Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Child and Family Services
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. We’ve rounded them up for each of our offerings—foster care, adoption, mentoring and therapy.
Don’t see an A to your Q? Reach out via our Contact Form.
Foster Care
Choosing Ariel means choosing a partner who sees the whole person. We go beyond the basics by offering consistent, compassionate, and individualized support to every Member.
Each Member is paired with a dedicated case manager who acts as their main point of contact and advocate. Unlike many agencies that only visit quarterly, our case managers check in at least once a month—building strong relationships, responding quickly to questions, and making sure everything stays on track. This level of attention helps us truly know our Members, not just meet compliance standards, but support them in living full and connected lives.
Ariel offers a wide range of wraparound supports to help Members, caregivers, and providers thrive:
- Case Management | Ongoing coordination of services with monthly visits to ensure personalized care, close connection, and responsive support.
- Behavioral Services | Our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) provide strategies and support to help individuals succeed in their homes and communities.
- Therapy Services | Individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches like CBT, DBT, and EMDR.
- Nursing Support (Grand Junction only for direct care) | On-staff RNs assist with medical needs, training, and planning—available statewide for team consultation.
- Benefits Navigation (Direct in Grand Junction; consultative statewide) | Our specialists help Members and families understand Social Security, Medicaid, and other systems.
- Program Trainer | Offers customized, hands-on training for Members and providers, including evening and weekend support. This includes assistive tools, tech help, and creative problem-solving.
The Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver offers a more limited level of care compared to the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver, which is required for residential services.
If you only have an SLS Waiver, you may still qualify for other Ariel services, including:
- Behavioral support
- Vocational programming
- Individual and group therapy
Want help understanding what you qualify for? Reach out to one of our Benefits Specialists and we’ll walk through it with you.
While benefits are often managed through your local Case Management Agency (CMA), Ariel’s in-house Benefits Specialists are here to help you understand and navigate what’s available. We’ll support you in gathering documentation, filling out applications, and answering questions along the way.
The Support Intensity Scale (SIS) is used to determine what level of care and funding a person qualifies for. It looks at both medical and behavioral needs and assigns a score from 1–6 (with a level 7 for special circumstances).
This score helps determine eligibility for residential services and other supports under the DD or SLS Waivers. If your needs change—such as a medical event or new behavior concerns—you can request a reassessment.
Yes. Ariel provides 24/7/365 on-call support for Members and caregivers. Our on-call staff are trained in crisis response, suicide intervention, and trauma-informed care.
In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 or 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).
We love this question—and we’re always looking for compassionate people to join our provider network! As a Host Home Provider, you’ll make a real difference in someone’s life while being supported by a dedicated Ariel team.
We offer a variety of programs and services. Contact us with your individual needs and we will route your request to the person who can assist you best.
Foster care provides temporary, safe homes for children and youth who can’t remain with their birth families due to abuse, neglect, or a family crisis. In Colorado, counties hold legal custody of children in out-of-home placement and partner with agencies like Ariel to find appropriate homes. Ariel licenses individual families, provides ongoing support, and serves as a liaison between foster families and the county. The goal in every case is reunification—returning children home when it’s safe to do so.
Children and youth in foster care range from newborns to age 21 for those with developmental disabilities, and come from all backgrounds. There’s particularly high demand statewide for families who are open to teenagers, sibling groups, and children and youth with higher-level needs.
Every case is different. Some placements last a few days; others last months or years. Timelines depend on court decisions, the progress birth families are making, and the individual child’s needs. The timeline is genuinely hard to predict, and Ariel will be honest with you about that.
Yes. Children in foster care are covered by Medicaid.
Requirements vary based on age and gender. Generally, children over age 5 need their own room or can share only with a same-gender sibling. The specific requirements for your home will be covered during the home study process.
Whenever possible, yes. Colorado prioritizes school stability for children in placement because keeping school consistent reduces additional disruption and supports the child’s wellbeing.
Family time is court-ordered contact between children in placement and their birth families. Visits are held at Ariel’s offices in rooms designed to feel comfortable and home-like rather than institutional. Birth parents drive the visit; a trained supervisor observes and documents the interaction. As reunification progresses, visits may expand to community settings. Ariel submits a written summary after each visit and monthly attendance records to the county.
