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Arizona Department of Child Safety
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  • Home
  • About
    • About DCS
    • Administration
      • Mike Faust, DCS Director
    • Engage
    • Field Offices
    • Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Rules & Rulemaking
      • DCS Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
      • DCS Non-Discrimination Policy
      • DCS Limited English Proficiency Policy
    • Procurement & Contracts
    • Strategic Plan
    • Community Advisory Committee
    • Volunteer
      • Get Involved
      • Community Partners
      • Community / Volunteer Interest Form
      • FACT Program
      • Giving Tree
    • Contact Us
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
      • Child Safety Specialist
      • Child Welfare Investigative Specialist (OCWI)
      • Search All Positions
    • We Are Compassioneers
  • News & Reports
    • News Releases
    • DCS Reports
    • Performance Measures
      • DCS Monthly / Semi-Annual Report
      • Agency Progress
    • Child Fatalities / Near Fatalities
    • Process for Release of Info
    • Settlement - Tinsley v. Faust
  • Parents
    • Parent Guide
    • Parents Rights
    • Parent Advisory Collaborative
  • Foster & Adoption
    • Foster Care
      • Start the Journey! Orientation
      • Licensing Agencies
      • Information Events
      • Kinship Resources
      • Go-to Guide
      • Foster & Kinship FAQ's
    • Adoption
      • Adoption Stories
    • Shared Parenting
    • Children's Heart Gallery
    • Search AdoptUSKids
    • Newsletter
  • Resource
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Request DCS Information
    • Complaint or Disagreement
      • Ombudsman Complaint Form
    • DCS Forms
    • DCS Brochures & Flyers
    • Protective Services Review Team (PSRT)
  • Services
    • Mercy Care DCS Comprehensive Health Plan
      • For Members
      • For Providers
      • News and Updates
      • Contact Us
      • Language and Translation
    • DCS Service Array
    • Prevention
      • Safe Sleep
      • Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T.
      • Healthy Families Arizona
      • Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils
      • In-Home Services Program
      • Resources for Parents
      • Back-To-School Resources and Tips for Parents
    • Investigations and OCWI
    • Office of Licensing & Regulation (OLR)
    • Young Adult
      • Young Adult Program
      • Young Adult Resources
      • Youth Empowerment Council
      • Transitional Independent (TILP)
      • National Youth in Transition Database
      • CAA Chafee Program Funding for Foster Youth
    • Victims' Rights
  • Report Child Abuse
    • Child Abuse Hotline
    • Mandated Reporter Overview Training
    • Safe Haven Newborn
    • SB1114 - Child Abuse Hotline Required Posting
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  • Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information

What are the different types of visits?

There are 3 different types of visitation – therapeutic, supervised, and unsupervised. Therapeutic visitation is when visitation is supervised by a therapist in the therapist’s office. Supervised visits can occur in a variety of settings and are supervised by a case aide or parent aide or another DCS approved third party. Unsupervised visits are when the parent(s) are permitted to be alone with their child.

When will the preliminary information be released and how will the public know the preliminary information has been released?

The preliminary information will be released within 5 days of confirmation (Chapter 7 - Section 2) of DCS learning that a child’s death or near death is a result of maltreatment.

The information will be posted to this website.

Do I have to transport the child to visits?

DCS may request that you transport the child to visits, but if you are not able to provide this transportation, DCS will make alternate arrangements. Having the foster parent transport a child to visits can make visits easier for the child because you are a person the child already knows.

What happens in cases where a child dies or nearly dies, but there is no medical proof or other evidence that the incident was a result of abuse or neglect (i.e., maltreatment)?

The law allows DCS to release records only in cases of abuse, abandonment or neglect resulting in a fatality or a near fatality. There must be medical proof or other evidence that the fatality or near fatality was caused by abuse or neglect.

Among the information DCS considers when determining that a child’s death was the result of abuse or neglect are:

  • A statement from a physician or an autopsy finding that the child’s death was the result of abuse or neglect;
  • A statement from a parent, guardian or caregiver that they caused the child’s death or near death;
  • the arrest or criminal indictment of a parent, guardian or caregiver in connection to the child’s death;
  • or, A DCS investigation has resulted in a substantiated finding that abuse or neglect by a parent, guardian or caregiver caused the child's death or near-death.

In addition, in the case of a near fatality, a physician must certify that the child was in serious or critical condition due to the abuse or neglect.

If there is insufficient information available to believe that the fatality or near fatality was caused by maltreatment, the Department, by federal and state law, cannot release records in the case.

Do I have to supervise visits?

DCS may request that you supervise visits, especially if you are a kinship foster parent, but it is not required.

How does someone request DCS records on a case where a child has died or nearly died as a result of abuse or neglect– beyond the preliminary information that is released?

