or other relatives. During National Kinship Care Awareness Month, this September, we want to honor those who provide a safe, supportive, loving home environment for a relative’s child, while still maintaining a sense of their family, culture and community.