What Does it Cost to Become a Foster Parent in Arizona?

It’s expensive to raise a child but when you open up your heart and home to a child in need, you shouldn’t have to suffer financially. That is why the state of Arizona, and many community partners have come together to reduce or reimburse the cost of being a foster parent.

All in all, it costs nothing to become a foster parent. As long as you are financially able to provide for yourself and have the emotional capacity to care for a child, there are organizations ready to help with the rest.

Licensing Costs

There is no direct cost to become licensed as a foster parent in Arizona. Once you choose a licensing agency there is no application or training fee, and the agency will handle submitting your home study and paperwork to the state at no charge.

Families will be asked during the licensing process to provide financial statements to verify that they have the financial stability needed to open their home to a child. You do not need to meet any certain income level or have any specific amount of money in savings. You just need to have enough money each month to cover your own living expenses.

There are some costs that most people do not think about that the state requires during your home inspection. These include:

• Fingerprinting: All adults in the house must have a Level One fingerprint card.
• First Aid Kit: The Department of Child Safety requires all foster homes to be stocked with a full first aid kit for emergencies.
• Smoke Detectors: All foster homes are tested for working smoke and carbon dioxide detectors at licensing and every six months after becoming licensed.
• Fire Extinguisher: There must be at least one fire extinguisher in the home.
• Bed: Each child must have their own bed in the home, or crib if you intend to foster a baby or toddler. The child can share a bedroom with another child of the same gender and you do not need to own your home.
• Notarized Documents: Some of the paperwork needed for the licensing process must be notarized.
• First Aid and CPR Training: All foster parents are required to have current CPR and First Aid training.

Some of these costs may be covered by the agency you select or even be included during training time. There are also several organizations in the Valley which help cover these basic licensing needs at no cost. Your agency can connect you with them for assistance with these items.

Ongoing Costs

Of course the greatest cost to a foster family would come once a child is in the home. Children need food, clothes, school supplies, and funding for all the extra fun a child needs in their life.

The state of Arizona provides a monthly stipend to foster families to help cover some of these expenses. This stipend varies depending on the services and needs of the child. It may also include a small amount of money each year for clothing and a very small monthly personal allowance for the child based on their age.

In addition to the monthly stipend, the state of Arizona also provides the child with healthcare and dental coverage and an additional stipend for childcare when necessary.

The monthly stipend covers basic needs, but it may not be enough to cover everything a child needs. It is not enough to pay for extracurricular activities, sports equipment and other things that let a kid feel like a kid. Again, there are organizations in Arizona that have recognized the need for this additional funding for foster families and have made it possible to provide that. As a need arises, your agency can connect you with those resources.

Other Requirements to Become a Foster Parent

Beyond the financial aspect, there are many factors to consider when looking into fostering. In order to become a foster parent you must:

• Be 21-years-old or older. There is no age maximum.
• Be a United States citizen.
• Be able to obtain a physician’s statement verifying your emotional and physical ability to care for a child.
• Pass a fingerprint and criminal background check.
• Complete a Life Safety Inspection of your home.
• Complete five weeks of Foster Parent College training. This training is hybrid, partially online and partially in person once a week.
• Provide five personal references.
• Provide documentation including a birth certificate, CPR/ First Aid training certificate, auto insurance, and marriage certificate (if applicable).

Benefits Far Outweigh the Cost

There is no doubt that fostering is a life-changing decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but if your heart is pulling you to begin this journey, there is no reason to put it off any longer. There are thousands of children in Arizona in need of a stable, caring home.

While there are many challenges that come with being a foster parent, both financial and emotional, the rewards far outweigh the cost.

For more information on becoming a foster parent, join us for our next Meet & Greet!