(back to Additional Resources page)

Maricopa County Self-Service Center
Maricopa County has a comprehensive self-service center for individuals to represent themselves in court including the court forms and instructional packets.
http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/superiorcourt/self-servicecenter/

Arizona Center for Disability Law
This site is a great resource for disability related legal  issues. They have a calendar of their trainings, they provide some limited representation and advocacy and special programs such as the Mobility Boarding School. The free Self-Advocacy Guides are excellent. They are guides in the areas of Assistive Technology, Employment, the Arizona with Disabilities Act, Special Education, Division of Developmental Disability, Fair Housing, Voting and Healthcare including mental health.
http://www.acdl.com/

US Department of Health and Human Services
This is the most comprehensive resource on the web for all areas related to foster care, child abuse and neglect, adoption of children from foster and approaches to working with families. The publications catalog contains an article on every issue you can imagine. Everything from articles on Adoption Subsidy, Best Practices for Case Workers to therapeutic approaches to treating abused or neglected children.
http://www.childwelfare.gov/

AdoptUSKids
Has information about both foster parenting and adoption. The resources page has a step by step guide to becoming a foster parent and foster/adoptive parent. The family stories are very informative and moving. The site has several very accessible videos on becoming a foster parent and potentially an adoptive parent.
http://www.adoptuskids.org/

Arizona Department of Economic Security
This is the website to initiate the first step to becoming a foster parent in Arizona.
https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=102&id=1242

Duet – Partners in Health and Aging
Provides a wide range of services for older adults. Specifically, for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. They have support groups, events such as Back to School Fairs, Ice Cream Socials, respite care including assistance with summer camps and this just names a few. The resources page has a comprehensive list of community assistance as well.
http://duetaz.org/index.php/about-us/

AARP
AARP Benefits QuickLINK
An excellent and easy to use comprehensive guide to benefits for those grandparents raising grandchildren. Includes links to applications and phone numbers.
https://aarpkb.benefitscheckup.org/index.cfm?CFID=5611379&CFTOKEN=88933218

AARP link to the GrandFamilies Guide and the GrandFacts Sheets. Includes practical information on what documents a caregiver should obtain, answers to frequently asked questions and suggestions to protect families. Watch the video of the GrandRally and keep up-to-date on legislative and social issues and changes.
http://www.aarp.org/relationships/friends-family/

Heath-e-Arizona
Arizona has a comprehensive website for applying for benefits including kinship care benefits. You can apply for AHCCCS health insurance, Kidscare, AHCCCS Freedom to Work, TANF cash assistance and Nutrition Assistance. Spend some time surfing this site and you’ll find unique programs that may benefit your family such as the Restaurant Program.

https://www.healthearizona.org/app/Default.aspx

Division of Developmental Disabilities
This is the home page for DDD in Arizona. You can look at the eligibility requirements, make a referral for eligibility, search for providers, view related laws and rules and keep up to date on policy changes.
https://www.azdes.gov/developmental_disabilities/

The Working with You Guide is a brief overview of the DDD system to answer basic questions.

https://www.azdes.gov/InternetFiles/Pamphlets/pdf/PAD-517-PD.pdf

The Navigating the System is a 70 page comprehensive guide to eligibility, services and that is segmented into information by age of the individual from birth to adulthood.

https://www.azdes.gov/InternetFiles/Pamphlets/pdf/DDD-1260AHBPPD.pdf

Raising Special Kids
The weekly newsletter will keep you apprised of legislative changes that affect persons with disabilities, helpful resources, and upcoming events. Raising Special Kids has numerous free workshops for families in a variety of areas such as Organizing You Child’s Records, Transition to Adulthood, and Special Education. They have Parent to Parents supports and numerous other valuable services.
http://www.raisingspecialkids.org/about-us/about-us.aspx

Arizona Division of Behavioral Health Services
At this site you can find the links to the Regional Behavioral Health Authority in your area and the services offered to eligible children and adults.
http://www.azdhs.gov/bhs/aboutbhs.htm