DES Announces Major Cuts to 

Foster Care Program

The Department of Economic Security has announced major cuts to Arizona's foster care program. All of these cuts will have a significant impact on the children in foster care and will place additional demands on the AFFCF to help these needy children. The result of these cuts will also likely result in more children and families NOT being served in their homes, and coming in to foster care. More than ever the AFFCF needs your financial support if we are to help these children! Click here for donation options

 DES reductions that were announced in March 2009: 
 
• DES will NOT investigate 100 percent of potential risk reports made to the Child Protective Services because of CPS staff cutbacks and furloughs potentially leaving thousands of children at risk. 
• Reduce independent living stipends paid to 400 children aging out of the foster care system by 10 percent, from $795 to $715.
• Reduce or eliminate in-home services for 4,000 children and reduce or eliminate support this could result in many more children going into foster care.
• Reduce substance abuse services contracts, eliminating services for 1,400 individuals --- again leaving children in foster care or forcing children in foster care because treatment for family members is not available.
• Reduce Healthy Families eliminating prevention services for 3,500 families and thousands of at risk children potential in harms way.  

1. Effective March 1, 2009, foster care daily rates for 4,500 children in family foster care will be reduced by 20%, across all levels (i.e., Basic, SP2 and SP3). 

2. Effective immediately, the camp and vacation allowance ($250 per child) is eliminated. 
 
3. Effective March 1, all allowances to foster families are cut:
 
Emergency clothing is cut from $300 per year to $150 per year.

Emergency clothing extra (i.e., fire, flood, theft) is cut from $200 maximum per year to $100.

Books/Education expenses reduced from $165 to $82.50 a year.

Special needs allowance (holidays, birthdays, special occasions) cut from $45 to $22.50 a year.

Overnight camp or family vacation allowance ($550, recently reduced to $250), eliminated.

Diaper allowance (for children who require additional funds for diapers - requires medical authorization) cut from $125 maximum per month to $62.50.
 

See a complete list of DES cuts on their website: https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/default.aspx?id=3460&menu=12