News Releases

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) can confirm that we removed the children from the home of Machelle Hackney on March 14, 2019.

While we cannot comment or release information on specific aspects of this case due to confidentiality laws, we can comment in general on how DCS licenses its foster placements.

The Department requires all potential foster placements undergo a thorough vetting process before acquiring a license.

Phoenix (January 31, 2019)-

Northern Arizona residents looking for a way to help their neighbors now have a new program available to them.

The program, called CarePortal, is designed to connect families in need with local churches willing to lend a hand.

CarePortal launched in Yavapai County and Coconino County earlier this week.

There have been recent articles and interviews regarding the newly enacted Court Authorized Removal process that imply that DCS is removing children from their homes without court approval.

Some of the statements have been misleading and we wish to clarify our work for the public who places their trust in us to care for Arizona’s most vulnerable children and families.

In a November 26 interview with KJZZ, a reporter stated that prior to enactment of the Court Authorized Removal law, removal decisions rested solely with the child welfare investigator.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) recently received another prestigious national award for its innovative technology improvements that helped caseworkers better serve Arizona’s children and families.

On Monday, September 17, 2018, ISM presented...

DCS caseworkers dedicate their lives to serving children and families in crisis.

But working with children who have experienced trauma can exact a significant emotional toll on a person.

That's why the department recently created one of the first in the nation peer support programs to assist social workers...

PHOENIX (June 8, 2018) – 

Children in foster care often struggle in school because they lack the tools necessary to succeed.

Nationally, fewer than 70 percent of foster youth graduate from high school. And those that do graduate often struggle to complete college. 

But the Department of Child Safety is trying to change that through a new pilot program designed to get technology into the hands of foster children.

Phoenix (May 15, 2018)-                                                                     

When children are victims of crime, their voices often become lost in the legal process.

But children, like adults, are entitled to specific rights.

Phoenix (April 12, 2018)-                                                                     

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office presented its Justice for All Award to Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay for his life-long dedication to serving Arizona’s children.

January 31, 2018

The Arizona Department of Child Safety welcomed its newest, and youngest, member to the workplace this month.

Three-month-old Adam joined his mother, Jennifer, at DCS’s Central Office as the first child to take advantage of the Department’s new infant-at-work policy.

The Department of Child Safety has made significant improvements to child welfare over the past three years.

But there is more work to be done.

A national foundation has recognized Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay for spearheading Arizona’s dramatic child welfare turnaround.

December 21, 2017-

Statement on the Death of 7-year old Sanaa Cunningham

Governor's Proclamation  

GOVERNOR DOUGLAS A. DUCEY STATE OF ARIZONA * PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, the State of Arizona recognizes the importance of giving children who cannot safely reunify with their birth families a permanent, safe, and nurturing family through adoption; and WHEREAS, state and private agencies work collaboratively with the courts, community members and, members of faith-based organizations to unite children and adults through the process of adoption; and WHEREAS, adoption places children into loving, permanent homes where they can flourish and grow up to become happy, healthy, productive members of our community; and WHEREAS, adopting a child is a great joy but also a great responsibility for adoptive families and the communities who support the families who care for them; and WHEREAS, every successful adoption is more than an achievement for these children and their adoptive families; it is a story in which all Arizonans can share. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim November 2017 as ARIZONA ADOPTION AWARENESS MONTH and urge all citizens, communities, and support organizations to renew our commitment to match all children who need a forever family with a loving, adoptive family.

Gilbert, AZ (October 19, 2017) – When a family hits hard financial times, even the smallest needs can add up to the point where the state becomes involved.

But the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) wants to take every step to keep children in safe, loving homes.

Free Arts Arizona and the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) opened their hearts to foster families once again.

Last Saturday, over 400 foster parents and children attended the museum free of charge to experience music and culture from the peoples who live along the Andes Mountain range.

Additions to the original statement posted on June 13, 2017, are displayed below in red.

PHOENIX (May 31, 2017) – The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) will be getting some help from Harvard this year.

The Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab (GPL) has selected DCS for its technical assistance program.

PHOENIX (Tuesday, April 4, 2017) –

Few events can traumatize a child more than being taken from their parents and placed in state care.

PHOENIX (Thursday, March 30, 2017) - Representatives from all three branches of government came together for the first meeting on March 21, 2017 to explore what will be needed to fully implement a process for the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to seek court permission prior to removing children

PHOENIX, March 16, 2017— Governor Doug Ducey announced today that the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) has officially cleared the backlog of inactive cases that for far too long impeded our state’s ability to safely and responsibly improve vulnerable children’s lives.

PHOENIX (Monday, February 13, 2017) – 

PHOENIX (Thursday, February 2, 2017) –This statement is to clarify our position regarding Taylor Ray Freeman being charged with possession of child pornography while in the employment of a group home paid by DCS to provide care.

Marty Hanzal – Everyday Hero

Governor Doug Ducey Proclaims November “Arizona Adoption Month”

Governor Ducey: “Every Child Deserves A Loving, Forever Family”

The Governor’s Office has approved for the Department of Child Safety to propose amended rules that pertain to fire and pool safety in foster homes and residential group care facilities.  The justification for this regular rulemaking is A.R.S. § 41-1026(A)(1) and (A)(5). 

