Support
State Support
The Family Support Team
Mentoring & Support Groups
Events
Questions & Answers
At AASK, we know that the hard work for the foster family begins the day the foster child moves in to their homes. In addition to helpful services provided by the state, AASK provides a variety of services and programs to help support and nurture foster families.
State Support
Monthly Reimbursement - Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement for care, clothing and personal allowance.
Health Insurance - Foster children are covered under their own state health care plan. All health care cost are paid by the State of Arizona.
Day Care - For foster parents who work full-time, day care costs are covered in full or in part through the DES day care program.
Respite Care - Foster families are provided parenting breaks and time away.
AASK Support
- Ongoing support from your Family Specialist
- Developmental assessments by registered nurses for all foster children under age 3
- Parent-to-Parent Mentoring Program
- Support groups
- Informative family trainings throughout the year
- Annual Foster Care Holiday Party and Spring Picnic
- Free tickets to a variety of community and sporting events
- Access to community donations such as quilts, clothing, diapers, and formula.
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The Family Support Team
At AASK, we know that the hard work begins the day your adoptive or foster child moves into your home. We have a family support team devoted to supporting and nurturing your family for a lifetime.
Post-Placement Support Coordinator:
Provides foster and adoptive families access to valuable resources,
including: Family support groups
- FULLY SPONSORED Admission to AASK and other agency trainings
- 24-hour family assistance
- Therapeutic referrals for families in crisis
Systems Navigator:
Helps foster and adoptive families work their way through unfamiliar
systems within the community, including:
- Educational systems
- Medical systems
- Mental health systems
- Therapeutic networks
Behavioral Consultant:
Helps to prevent or reduce behavioral problems within the home by:
- Identifying behavioral challenges the child or children are displaying
- Helping parents to learn strategies to manage challenging behaviors
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Mentoring
AASK's PARENT-TO-PARENT Mentoring Program connects new foster and adoptive families to experienced families to provide support and encouragement in handling the everyday experiences of parenting a child with special needs.
This unique program gives new AASK families the opportunity to get practical advice from foster and adoptive families who have experienced the challenges and joys of parenting children with similar needs.
Support Groups
AASK's adoption and foster care support groups give parents the opportunity to meet and network with other families. Our support groups:
- Meet regularly
- Enjoy topic-driven conversations
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Events
Camp Chosen
Held every Columbus Day weekend in Prescott, AZ, this camp gives older adopted children and teens an opportunity to connect with other adopted kids. At Camp chosen, children enjoy exciting activities, build self-esteem and have lots of fun with new friends. Activities include:
- Ropes Course
- Horseback Riding
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Hiking
- Sock-hop & Karaoke
- Arts & Crafts
- Games
- Campfire & Cookout
- Peer Group Activities
The AASK for Respite program provides campers with:
- Free Transportation to and from Camp
- On-site nurse
- Trained, professional respite care providers to chaperone campers (1 adult respite provider/ 4 camper ratio)
- 3 meals a day, plus snacks
- LOTS of fun activities
For more information or to register for Camp Chosen, please call JC Gayton at (602)254-2275, ext.272
Parents Night Out
A "date night" for the parents cleverly packaged as a super exciting evening for the kids! Four times a year, Moms and Dads head out on the town, while their children are having the times of their lives at a chaperoned party at the zoo, science center, and Boys & Girls Club or other fun destination.
For more information on Parents Night Out, please call JC Gayton at (602)254-2275, ext. 272
Diamondbacks Forever Family Night
Once each year, several of AASK's adoptive families are recognized at the Diamondbacks Home Plate for their love and dedication to their children! At this event, 40,000 Diamondbacks fans are on hand to help us honor our adoptive families!
For more information on Diamondbacks Forever Family Night, please call Diane Walker at (602) 254-2275, ext. 209
Phoenix Suns AASK Family Night
Once every year, an exceptional AASK foster or adoptive family is honored AT CENTER COURT for its love & commitment to children.
For more information on the Phoenix Suns AASK Family Night, please call Diane Walker at (602) 254-2275, ext. 209
AASK Foster Care Spring Picnic & Holiday Party
Twice each year we host two fun-filled parties to honor the dedication and commitment of our foster families. These Parties include:
- Food
- Activities
- Clowns
- Santa
- Gifts
- Photos
Annual AASK Adoption Party
This festive event brings together AASK's adoptive families, recognizing the year's placements & finalizations and celebrating the gift of family. This party includes:
- Food
- Activities
- Photos
- Family Recognition
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Q & A
What does the Behavioral Consultant do?
The Behavior Consultant works in concert with the family and if needed, the child's team of professionals, to develop specific behavioral strategies that can assist with stabilization and preservation of the child's placement.
Who is eligible for Behavioral Consultation services from AASK?
For home-based consultation any family caring for/parenting a non-birth child. This covers adoptive, foster, kinship or guardianship-based placements.
How can a family get an appointment with AASK's Behavioral Consultant?
Parents can call the Family Connection Project Coordinator directly and ask for a referral, which can be completed over the phone. The referral process also requires a brief Intake. The Project Coordinator will then give the referral to the Behavior Consultant who contacts the family to schedule an appointment. There is no cost for this, or any service provided through the Family Connection Project at AASK. We ask only that you complete a satisfaction survey when the services end.
How do we get family support after we have adopted a child?
If you have an AASK Family Specialist, he / she can refer you to The Family Connection Project, by completing and submitting a referral to the Family Connection Project Coordinator. The Family Connection Project is made possible through Promoting Safe and Stable Families (PSSF), a federal contract from the USDHHS, Title IV-B, Subpart2., which is managed by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Children, Youth and Families. This program helps to stabilize and maintain present placements whenever possible, not only by assisting families in understanding and applying behavior principles, but through other supports such as formal training classes, support groups, systems navigation, parent mentors and access to specialized therapists.
What is Camp Chosen?
Camp Chosen is a weekend camp for children who have been adopted. The focus of camp is for children to have fun with others with a similar family experience.
What goes on at Camp Chosen?
Horseback riding, rock wall climbing, hiking, a ropes course, arts and crafts, games, campfire, s'mores and lots more fun activities!
Where and when is Camp Chosen held?
Camp Chosen is at Friendly Pines Camp in Prescott, AZ on Columbus Day Weekend each year.
Who can go to Camp Chosen?
Any child receiving services through Adoption Subsidy between the ages of 8-15.
How can I sign my child up for Camp Chosen?
Contact us at 602-254-2275 and request to be put
on the mailing list for an application
packet.
Referrals for Behavioral Consultation can come from the Family Connections Coordinator, AASK Foster Care or Adoption Family Specialist, the AASK Home and Community Based Coordinator, or from Magellan, which may include, but is not limited to the Case Manager or the Child and Family Team.
