Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Families

Jacobs Law – HB2442

Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan works hard to meet the needs of children in the custody of the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and live with foster and kinship families as well as adoptive families.

In March 2016, a law was passed in Arizona. This law is called HB2442 or Jacob’s Law.  This law makes it easier for foster, kinship and adoptive parents to get behavioral health services for children.   

A few of the positive changes include:

  • More services and new programs;
  • New ways to enroll in services;
  • No Wrong Door policy for children involved with DCS to receive behavioral health services;
  • Better communication with foster, kinship, and adoptive families;
  • 24/7 Foster Care Hotline for foster and adoptive parents to get help when needed

Would you like to know more about Jacob’s Law and the rights of foster and adoptive parents?

Contact Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan

We want to hear from you!

Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan is hosting meetings in a town near you. These meetings give foster, kinship and adoptive parents a chance to share their ideas about how to improve the health care system. We hope you can attend at least one of these meetings and tell us about your experience. For the meeting schedule, please call Member Services and ask for our Peer and Family Support Advisor at 1-888-788-4408.  

Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan will also host a quarterly Foster Parent Advisory Council.  The Advisory Council is looking for foster and adoptive parents to participate on the Council.

If you are interested in being a part of the Advisory Council or want more information please contact Member Services and ask for our Peer and Family Support Advisor at 1-888-788-4408.

If you believe a child or someone else is in a life threatening situation, call 911.

If you are in need of Crisis Services, because a child is showing dangerous or threatening behaviors please contact the Foster Care Hotline at 1-844-365-3144.

In addition, call the Foster Care Hotline if you need help with any of the following:

  • Request a Crisis Mobile Team
  • Crisis Mobile Team does not arrive within 2 hours
  • Request for a Rapid Response Assessment
  • Request for support services to maintain the placement
  • Request a higher level of behavioral health care because the child is showing dangerous or threatening behaviors
  • More than 21 days and services have not started
  • Request services from a different provider

Call the Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan Member Service Line at 1-888-788-4408, TTY/TDD (711), if you have general questions about how to access services for a child.

Foster and adoptive parents can access crisis services by calling the Foster Care Hotline at 1-844-365-3144.

Upon request, a crisis mobile team will be dispatched to assess the immediate safety concerns for the child and provide support and resources to the family.

If the crisis mobile team does not arrive within 2 hours, foster and adoptive parents should call the Foster Care Hotline 1-844-365-3144, again to report their concern and secure a timely response.

Resources

Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan is committed to supporting DCS involved children by providing training to foster, kinship and adoptive parents, DCS, system partners and providers.

Some of the training topics include:

  • Navigating the Behavioral Health System;
  • Rights and responsibilities outlined in Jacobs Law;
  • Trauma-informed care;
  • CFT Training;
  • Motivational Interviewing;
  • Additional trainings identified by the Member Advisory Council

If you would like to schedule a training please contact: AzCHTrainingdepartment@azcompletehealth.com

What is the best way to contact Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan?

What is a Rapid Response?

Every child taken into foster care by DCS should receive a Rapid Response Assessment. A behavioral health staff member will be sent to your home to meet with you and the child. This Rapid Response Assessment looks at how well the child is doing since being removed from their parents.  This assessment should happen within 72 hours after the child has been removed from their parent(s).  If your foster child has not been assessed within 72 hours, please call the Foster Care Hotline and request a Rapid Response.

How can I find out if the child is already getting services?

Please call the Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan at 1-888-788-4408 or the Foster Care Hotline at 1-844-365-3144.

What services are available to the child in my care?

Every child enrolled in the behavioral health system has an assigned Recovery Coach, which is a title that Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan uses for case manager. The Recovery Coach is responsible for leading planning meetings called Child and Family Teams (CFT). It is in these meetings that needs are identified and services to meet those needs are discussed and agreed upon. The child’s Service Plan is also completed in these CFT’s. It is important for foster, adoptive and kinship parents to attend CFT’s for the child in your care.

Arizona Complete Health-Complete Care Plan offers many different services to children, parents and their caregivers.  The services available could include Individual Therapy, Family Therapy, Family Support, Skills Training, Medication or Respite.

How soon should behavioral health services start for my foster child?

If you believe that the child is in crisis and needs immediate help call the Foster Care Hotline.

In most cases behavioral health services start within 21 days. If services have not started within 21 days please email AzCHDCS@azcompletehealth.com  or call the Foster Care Hotline 1-844-365-3144

What if services have been delayed or I am not getting the support I need?

If the needs of the child in your home are not being met you should raise this as a concern in the CFT and your concern should be discussed. If the CFT cannot resolve your concern or you have an immediate need you can email AzCHDCS@azcompletehealth.com  or call the Foster Care Hotline and you will receive help.

Can I sign for permission for my foster child to receive services if DCS is not available?

In general yes, foster and kinship placements may sign paperwork for outpatient services. In addition, foster and kinship placements can sign a Release of Information when it is needed for Behavioral Health Services. If you have questions you can email AzCHDCS@azcompletehealth.com  or call the Foster Care Hotline 1-844-365-3144

What if I still have questions or the issue has not been resolved?