Being able to remember and show up is part of what demonstrates parenting readiness. Holding families to that standard isn’t indifference — it’s an expression of belief in their capability. If a visit is missed without prior notice, Ariel notifies the county worker.
The home study is how Ariel gets to know your family and assesses readiness—not just a home inspection, but an honest look at whether you’re in a solid enough place to care for a child who isn’t. It uses the SAFE methodology: conversations, a home safety review, and a detailed questionnaire covering situations you’d be open to.
Yes. Colorado requires pre-service training before a foster parent can be licensed. Costs vary by location. You’ll complete the state-mandated NTDC curriculum on your own schedule, plus Ariel’s mini orientation. After licensing, annual training is required to maintain certification.
Yes to both. There is no single definition of a foster family. What matters is the ability to provide a safe, stable home and a genuine willingness to support a child through their placement.
You can start by reaching out to Ariel directly—your case manager or supervisor is often able to help resolve most concerns. If needed, concerns about county child welfare practices or a licensed facility can also be reported to CDHS.
Adoption
Ariel offers private adoption and public/foster-to-adopt adoption.
No. Ariel supports private adoption and public/foster-to-adopt adoption within the United States only.
Adoption is open to all qualified families — single adults, married couples, same-sex couples, renters, and families with children. You must be at least 21 and physically and financially able to parent. There are no restrictions based on sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic background, or religious beliefs.
A home study is a comprehensive assessment of your home, your background, and your readiness to parent. Ariel uses the SAFE methodology. It includes criminal background checks and a review of your parenting approach. Home studies are valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The process prepares you as much as it evaluates you.
The county does not offer adoption services. Its primary goal is family reunification. Ariel supports both adoption tracks, is licensed statewide, and has community relationships and contacts across Colorado.
Yes. Adoptive families must live in Colorado and be certified by Ariel, but once certified, Ariel can facilitate adoptions involving children from other states through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
Yes. Ariel welcomes all qualified families, and there is no single definition of what an adoptive family looks like. What matters is the ability to provide a safe, loving home and a genuine commitment to a child’s wellbeing.
Private adoption through Ariel connects hopeful adoptive families with birth parents who are considering an adoption plan. Ariel provides guidance, support, and coordination throughout the entire process.
Timelines vary depending on your preferences and how quickly a match is made. Once a child is placed, Colorado requires a six-month supervision period before you can petition for finalization.
Fees for private adoption vary depending on the services involved and the circumstances of each adoption. Ariel’s nonprofit model allows us to offer some of the most competitive pricing available — because keeping fees accessible is part of our mission. For a full fee schedule and a conversation about what to expect, give us a call.
Foster-to-adopt means becoming a licensed foster parent with the possibility of adopting a child if reunification with the birth family is not possible. Most foster placements will lead to adoption—and for many families it becomes the path to permanency.
It varies greatly depending on the child’s situation and how the legal process unfolds. There is no way to predict how long it may take for a child to become legally free for adoption, as each case follows its own timeline.
That’s completely possible through Ariel. If you have a specific family in mind, you don’t have to start from scratch, Ariel can facilitate the adoption process with that family directly. Attorneys sometimes call this a designated adoption, and it follows the same path as any private adoption: home study, profile, placement, supervision, and finalization.
Children of all ages may be available, but many children waiting for adoption are school-aged, part of sibling groups, or have additional needs.
Adoption from foster care is typically low-cost or free, and many expenses are reimbursed.
Yes. For children that are in the foster care system foster parents receive a monthly foster care stipend to help cover the child’s basic needs, along with medical coverage for the child. Children adopted from foster care may also be eligible for ongoing Medicaid benefits — eligibility is determined case by case with the county.
Youth Mentoring / CSS
One-on-one mentoring with a trained adult mentor, with sessions built around goals specific to each youth. Activities happen in the community, at Ariel’s facility, or at home. Short-term respite—in the home or during daily tasks—is also available to support the family. Group activities are available for youth to connect with peers and learn together.
