STATISTICS on Foster Care in Gila County and AZ
The current state of the foster system in Gila County is dire. In Payson alone, there are a mere 3 licensed foster homes, but nearly 28 foster children in care. These children are often sent out of the county and away from the environment and community they are used to because of a lack of licensed foster and kinship homes in Payson. For a child already undergoing such turbulent and traumatic times, such a move can be extremely scary.
During the past 3 years, foster homes in Payson have been closing at a record rate due to the lack of support and resources to aid them and their children. Licensing agencies, which are designed to support foster families, have been pulling out of Payson due to the low number of families that are still fostering.
This vicious cycle has nearly destroyed the fostering community in upper Gila County. Families are not fostering because there are no supports in place, and no one is willing to put supports in place because there are not enough families to make it worth their while.
NAZCA exists to fill that gap, support existing and new foster families in the area, and encourage licensing agencies, therapists, and other vital services to establish themselves permanently in Payson and other areas within Gila County.
Reasons for Removal:
In the Payson area, approximately 50% of DCS intervention stems from drug abuse. The other 50% is due to alcohol abuse, with domestic violence often being a contributing factor in DCS intervention. In the state of Arizona
Statewide Statistics for Foster Care
