In Arizona, CPS is under the Department of Economic Security, Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). Their web site lists links for information on how to become a foster or adoptive parent. There is information on orientation, application, training, licensing and certification, and other assorted related stuff.

There is a link that will take you to Arizona’s children that are awaiting adoption, and a link to more information on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), like on Alaska’s site. Arizona also has a foster care review board (FCRB) that oversees all the dependency cases in the state. It is made up of volunteers, and they make recommendations to the court as to how the case should progress, based on the children's best interests.

There are 95 review boards in the state, and they are part of the National Association of Foster Care Reviewers. The review boards were established in response to Public Law (PL) 96-272, so that Arizona meets the requirements of the law, also known as the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act.

We also have an organization in Arizona known as Arizona Action for Foster Children. They were established in 1976, and their mission is to

empower and strengthen Arizona's children, youth and families by providing support services and education to enhance their opportunities to reach their full potential.

The AAFC offers pre-service training too, and in Julyof this year they will offer the Partnering for Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships In Parenting (PS-MAPP).

PS-MAPP is designed to provide basic information and skill development for prospective foster parents and adoptive parents as they move through the preparation process, become approved for placement of children in their homes and contribute to placement stability. (PS-MAPP Implementation Guide, September 2002, Section A).

We also have the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF), which I mentioned in an earlier post. AFFCF is a private foundation, created to help meet the needs of Arizona’s foster children that are not funded by the State or other sources. AFFCF provides funding for items, including but not limited to:
· Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades (and helmets)
· Athletic fees and uniforms
· Dance, music, karate, gymnastic and other lessons
· Prom clothing, school pictures and class rings
· Tutoring and extracurricular activities
· Class trips or family vacations
· Apartment set-ups
· Scholarships for college or trade schools
Source…
And then there is Foster Angels of Arizona Serving Together, Inc. (FAAST). They recognized the need for these children to have access to services and programs that will help them enjoy happier, more fulfilling childhoods, and reach their full potential as adults. In response, they have developed a variety of programs specifically designed to address the unique needs of children in the foster care system.
That’s about it for Arizona as far as I know. Please let me know of any other services that you know about any state that you live in.