Foster Care
You have what they need
Every Child Deserves a Safe and Loving Home
The Need Is Great
Right now, thousands of Arizona children have been removed from unsafe environments. They are scared, alone, and worried about their future.
You don’t need a big house, a certain income, or a perfect family. These incredible kids need love, stability, and someone willing to step in.
Foster parents are people just like you—single, married, widowed, divorced, renters or homeowners. What matters most is your willingness to open your home and heart.
We’re with You
Every Step of the Way
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
FROM GAP’S FOSTER TEAM
- Quarterly events – Parent’s Night Out, Park Picnics, Christmas Party, etc
- Help with diapers and other family needs from GAP Warehouse
- Attend Court/IEP/CFT Meetings
- Disruption prevention assistance
- Monthly support groups
- Routine and as needed home visits
- 24/7 support
How to Become a Foster Parent
Learn More
Attend an information session (held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month) or schedule a virtual one-on-one. We’ll answer your questions about the children in care, the requirements, and what support looks like.
Get Trained
Complete a Home Study
A Family Specialist will get to know you and ensure your home is safe and ready. This includes interviews, background checks, and walking through your family’s preferences (age, siblings, etc.).
Open Your Home
Basic Requirements
- At least 21 years of age
- Legal U.S. and Arizona resident
- Apartment dweller, renter or home-owner
- Able to pass a fingerprint-based criminal history records check
- Earn sufficient money to meet your family’s needs
- Pass a home inspection
- Complete 30 hours of Foster Parent College training
Foster Care Information Sessions
We hold information sessions every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month or you can schedule a virtual one on one session. To RSVP please email foster@gapmin.com or call 520-392-8469.
Info sessions go over questions like:
- Who are the children in need of homes?
- What are the requirements to be a foster or adoptive parent?
- What are the roles and responsibilities of foster or adoptive parents?
- What is the process to become a foster or adoptive parent?
- What supports are available for foster and adoptive parents?
Keep in mind that this is a process that will take time as we get to know you and you reflect on your ability to care for children in foster care. This is the time and place for you to ask questions.
We Chose To Foster…
…because we felt led by God to do so. There was a time where it seemed that everywhere we turned we would hear about GAP Ministries, we would run into foster parents, and we would hear about a need for foster parents. When my husband Jorge was in high school, he had cousins enter the system and he recalls how much pain he felt in his heart for his cousins and not being able to do anything about it. Also, as believers in Christ we couldn’t sit back comfortably with extra rooms in our home after hearing that there are lots of kids that could use our help. This just kept tugging in our hearts. We prayed about it and the next thing you know we were taking classes and getting our license.
Shared parenting, where we as the foster parents form a relationship with the biological parents of our kiddos, is challenging. However, we have tried hard to always be compassionate and kind. We strongly believe that we’re here to help the parents while they get themselves together. We always pray with the children for reunification of the family and so our mentality is always believing the family will be unified.
We work to form good relationships with the parents and we pray that they understand that we’re a team working together to make sure the children are well cared for. We hope that parents have one less worry knowing their children are in good hands so that they can focus, and keep motivated to complete their requirements for reunification.”
Jorge & Sandra D. – GAP Foster Family
You Can Change a Child’s Future
Children are waiting. Your love, patience, and home could be the safe haven they desperately need.
Sign up for an info session:
email foster@gapmin.com or call 520-392-8469
What Is Foster Parent College?
Foster Parent College is a mixture of virtual meetings and online videos that take approximately 30 hours to complete. You can complete Foster Parent College entirely at home. Foster parents are vital members of the child’s team. This training provides information about the roles and responsibilities of all the team members that are there to support you and your foster or adoptive child.
Family Home Study & Safety Evaluation Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Family Home Study?
A Family Home Study is a required part of the foster care licensing process. It’s simply a way for us to get to know you, ensure your home is safe, and help determine the best fit for your family. Our goal is to build a partnership so you are prepared to step into caring for a foster child.
What happens during the interview?
Your Foster Family Specialist will:
- Personally interview you and all the members of your household
- Ask questions that help determine if you are physically, mentally and emotionally able to care for children
- Talk with you about your daily life, family, dynamics, and reasons for fostering
- Obtain personal references for you
- Verify your financial condition
- Verify that you live in an apartment or house that is a safe environment for children (home ownership is not required)
- Verify that you have passed the fingerprinting and criminal history and DCS records check process
- Submit your home study to the Arizona Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR)
How do we determine what children are the best fit?
As part of your home study, we’ll talk about your preferences and comfort level, including:
- Age ranges you feel prepared for
- Whether you’d consider one child or siblings
- Whether you’d like to foster boys, girls, or both
This helps us match children to families where they can thrive.
What information will I have before accepting a placement?
Before a child is placed in your home, we’ll share everything we know to help you make the best decision for your family. This may include:
- The medical, dental, behavioral health and educational needs of the child
- The visitation plan for the child with parents, siblings and other family members (if applicable)
- Transportation needs
- Placement history (if applicable)
- Any special services the child receives
Do I need references?
Yes. We’ll ask you to provide personal references who can vouch for your character, stability and ability to provide a safe, nurturing home.
Will my finances be reviewed?
Yes, but this is not about how much money you make. We just need to verify that you can meet your family’s basic needs without financial strain.
What background checks are required?
All foster parents must:
- Pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check
- Complete a Department of Child Safety (DCS) records check
These are required by Arizona law to ensure child safety
Care for Medically Complex Children
Resources
Click below for more information from the AZDCS Website:
