Latest News & Events

Arizona’s Children Association has been proud to be a premier provider of behavioral health services for children and families going back to 1960.  Our highly qualified staff have helped vulnerable children and families through some of the most difficult challenges they have faced.  Through all of this, AzCA has drawn upon its own limited resources to cover many of the costs not covered by our contracts.  Since 2016, AzCA has faced significant financial losses in its behavioral health programming.  AzCA has taken major, impactful steps in the past 2 years to try to address the losses we’ve encountered.  Because of the significant losses we continue to experience – we have had to take further drastic steps.

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.”

AzCA Community Impact Podcast

AzCA Community Impact Podcast

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.

AzCA Community Impact Podcast

AzCA Community Impact Podcast

AzCA Community Impact Podcast

View this video for a message from our CEO Jacob Schmitt, MPA about Arizona’s Children Association.

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.

Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) believes in treating and supporting children, youth and families with our strength-based services.

These services assist individuals and families in heightening social-emotional well-being and guiding those that have been impacted by trauma and abuse through the healing process.

According to the US Department of Justice, six in ten US youth are exposed to violence in a given year. Over 90% of people served by human service agencies have survived trauma.

Both children and adults need healing in order to lead full and happy lives.

Bob and his volunteers at Bob’s Free Bikes understand the importance of having a bike as a child. Bob’s Free Bikes says “Our goal is to help as many children as possible in the greater Phoenix area.” Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) is incredibly grateful to partner with Bob’s Free Bikes to provide our children and families with the amazing opportunity of having a bike to call their own.

The month of June is PTSD Awareness Month and Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) is thankful to have the opportunity to spread awareness about PTSD.

PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a mental health disorder that typically occurs after experiencing a traumatizing event.

The Williams family came to Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) when they learned that their niece was placed into out-of-home care.

Being relatives of Aria, there was no doubt in their mind that they wanted to take her in to provide some stability while her parents received the help they needed.

PRIDE Month, celebrated every June, commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan that became the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement. PRIDE continues to help bring awareness and fight for LGBTQ+ rights while also displaying the influence and impact of the LGBTQ+ community locally, nationally and internationally. At AzCA, we are happy to support and stand with everyone within the LGBTQ+ community.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. At Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA), we understand the importance of a supportive and loving family, biological or not. This month, we want to spread the word about being foster parents. Whether it’s learning about the process to become a foster parent or providing a monetary gift to AzCA so we can continue providing these vital services, we rely on people just like you!