PHOENIX (Wednesday, October 26, 2016)  

PHOENIX (Tuesday, September 27, 2016) – Today, Arizona Department of Child Safety Director Gregory McKay, the First Lady of Arizona Angela Ducey, National Director of Healthy Families Cydney Wessell, other notable prevention advocates, and several hundred attendees celebrated the twenty-fifth ann

PHOENIX (Thursday, August 25, 2016) – The Department of Child Safety is pleased to announce a ground-breaking project called “Fostering Sustainable Connections.” This program will help children living in group homes and shelters to connect or reconnect to people who have been important in their lives, giving them the supportive relationships that will help them to thrive.  For many children, the “Fostering Sustainable Connections” program will identify a family to care for the child, thereby reducing the number of children living in group homes and shelters. 

PHOENIX (August 12, 2016) - The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is pleased to report that measurable agency wide improvements continue with month over month gains that help strengthen families and keep children safe.  These gains are in part due to DCS’ ongoing implementation of a strate

PHOENIX (Wednesday, June 15, 2016) - The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) continues to make measurable progress in turning around the once troubled agency, improving services that strengthen families and keep children safe.

PHOENIX (May 6, 2016) - The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) has opened the process to complete the agency rules covering the Department's licensing, regulation and enforcement of standards for child welfare agencies under Title 21 Child Safety that will replace existing rules covering th

Director McKay joined Seth Leibsohn on @960thepatriot to discuss the important role DCS has in the protection and safety of Arizona's children:

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Recent media coverage of children being removed from their homes as a result of parental drug usage illustrates the issue of protecting children while respecting parental rights.

Arizonans need to know that the Department of Child Safety (DCS) is making real progress at safely reducing the backlog of inactive cases and reports.

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Foster families in Pima County are getting some much needed help from local churches, thanks to a program called the CarePortal.

Families in the child welfare system are getting divine intervention through a Tucson-based program which connects social service workers with charitable churches.

PHOENIX (Thursday, March 10, 2016) – Wednesday’s discovery of an abandoned newborn girl in Mesa brings attention to the importance of Arizona’s “Safe Haven” law and the continuing critical need for more foster parents.

Yesterday various news agencies reported the closure of the DCS placement center with an emphasis on children “once again sleeping on the floors” of state agency offices. 

Click here to learn more.

TUCSON (Thursday, December 3, 2015) - The Department of Child Safety today launched the CarePortal from the First Assembly of God Church in Tucson.  

PHOENIX (Tuesday, December 1, 2015) - The Arizona Department of Child Safety has submitted its agency rules package to the Arizona Secretary of State.

Director Greg McKay shares the Department of Child Safety's strategic plan with staff and how it will lead to improved outcomes for Arizona's children and families.

PHOENIX (October 15, 2015) – On October 14th, 2015, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Phoenix Police Department conducted a joint investigation into the death of five-month-old, Will'lae Porter.  This is an ongoing law enforcement investigation and the cause and manner of death are not

TUCSON (September 29, 2015) – Join members of the faith community and The Global Orphan Project for two informational meetings, introducing residents of Pima County and members of the faith community to the services that will be offered when the CarePortal website launches later this year. 

Being a foster parent is hugely rewarding and Arizona needs you! Click here for more information.

Click here to see Director McKay's message to foster families

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. October 1st Governor Ducey will light the State Capitol dome purple as a symbol of Arizona’s dedication to ending domestic violence. Stand with the Governor as we say, “It Can Stop”.

PHOENIX (September 3, 2015) – The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is notifying the public that the Child Abuse Hotline phone number, 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445), is experiencing a temporary disruption.

PHOENIX (Tuesday, August 18, 2015) – The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Arizona FIRST Advisory Commission have launched a website to provide comprehensive information, resources and answers to questions for Arizona foster parents.

ARIZONA (July 14, 2015) – With desert temperatures rapidly rising, Bashas’ and Food City grocery stores have teamed up with the Arizona Department of Child Safety to urge everyone to double-check their vehicle every single time they exit it this summer – to make sure no child is left inside.

Phoenix, AZ (Friday, June 05, 2015) – Investigators from the DCS Office of Child Welfare Investigations (OCWI) are working with the Mesa Police Department in that department’s criminal investigation into the death of a 1 year-old child earlier today.

PHOENIX (Tuesday, May 26, 2015) – Arizona Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay is commissioning a multidisciplinary group of volunteers to reshape Arizona’s foster care system.  The Fostering Inclusion Respect Support Trust (FIRST) Advisory Commission consists

Phoenix, AZ (Thursday, May 14, 2015) – Working at an unprecedented pace, the Department of Child Safety, Childhelp  and the City of Phoenix have reached an agreement to refurbish space in Phoenix to temporarily house children aged 10 and under that have been removed from

Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay is urging all Arizonans to be more vigilant about the safety of children in cars.