Legal
WELCOME TO THE KARE FAMILY CENTER
WHO ARE WE?
The Kinship and Adoption Resource and Education (KARE) Family Center is a "one stop center" where grandparents and other relatives caring for children under the age of 18, as well as people who have adoptive children, can receive support and services to help raise children successfully. We are the first such "kinship and adoption" center in Arizona. We are a program of Arizona's Children Association and Casey Family Programs, Tucson Division. These are child welfare agencies with many years of experience in helping children and families. Three additional agencies are partners with us in this work: Pima Council on Aging, Pima County Cooperative Extension (also known as University of Arizona Cooperative Extension), and Arizona Department of Economic Security, Department of Developmental Disabilities, District II. We also have many volunteers, including relative caregivers and adoptive families.
We are located on the grounds of the Department of Developmental Disabilities Community Service Center, at 4710 E. 29th St., Building 7, in Tucson.
Who qualifies for services at the KARE Family Center? Relatives caring for children, adoptive parents, and the children or youth in these families up to the age of 18. Families planning to take in relatives or planning to adopt may also qualify. "Relatives" include blood relations, neighbors, godparents, family friends-any PERSON family members recognize as family. You do not need legal guardianship or custody to be able to receive help from us.
Cost of service: Services are free of charge, unless indicated.
What identification is needed? Potential users of our mental health, case management, recreation services or any service involving a Court must show a legitimate form of picture ID for each adult and child (passport, drivers' license, military ID, birth certificate, tribal document, baptismal certificate, school records etc.) Copies of your documents will be made and returned to you.
Confidentiality: The KARE Family Center has workers on site from the following four agencies: Arizona's Children Association, Casey Family Programs, Tucson Division, Pima Council on Aging, and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Information is shared among these workers so we can make sure everyone on our staff understands the needs of you and your children when we serve you. Sharing information about you outside our program requires your written permission. If you receive mental health services, your written consent must be obtained to share information with anyone except your therapist.
How to receive services: Call 520-323-4476, or drop in. Our hours are 8:30 - 5:00 pm, M- F. If you drop in, and we are unable to serve you at that moment, we will help you make an appointment.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish.
OUR SERVICES
Information and Referral: How do I get help for a child's school problems? Where do I go for a medical checkup when I have no insurance? How do I find a lawyer? How do I arrange for children to visit their birth parent or other relative in jail? What if the authorities come to take away the children - what can I do? Where can I get help for my disabled grandson?
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren has a resource and information binder compiled by relatives caring for children and members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Coalition of Southern Arizona. These members identified core issues such as financial resources and benefits, support groups, basic legal questions, health and nutrition, parenting, child care and child development, that affect grandparents, relatives and adoptive parents who have assumed care of children. Call the KARE Center (323-4476, Ext. 108) to obtain your free resource binder.
Whatever your question, we will find an answer for you. We have classes on topics of interest, a newsletter and calendar about our activities, a computer for you to use, and a website - just ask!!
Case Management: Are you a person who needs a number of different services or support for your family right now? KARE staff members visit in your home and help you and other family members identify your most important needs. Then they will make a plan with you, assist you in finding necessary services and help you make sure you get what you need. Typical services KARE case managers may arrange include:
- Help filling out guardianship papers
- Referrals to counseling for you, a family member or the whole family
- Filling out of forms to receive financial help ("TANF", AHCCCS, Kidscare, etc.)
- Help finding needed furniture, clothing, shoes, diapers, etc.
- Assist in identifying community resources
- Help you make a plan with your CPS case manager
- Advocacy with the schools, DES, Child Support and other large systems
- Information about filing for adoption
Case management finishes when you and the KARE staff agree that the plan has been completed.
Mental/Behavioral Health: Do you or a family member feel stressed, angry, anxious or sad about events that have happened, or are happening right now, for which you have no answer? A KARE therapist can set up regular times to meet with you, a family member, or the whole family to work with you on finding ways to help you cope with your situation. The KARE therapist can also refer you to support groups, psychiatric evaluations, classes that teach you new techniques for being a good parent, recreation for you and your family, and other counseling services in the community. You may receive our mental health services whether or not you or any family member has AHCCCS or other health insurance coverage.
Legal Information: Many people caring for relatives' children ask us: "How can I keep the children safe and stable? How do I work with the Courts?" We offer help with applying for GUARDIANSHIP at Pima County Probate Court, helping you get answers about ADOPTION, and referring you or talking with your workers at CPS, the Juvenile Court or other systems to get the information or specific paperwork you may need. We also offer a free LEGAL INFORMATION CLINIC every month. You can bring your paperwork and your questions to an attorney familiar with the areas of law that are important to relative and adoptive families. Call the KARE Center for an appointment.
Obtaining benefits and basic items for the children: Do you need some extra assistance caring for related or adoptive children? Depending on qualifications, we provide help with:
- Filing for the "Kinship" or ""Child Only" benefit with DES. This is a sum of money or the child only, and does NOT require you to put your own assets on the application. For relative caregivers only.
- Obtaining information about tax relief, if one of the caregivers works
- Filing for AHCCCS, Kidscare, and other health coverage
- Getting child care if you work or need a break.
- Support for your receiving the "Guardianship Subsidy" if you received your ? guardianship through the Juvenile Court
- Support for you if you are a caregiver over 60 years old raising a child 18 or ? under, or for yourself as an older adult, or for an older person living in your home.
At the Center, we can also provide vouchers for necessary clothing and furniture, food boxes, and diapers.
Recreation and Respite: Ever feel like you need some time just to relax, or that the children need some time with other children in their situation? Do you experience stress in the daily routine with the children? We offer opportunities for relaxation and fun, learning new skills, and taking a break from the stress of "24/7" caregiving.
- Day Trips - fun parks, restaurants, museums, movies. Small fees may apply.
- Summer programs and supervised swimming for the children
- After school programs and referrals for tutoring
- Family potlucks
- Holiday celebrations for the whole family
- Wellness activities -- yoga, massage, meditation, tai chi and more
Support Groups: Are there other people out there in your situation? Do you have something to share, or just want to sit and listen? The KARE Center offers support groups for all ages, and some come with free child care and meals. We also have information about support groups all over Pima County. Call today.
Volunteer Opportunities: Have a few extra hours? We have a KARE Center Advisory Council and other committees waiting for your participation! We also need help with answering phones, putting together packets, organizing celebrations and parties, helping people apply for guardianship, supporting other people in your situation, assisting with our library - you name it, and there is a job waiting for you! And an appreciative staff member to train you and support you! |
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