Arizona created the Child welfare agency known as CPS. This article will cover the different functions of DCS, who is eligible to place a child with us, reporting requirements for runaway and abducted children, and background checks required before a child is placed in CPS arizona. In addition, we’ll cover who can apply for a foster placement. After you’ve read this, you’ll know exactly how DCS works and why you should care about us.
Child welfare agency created in 51st Arizona Legislature
The Arizona State Legislature established the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, or DCS, in the 51st Arizona Legislature. The department was created after more than six hundred child abuse cases were uncovered, and Gov. Jan Brewer publicly urged lawmakers to make DCS a separate agency. The DCS now has its own departmental director, who is appointed by the Governor and largely replaces the Board.
The law also incorporated the State Board of Social Security and Public Welfare, a separate entity in the state. The Board was comprised of five members, including at least two women, and had the authority to hire a secretary and enter into contracts with non-sectarian organizations. It was charged with adopting children and placing them in a safe, permanent home. Earlier, County Child Welfare Boards were under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court and each county appointed its own four-person Board. The State Board provided assistance to abandoned children and widows.
Functions of DCS
The Department of Children and Safety (DCS) in Arizona has an extensive legal background. The Department was established in 2014 after the Arizona Legislature separated its functions from the Department of Economic Security. The new department was created after the discovery of more than 6500 child abuse cases in the state. In this opinion, we will discuss the history of and the functions it plays in Arizona. We will also examine how DCS differs from other child protection agencies.
The primary purpose of DCS is to protect children. From 1972 to 2014, We were under the direction of the Department of Economic Security. These agencies investigated child abuse reports, oversaw the adoption process, and provided services for children and families at risk of abuse or neglect. Today, the agency provides a wide range of services to children and families, ranging from preventative measures to treatment services. DCS in Arizona is responsible for the protection and welfare of Arizona’s children and young people.
Reporting requirements for runaway and abducted children
The state of Arizona recently passed a law that makes the reporting requirements for runaway and abducted children more stringent. The new law comes as part of an effort to decrease the number of reported missing children. The Arizona Department of Public Safety created a task force to review the laws and help law enforcement investigate missing children. Among its other duties, the Department helps law enforcement determine if a child is safe and where they are.
In Arizona, if a child is reported missing, the out-of-home caregiver must contact local law enforcement agencies and obtain a copy of the report. If the child is found, the out-of-home caregiver must contact the child’s parents, attorney, or guardian ad litem. This step is critical, as a delay in finding the child could result in charges of child neglect.
Background checks required for placement in DCS
While the primary goal of DCS is to protect children from harm, the system also serves other purposes. Its function was originally overseen by the Child Protective Services Division of the Department of Economic Security (DES), which investigated reports of child abuse and neglect. It also handled juvenile court proceedings and ensured that children had stable homes. In addition to investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, DCS provides treatment services and preventative work to families and children.