There is no cost to families. Youth Mentoring is funded through DHS/child welfare, Medicaid, and Ariel’s community partnerships. There is no private pay option. Funding varies by case; call us directly to find out what applies to your child’s situation.
Referrals typically come through DHS/child welfare, a physician, therapist, or another support agency. If you’re not sure whether your child qualifies or how to get a referral started, you can call Ariel directly and speak with the Youth Mentoring supervisor. That conversation is a good place to begin—it doesn’t commit you to anything, and it often clarifies next steps quickly.
Mentors and youth typically meet once a week for about two hours. Where they meet depends on the youth and their goals—it might be out in the community, at Ariel’s facility, or at the family’s home. Children and youth on a waiver may be authorized for more time each week.
Duration varies by case and depends on the funding source. Mentoring typically continues until the youth’s goals have been met and the funder closes the case, until a youth moves or returns home, or if the family disengages from the program.
Sometimes. The standard age range is 6–18, but in some situations—depending on the funding source and the youth’s circumstances—services can continue past 18. Call the main office to find out what applies to a specific situation.
That’s common, especially at first. Families are encouraged to hold the line and give the relationship at least a couple of months—the initial awkwardness usually gives way once a youth and mentor start to find their footing together. If the match genuinely isn’t working after a real effort, a different mentor can be requested.
Mentors come from all kinds of backgrounds—retired adults, working professionals, college students. All are at least 21 years old and complete training in trauma-informed care, trust-based relationship building, CPR/first aid, and crisis intervention before working with youth. Matching considers the youth’s age, interests, family input, and other factors.
Requests are possible and considered, but can’t be guaranteed. Our program supervisor handles matching and takes multiple factors into account, including availability, the youth’s needs, and the family’s input.
Our mentor roster is currently full. Check our Careers page for updates on future openings.
Child and Family Therapy Services
We accept Medicaid and private pay.
Ariel’s therapy team works with children, youth, and adults with I/DD of all ages and all genders. For children in foster care, therapy can begin very young, including toddler-age children using play-based approaches. There is no upper age limit for adults with I/DD.
Our therapy team is made up of master’s-level licensed professional therapists with specialized training in trauma-informed care. About a third of the team has worked directly in the child welfare system; they’ve been inside the foster care world and bring that context to every session. Our team welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
The first session focuses on completing required Colorado state paperwork, discussing current challenges and goals, and getting to know one another so we can best support you.
Each session is scheduled for one hour. How long someone participates in therapy depends on their diagnosis, attendance, and level of engagement. Some people benefit from a few focused months; others need longer-term support. Your therapist will discuss goals and progress with you throughout.
It depends on the therapeutic approach and what’s best for the child. Some sessions are individual; some include family members. The therapist will discuss what makes sense for each situation.
Therapists are trained to work with reluctance, and it looks different at different ages. For younger children or those who aren’t verbal, play therapy provides a way in that doesn’t require words. For older children and teenagers, therapists may use structured activities, skill-building exercises, or simply spend time building the relationship before going deeper. The goal is always to meet the child where they are — not to push them somewhere they’re not ready to go.
We do our best to accommodate therapist preferences while also considering the best fit for your specific needs and goals.
Sessions are primarily in person, held at our Grand Junction office. We do offer telehealth when appropriate and as needed, for example in cases of illness, rural access barriers, or specific diagnoses.
Typically, yes. Clients connected to Ariel’s foster care or waiver programs take scheduling priority, but we’ll always try to fit people in when we can. If the timing doesn’t work, we won’t leave you without options. See the location section above for referrals in Grand Junction, or contact your caseworker for resources outside the area.
Call (970) 245-1616 and ask to speak with the Therapy Supervisor. They’ll walk you through the required paperwork and help with scheduling.
Yes. We follow HIPAA and Personal Health Information (PHI) confidentiality requirements and treat your information with care. Exceptions include situations involving danger to self or others, suspected abuse, or a court subpoena. As an organization, we may coordinate services internally, but only information that’s relevant to your care is shared.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. We understand that things come up, but two consecutive no-shows may result in the loss of your preferred appointment time.
