The original SOS Children's Village was built in Austria in 1949. In 1945 Hermann Gmeiner, an Austrian medical student, provided aid for children who had been orphaned or abandoned during World War II. Currently there are 400 Children's Villages in 131 countries, providing homes to over 35,000 children. Over 1,000 associated social service facilities have been built providing services for more than 200,000 children throughout the world.

The Children's Village of Arizona will consist of ten (10) homes on approximately four to five acres of land in Maricopa County. Each home will be integrated into a traditional neighborhood setting. Each home will have a full-time parent committed to raising 5 to 8 children of various ages. Each child will be raised in a permanent family setting until they reach adulthood or until another permanent option is available. The Children's Village of Arizona families will be an integral part of their community, attending and participating in all community activities.

The Children's Village of Arizona parents and children are supported by staff consisting of case managers, a part time associate parent for each parent and a cadre of volunteers who provide mentoring, tutoring, and recreational activities. Additionally, through referral or contract, Children's Village of Arizona parents and children are provided access to psychological services including assessment and counseling, behavioral management and the full range of medical and dental care.

Arizona licensure and other regulatory requirements have been reviewed and the Children's Village of Arizona will pursue licensure as Child Welfare Group Foster Homes or as Agency Group Homes for Children. The options for licensure will be reviewed further and discussed with the appropriate agencies over the next year.