Licensed Foster Care Parent Requirements in Tucson, Arizona

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, as of September 30, 2004 there were nearly 9000 Arizona children in foster care. Perhaps you’ve considered becoming a foster parent. You’ve got room in your home and your heart for an abused or neglected child, and you’d love to feel as though you are making a difference. But you wouldn’t even know how or where to begin to become a licensed foster parent in Tucson, Arizona.

Foster care licensing varies from state to state. To become a licensed foster parent in the state of Arizona you must meet certain requirements. You need to be age 21 or older, have adequate income to support your own family's needs (prior to receiving foster care reimbursement), have adequate living space for a foster child, pass a Health Department home inspection, a background check, fingerprint clearance, a physician's statement that you are in good health, provide personal references, complete training and a home assessment, and meet other requirements. You can be a married couple or a single person.

You cannot become a licensed foster parent if you are awaiting trial or have been convicted of any of the following: sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult; incest; first or second degree murder; kidnapping; arson; sexual assault; sexual exploitation of a minor or vulnerable adult; commercial sexual exploitation of a minor or vulnerable adult; felony offenses in the last ten years involving narcotics; a dangerous crime against children; child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult; sexual conduct with a minor; molestation of a child or vulnerable adult; or aggravated assault.

In Arizona there are several agencies that work with the state to provide background checks, training, and other assistance needed to potential foster parents. This means that you can choose the agency that best meets your needs. Each agency will work to make sure you meet the necessary requirements, and may have some particular requirements of their own.