At this time, therapy sessions are scheduled Monday through Friday and are held at the Ariel office. We don’t offer weekend or in-home sessions.
No. Ariel does not offer Reunification Therapy.
No. Ariel’s therapists cannot make custody recommendations and will not testify as expert witnesses.
Ariel is not a crisis counseling center. If you’re experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital or emergency room.
Progress looks different for everyone. Some signs include better emotional regulation, improved relationships, decreased behavioral challenges, or an increased ability to talk about experiences and develop healthier coping strategies. Your therapist will discuss goals and track progress with you.
Therapy addresses underlying emotional and psychological needs, helping people process experiences and build coping skills. Behavioral services focus on observable behaviors and teaching specific strategies to manage them. The two often work together: therapy addresses the why; behavioral support addresses the what and how.
Yes. During our initial conversation, we’ll ask about your preferences so we can best match you with a therapist.
During your initial intake conversation, the team will ask about your availability and work to find a consistent time that suits both you and your therapist. Once that’s established, there’s not much to manage. You both simply know that Thursdays at 4 p.m. are yours, for example. When illness or other commitments come up, you and your therapist will work out an alternate plan.
Simple Practice is Ariel’s confidential online portal for managing paperwork and account information. You may receive information about accessing it once services begin. If you have questions, ask your therapist.
By and large, patients feel better overall. They develop stronger coping skills, experience more and deeper connections in their relationships, and carry more hope about what’s ahead. Many begin to engage more with their community and find daily living tasks easier to manage. For children, families often notice better emotional regulation, calmer behavior at home, and a greater ability to talk about difficult experiences.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or call 911 for immediate emergencies. For a comprehensive list of mental health and crisis resources, visit suicidepreventionmc.org/resources.
For challenges like food insecurity, housing instability, or job loss, community resources are available at 211colorado.org (statewide) or wc211.org (Western Slope).
We accept Medicaid and private pay.
Foster Parents
You need to be at least 21, have stable housing, pass background and child abuse clearances, and complete required training. You can be single, married, working, retired, renting, or owning. There’s no single template for who makes a good foster parent.
Yes. Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help cover food, clothing, and daily living costs. Children in care are covered by Medicaid. Stipend amounts vary based on the child’s level of need and the foster parent’s license level; higher license levels come with higher compensation.
Yes. Many foster parents do. The key is having reliable childcare and enough flexibility to attend appointments: therapy, court dates, medical visits, school meetings. Ariel can help navigate childcare options.
Every situation is evaluated individually. Some issues are disqualifying; many are not, especially with time and context. The best approach is an honest conversation with Ariel’s recruitment team.
Yes, and there’s no penalty. When the county contacts Ariel about a potential placement, Ariel shares that information with you and asks whether it feels like a good fit. Saying no protects both you and the child. An honest assessment is better for everyone.
Ariel expects foster parents to treat everyone in the system with respect: caseworkers, judges, birth families, children and youth of all backgrounds. That’s not negotiable. At the same time, foster parents can identify specific situations they’re not equipped to handle well and decline those placements without being disqualified. If a child’s identity or needs feel like something you can’t fully support in your home, you can say it’s not a good fit. Ariel will call you with the next placement.
It depends on your flexibility. Families who are open to a wider range of ages and circumstances tend to get placed more quickly. Providing respite care while you wait is a good way to stay active and build experience.
Monthly visits from a county caseworker, and a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Child and Family Investigator (CFI) assigned to every case. A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) may also be involved, though this isn’t guaranteed. Ariel attends county meetings alongside foster families. You don’t navigate that system alone.
A GAL (Guardian ad Litem) is a court-appointed advocate present in all child welfare cases. A CFI (Child and Family Investigator) is used when a child is over age 12 and a GAL isn’t warranted; it gives the child more voice in court. A CASA is a volunteer advocate who may be requested but isn’t on every case.
Yes. See the Types of Foster Care section above for a full overview.
Ariel works exclusively with certified kinship families. Uncertified kin placements are handled directly by the county. Getting certified means Ariel can provide the full support package: case management, training, and clinical team access for kinship families navigating a placement.