Any individual may request DCS records on a case where a child has died or nearly died as a result of abuse or neglect (maltreatment) by contacting the Records Coordinator. Requests may be emailed, faxed or mailed as indicated on the contact us page.

The more information you provide with your request, the faster the Department will be able to respond to your request. Please provide as much information as possible, including full names and dates of birth for the child, the parents and the alleged perpetrator (if a caregiver other than a parent).

The Records Coordinator will notify you when the request has been received, will provide you with periodic updates on the status of your request, and will provide the records to you once they are available.

What should I expect when the child in care is initially placed in my home?

The Department of Child Safety (DCS) should make a referral within 72 hours (2 hours for an urgent need) of a child coming into care, this is called a Rapid Response referral. This is an initial in-home assessment during which clinicians will assess immediate needs and triage any crisis or trauma-related issues. Includes behavioral health assessment, screening for developmental delays, support to child/family placement and connection to ongoing services.

If the child in your care is new to the system and has NOT been assessed within 72 hours, please call Member Services or call the dedicated Rapid Response hotline, 602-633-0763. You can also call this 24/7 hotline to schedule an in-home DCS Stabilization Team visit.

For more information on times lines for services and what to expect, visit https://www.mercycareaz.org/

How soon will the DCS records be released?

The Department is committed to providing the records as quickly as possible. Individual cases will vary, depending on the case circumstances. State law requires that the Department coordinate with the appropriate prosecuting agency before records on specific cases can be released. It also requires that the Department take appropriate steps to protect the privacy of crime victims, sources of DCS reports, and innocent parties in a case (such as siblings, grandparents, etc.) before the DCS records can be released.

The Records Coordinator will provide periodic updates to requestors letting them know the status of their request.

Who can I contact for help in a crisis situation?

For all medical emergencies, dial 911 immediately. For a behavioral health crisis involving the child in your home, contact the Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) crisis line for your county:

Maricopa County: 1-800-631-1314 or 602-222-9444
Pima County — 1-800-796-6762 or 520-622-6000
Gila River/Ak-Chin Indian Community — 1-800-259-3449
Yuma, LaPaz, Pinal, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Cochise and Santa Cruz Counties — 1-866-495-6735
Mohave, Coconino, Apache, Navajo and Yavapai Counties — 1-877-756-4090 For emergent suicide prevention, if you can't reach anyone on the county line, you can call one of twonationwide 24/7 hotlines:
Hope Line Suicide Hotline or 1-800-784-2433
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255
Click here for information about accessing crisis services for your child.

Why do the records get reviewed by the prosecuting agency before they can be released to the public?

Law enforcement agencies statewide are critical partners in protecting children; they ensure that perpetrators of child abuse or neglect are held accountable for the harm they cause to children.

State law requires that the prosecuting agency be given the opportunity to review DCS records that may be released in order to determine whether the release of the records would cause “specific, material harm” to the criminal investigation.

What if someone disagrees with a prosecuting agency that says the release of DCS records would cause specific material harm to their investigation/criminal prosecution?

If any person believes that a prosecuting agency has failed to demonstrate that the release of DCS records would cause a specific material harm to the criminal investigation, that person may file an action in Superior Court and ask the court to review the DCS records and tell the Department which records can be released.

Why must records be reviewed before they are released?

Law enforcement agencies statewide are critical partners in protecting children; they ensure that perpetrators of child abuse or neglect are held accountable for the harm they cause to children.

State law requires that the prosecuting agency be given the opportunity to review DCS records that may be released in order to determine whether the release of the records would cause “specific material harm” to the criminal investigation.

When does a licensing inquiry occur?

A licensing inquiry occurs when OLCR/OLR formally requests the licensing agency to investigate possible licensing violations within the foster home. A licensing inquiry is not an allegation of neglect or abuse; rather, it is an investigation to determine if licensing regulations, especially those contained in Title 21, Article 10, and Article 11, have been violated. Common licensing concerns include discipline violations, life-safety concerns and supervision issues. Licensing inquiries can also occur when families fail to disclose information to the licensing agency such as changes in household composition or significant changes in household finances.

What information is included in the DCS records the Department may release?

The DCS case file typically includes: DCS investigation case notes, including safety and risk assessments regarding the child and correspondence with the family; court documents filed regarding the child, including the family’s case plan and progress reports filed with the court by DCS; and, reports about the child received by treatment and service providers working with the family.

What if I disagree with the determination that records cannot be released?

If any person believes that a prosecuting agency has failed to demonstrate that the release of DCS records would cause a specific material harm to the criminal investigation, that person may file an action in Superior Court and ask the court to review the DCS records and tell the Department which records can be released.

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