News

June 13, 2017 - The Arizona Department of Child Safety mourns the death of Mary Diaz, who died June 9, 2017. She was five-months-old.

We offer our thoughts and prayers to Mary’s family.

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, May 2, 2017) – Technology will soon revolutionize how Department of Child Safety (DCS) frontline workers engage children and families in the field.

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)  - On October 3rd, 20

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, AZ (September 7, 2016) 

Consistent improvements continue month-over-month as the Department of Child Safety diligently pursues its mission to serve the vulnerable children and families of Arizona with excellence.

By Gregory McKay, Director, Arizona Department of Child Safety

Protecting more children with the resources we already have.  Is it possible? Yes, it is.  We all agree that Arizona’s children deserve our very best.  So, first, let me be very clear – there was no truth to the August 17, 2016 editorial, “Streamlining foster care is government speak for cutting services.”  The Department of Child Safety (DCS) has not, and will not, cut services to children and families.  The number of services is growing, as is our capacity to deliver them.  And thanks to new efficiencies, these services will be provided at a significantly lower cost to the taxpayer.

PHOENIX (Tuesday, August 02, 2016) – The Arizona Department of Child Safety is confirming that DCS had previously investigated allegations of neglect involving Adalynn Russell, the child who died April 14th, 2016, and her mother, Ms.

PHOENIX (Friday, June 3, 2016) - On June 2nd, 2016, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), and the Phoenix Police Department conducted a joint investigation into the murder of three children; ages 8, 5, and 2 months.  Their mother survived self-inflicted stab wounds and is suspected in the

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

PHOENIX (April 27, 2016) - Revealing award-winning hidden talents, Department of Child Safety Director Greg McKay demonstrated his culinary mastery while raising money to help abused and neglected children.

PHOENIX (April 13, 2016) - The Arizona Department of Child Safety congratulates CarePortal in celebrating its national one-year anniversary of helping foster families!

PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey today announced a proclamation declaring the month of April “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Arizona.

PHOENIX (Tuesday, March 29, 2016) – The Arizona Attorney General’s office issued a formal opinion yesterday upholding the Department of Child Safety’s (DCS) longstanding policy of interviewing children without parental notice in instances of neglect.

The Department of Child Safety (DCS) exists to ensure that children thrive in healthy environments, and that’s true for every family and child without exception.

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Each year, the Arizona Department of Child Safety removes more children from their homes.
 

PHOENIX (Monday, March 14, 2016) –  The Arizona Department of Child Safety continues to show significant productivity gains with the backlog of inactive cases continuing to drop, and wait times for family services showing tremendous improvement.  As a result, DCS

Every child deserves a safe and loving home, yet some children enter the world without either. The Department of Child Safety is dedicated to the mission that all Arizona children should be safe and belong in strong forever families.  

Read the DCS Response to the Final Report of the Ombudsman Investigation here. 

Positive Progress Continues at the Arizona Department of Child Safety 

Substantial agency milestones have been reached! Find out 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. 

PHOENIX (9-22-2015) – The Department of Child Safety has awarded seven service providers contracts to provide in-home services through the “Building Resilient Families” program.

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.

The Department of Child Safety is excited about our new Children's Placement Resource Center. We are in need of volunteers to help us care for the children who have been removed from their homes. If you would be able to volunteer your time we would like to invite you to out Volunteer Fair... 

Phoenix, AZ (June 1, 2015) – Just two weeks ago, Arizona’s severely abused and neglected children seeking emergency shelter had nowhere to sleep but a hard cot in an office building.

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.

Jun 6, 2014 | Press Release