When a youth in foster care turns 18 years old, and does not voluntarily remain in foster care, he is on his own.  AzCA works with Child Protective Services in southern, western and northern Arizona to ensure that youth in the foster care system have the skills and resources they need to make it on their own.  Keith*, an 18-year-old youth, has benefited greatly from our Independent Living Skills program.  The program teaches educational goals, vocational goals, hygiene, personal safety, crisis management and family planning to youth in foster care beginning at age 13. Keith speaks to CPS workers about his experiences in foster care. "He's doing great things for himself," said Jennifer Dixon, program manager in the western region.  "He graduated from high school and has been accepted at ASU.  We actually have quite a few of our kids in college right now." 

James and Christine Gow are a foster family. They were busting out of their Phoenix home.  Their three sons were sleeping in one bedroom; their two daughters in another.  They needed more room.  “We were thinking we would love to make this house bigger so we can adopt our four foster kids,” said James.  Then they got busy.  Their home addition project started with a contributed design by MA Designs. His neighbor Ray, owner of Casa de Nosa Custom Homes, came out with his workers and completed the frame.  Carpenter Chris Mahaney and his son pitched in.  Arizona Roofing Supply delivered all of the shingles and New Life Roofing put them on.  “Every time I make a phone call, someone helps,” said James.  The 3600 square foot addition is nearly complete.  Plenty of room for their entire family – including their newly adopted children.  “I love children and I love doing what we’re doing,” said James.  “Our children have been so wounded and we have a real heart to give back.” To find out more about foster care and adoption, click on the "Permanency Programs" tab.

Students at the Davis Monthan Leadership School in Tucson have been identified as future leaders for the Air Force.  There is a long-standing tradition that each of the classes select a community service project.  Arizona’s Children Association was the fortunate beneficiary of a picnic for our foster families from one class earlier this year.  The most recent class also selected AzCA and all 56 students recently spent the day working on projects at Las Familias and The Parent Connection. “The whole point of this work is for the students to see and experience, first hand, how their good work benefits the community,” said Master Sergeant Carl Rhea, director of the Davis Monthan Leadership School. Click on the "Volunteer" tab to get your group involved.

Cindy Landin has supported AzCA through her work at 95.1 KTTI Radio in Yuma for more than ten years.   She thought she knew a lot about Arizona’s Children and foster care, until she filed for dependency for her own grandson.  “There were so many players,” said Cindy.  “I knew I had to educate myself and one way to educate myself was to become involved.”   Cindy and her husband had to learn to navigate the educational system, the medical system, the state Child Protective Services system, the courts and more.  “You feel like you’re out there alone,” adds Cindy.  “You’re trying to do the best for the child in your care as you deal with their confusion and their behaviors.”  Cindy became a member of the Yuma KARE board when it was just getting started.  “The most important thing I have to say to grandparents is that you’re not alone.  There are people and organizations out there to help you.  That’s what the KARE Center is for.”  Click on the "Permanency Programs" tab to learn more about KARE programs statewide.     

For Rachel and Mark Gongaware, it’s the little things that make a difference in the lives of their foster children.  “Every child who comes to our home takes away their own personal memory,” said Rachel.  “One 14-year-old girl couldn’t get over having meals at a table”  The Gongawares have been a foster family for more than six years.  “We thought that doing foster care would be fun and interesting,” adds Rachel.  “We’ve discovered that we’re really making a difference in children’s lives.”  An added benefit for the Gongaware family is the other wonderful foster families they’ve met.  “We’re our own little community,” said Rachel.  “Some of the very best friends I’ve ever made are the other foster families I’ve met.” To find out more about foster care and adoption, click on the "Permanency Programs" tab.

Seven-year-old Felipe has suffered unimaginable trauma and neglect and has been in and out of the foster care system since age two.  Now he is living in a therapeutic foster home and has a potential adoptive placement.  Felipe and his foster parents and adoptive parents are clients in the Meet Me Where I Am program through Arizona’s Children.  Everyone is focused on one goal - a successful adoptive placement for Felipe.  Meet Me Where I Am (MMWIA) is a statewide behavioral health program dedicated to increasing support, rehabilitation and case management services available to families across the state, especially those with complex needs.  Services are driven by the needs of families.  Arizona’s Children provides MMWIA services in the northern and mid-central region.  

When Thomas* came to AzCA he had numerous suspensions from school, was doing poorly in classes and had charges pending for making threats toward peers.  Over the past two months, his family resource assistant from AzCA has met with Thomas each week at school for approximately a half hour each time to teach and enforce skills that help Thomas cope with anger in a positive way (i.e. cool down methods, changing patterns of thinking, etc.). She also consistently offers praise for the good choices Thomas makes. Thomas’ father speaks very highly of the positive changes he has seen. According to Thomas’ dad, Thomas has made a “complete turnaround and we couldn’t ask for anything more.”   

The clients at La Canada are youth ages 12 to 17 ½ years old who have substance abuse issues.  The majority are referred through juvenile probation and parole.  They bring lots of problems and negative experiences, but they also bring creativity and potential.  Ty*, a youth at La Canada who is a graffiti artist, came up with the idea of creating a mural in the milieu room in the middle of the dorm.  “We told him he had to put together a proposal for the mural,” said residential supervisor Valerie Belcher.  The artists each had a piece of the mural based on La Canada and sobriety. To learn more about La Canada, click on the "Intervention Programs" tab.

*Some names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.