News Releases

Department of Child Safety Wins Federal Approval for Innovative Intervention Program to Help Children in Group Homes and Shelters

August 25, 2016 | Press Release

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,...

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Our Turn: Protecting Children By Better Using Our Resources

August 19, 2016 | Press Release

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,...

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DCS Intentional Improvement Strategy Continues to Deliver Positive Gains in Service

August 12, 2016 | Press Release

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 strategic management system.  The system is focused on effectively identifying and resolving critical...

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Statement Regarding Phoenix Woman Charged With Murder and Child Abuse

August 02, 2016 | Statement

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. Natalie Renee Russell, who was arrested by Phoenix Police on July 26th, 2016.

Prior to Adalynn’s birth, there were two reports of neglect against Ms....

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Progress by the Numbers at the Department of Child Safety

June 15, 2016 | Press Release

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.

Morale has greatly improved now that the backlog is under control.  For the first time in years, the average daily volume of work will place investigators...

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Statement on Investigation into Deaths of Three Phoenix Children

June 03, 2016 | Statement

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 murder.  DCS Director Gregory McKay released the following statement:

“It is...

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DCS Opens Rulemaking Process for Licensing of Child Placing Agencies and Child Welfare Agencies

May 06, 2016 | Press Release

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 the same subject matter under Title 6 Economic Security.

In 2015, DCS created the initial...

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Arizona Kids and Families Benefit as DCS Reaches a Milestone in Reducing Backlogged Cases

May 04, 2016 | Press Release

PHOENIX (May 4, 2016) - As the inactive case backlog continues its steady decline at the Department of Child Safety, employees have more time to serve Arizona children and families in need.  Last week, DCS reached a milestone with the number of inactive cases dropping below the 10,000 mark. After hitting a peak of over 16,200 in February of 2015, today the backlog is at 9,868. 

Backlog...

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Director Greg McKay discusses child abuse prevention with 960 The Patriot

April 22, 2016 | Press Release

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

"Every year we see a big uptick in reports to our hotline in April because people are more vigilant and more observant and they recognize child abuse prevention. But it's a year round thing. It needs to happen every day, every...

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Congratulations to CarePortal - One Year of Helping Foster Families

April 13, 2016 | Press Release

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

CarePortal connects state child welfare workers with churches in their local communities. In December, 2015 Arizona joined this worthy effort, starting in Pima County.  Over 50 families and 125 children have been helped...

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