AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS

Ensuring every child has someone who cares

aka AASK   |   Phoenix, AZ   |  www.aask-az.org

Mission

The purpose of AASK is to provide relationships for children in foster care by connecting children with foster families, adoptive families, siblings, kin, and adult mentors.

Ruling year info

1992

Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Ron Adelson

Main address

2320 North 20th Street Phoenix, AZ.

Phoenix, AZ 85006 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

86-0611935

NTEE code info

Foster Care (P32)

Adoption (P31)

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

AASK is Arizona's largest non-profit organization with the sole focus of finding relationships for children in foster care. AASK connects Arizona foster children with foster families, adoptive families, siblings, kin, and adult mentors.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Foster Care & Adoption; Mentoring; Sibling Connections

Foster care and adoption services including specialized services for children with developmental delays, disabilities, and complex medical needs. Dedicated units provide respite care, kinship care, and offer bilingual services in English and Spanish.
AASK recruits, screens, trains and supports foster and adoptive families to provide homes for the 17,200 children in Arizona's child welfare system. In addition, AASK matches caring adult mentors with foster children living in group homes and shelters, and reunites brothers and sisters separated by foster care by giving them regular opportunities to see each other and spend time together as family.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

For 30 years AASK has taken the lead in ensuring foster, adoption and kinship families receive the tools they need to be successful parents and caregivers. Kinship families are relatives, family friends, or other adults who know the child (ren), who agree to step forward when children are removed from the birth parent’s care. AASK recruiters find adoptive placements for children who are legally free to adopt.

On any given day, AASK foster families care for 1,400 children. Over half of these families are Kinship. AASK Family Support Specialists help these families navigate the foster care system, identify community resources to offset household expenses, offer training, and provide support if behavioral or other health issues arise. However, AASK is only reimbursed by the state for these services when Kinship families are licensed. For unlicensed Kinship foster families, important services are provided just as soon as children are placed, and funds must be raised to support this work.

Families receive the following support services:

• Jumpstart Orientation to learn more and enter the AASK Program
• Assist families in determining if they would like to become a licensed foster family
• An AASK Family Support Specialist is assigned to help each family navigate the foster care system and secure appropriate resources for the
child (ren) in their care
• Help and support with the DCS case plan for each child that has been determined to be in the child’s best interest for as long as needed

Program staff is trained and utilizes best practices and all programs are evaluated in order to measure progress and effectiveness. Family specialist are dedicated to ensuring positive outcomes for each family and child they serve.

1,400 children in Arizona’s child welfare system were placed in AASK foster homes in 2018.
*AASK finalized 230 adoptions in 2018.
*AASK has a full-time staff nurse for in-home visits and referrals.
*In 2018, 170 youth were matched with a mentor who provided a positive relationship for youth in foster care.
*AASK served 150 foster children who were reunited with siblings in 2018 and kept them connected monthly at sibling connection outings
and a 1-week Sibling Camp each June.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    Foster families and families of children receiving HCBS services.

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.),

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    The people we serve, Our staff, Our board,

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Financials

AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

AID TO ADOPTION OF SPECIAL KIDS

Board of directors
as of 1/21/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Rita Meiser

Rita A. Meiser, PLC

Term: 2000 -

Dennis Genge

Retired

Kelly Singer

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

Adam Christensen

Bell Bank

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/21/2022,

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 02/19/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
Policies and processes
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.