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Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information

What does the licensing inquiry process look like?

When OLCR/OLR makes the decision to request a licensing inquiry, the licensing agency is notified along with the GAL, DCS worker and supervisors within the agencies. This notification comes through an e-mail from OLCR/OLR. Depending on the nature of the concerns, an unannounced visit may occur. If an unannounced visit is not needed, the licensing worker simply contacts the family to arrange a visit. For the agency, the licensing inquiry process is outlined in detail by OLCR/OLR. The licensing worker will discuss the specific concerns with the family. The licensing worker may also need to interview other household members. Usually, the licensing worker will need to interview the children in the home. After all of the information is gathered, the licensing worker generates a report. The report will indicate whether or not any licensing violations were found.

How do I access Arizona's Online Reporting Service for Mandated Reporters?

Each mandated reporter creates an account.
Each time the mandated reporter logs in, the Reporting Party section will auto-populate with the mandated
reporter’s information.
The mandated reporter can update account information.
Register for an account.
Login to existing account.
You may wish to Bookmark or Favorite the Log In page to your browser.
If you forget your user name and password, the system allows you to reset your information.

What might happen as a result of a licensing inquiry?

If the licensing agency determines that there were no rule violations, it will suggest no further action. However, if it is determined that licensing rules were violated, the licensing agency will recommend a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). A CAP usually requires additional training and/or monitoring of the home to ensure any licensing violations are corrected. Regardless of what the licensing agency determines, OLCR/OLR will make an independent assessment of the findings. OLCR/OLR will either accept the report and recommendations as they are written or add additional requirements at their discretion. An open licensing inquiry may delay renewal. The licensing agency will also place the family on hold for additional placements until OLCR/OLR sends a closing letter with their recommendations. If a family chooses to close their license with an open inquiry or prior to completing a CAP, OLCR/OLR will deny any re-applications and the family will not be eligible for licensure in the future (R21-6-414.I.2).

Why use Arizona's Online Reporting Service for Mandated Reporters?

Provides an additional means to ensure the safety and well-being of Arizona's children.
Provides a convenient, secure alternative to reporting via telephone and there are never any hold times.
Allows you to print a copy of the concern you have submitted for your confidential record.
Automatic email receipt informing you that your concern has been received.

Can families contest the findings of the inquiry?

The inquiry report is generated by the licensing agency in partnership with the family. The family is expected to cooperate with the agency by fully disclosing any requested information. Families will be provided a redacted copy of the licensing report after it is submitted to OLCR/OLR. If a family feels that they have been treated unfairly or inaccurately represented, they may contact the persons listed on the Supplemental Notice of Inspection form that would have been provided by the worker at the time of the visit. The licensing agency has the final authority regarding what is contained in the licensing inquiry report.

What information should I expect to provide during the online reporting process?

The online reporting service is separated into five sections:
- Section I: We ask you to identify yourself and tell us what type of reporting source you are (i.e. – school, law enforcement, etc.). You can use the online reporting service as a one-time user, or you can become a registered user with a secure user name and password.
- Section II: We gather information regarding the child(ren) such as their age, school/daycare or where the child(ren) can be located.
- Section III: We inquire about the adult profile so that we can understand who was involved in the alleged abuse and/or neglect.
- Section IV: We ask you about what happened. This is your opportunity to tell us what your concerns are.
- Section V: We ask you to tell us about the child and adult functioning as well as any other details you think will help ensure the safety of the child(ren) you are concerned about.
After submitting your concern, you will be able to print a copy of the document to keep for your confidential records.
You will receive a unique form number that will be associated with the concern you submitted.
- If you do not receive a form number your concern was not submitted.
Some of the questions we ask you will require a response before you are able to continue and/or submit your concern.
Please Note: The system will time out after being idle for 20 minutes, and any information you have entered will be lost.

How long will the licensing inquiry take?

From the time the request is received, the licensing agency has 45 days to investigate the concerns and submit a report. After the report is submitted to OLCR/OLR, OLCR/OLR will send a written response. OLCR’s/OLR’s goal is to close licensing inquiries within 21 days of receiving the licensing agency’s report.

Can I report a concern anonymously?

Currently the Online Reporting Service is for Mandated Reporters and is reserved for individuals who are willing to identify themselves as the reporting source. Please be aware that the identity of reporting sources is strictly confidential, per ARS 8-807.
Department of Child Safety is committed to assessing all concerns of child abuse and neglect to determine if a concern meets the statutory criteria for a DCS report.
The Online Reporting Service best serves Arizona's children when the reporting source can be contacted for additional information and clarification, if needed.
The Arizona Child Abuse Hotline will assess concern received from anonymous parties and can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-SOS-CHILD / 1-888-767-2445.

How does the Department know that a child has died or nearly died as a result of abuse or neglect (i.e. maltreatment)?

All allegations received by DCS, including allegations that a child has died or nearly died as a result of abuse or neglect, are called into the statewide DCS Hotline.*

State law allows DCS to release case records, but that part of the law is limited to cases of abuse, abandonment or neglect resulting in a fatality or a near fatality. Therefore, 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 with 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.

Additionally, 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.

* Not all maltreatment fatalities or near fatalities are reported to the statewide DCS Hotline. For example, law enforcement may not report a child death from maltreatment to DCS if there are no children in the home for whom there are safety concerns or risks. In addition, incidents that occur outside of DCS’ jurisdiction – for example, on tribal reservations or military installations – may not be reported to DCS.

The Goal of Department of Child Safety

Department of Child Safety’ primary objective is to keep children safe within their own families. DCS works cooperatively with parents to make that happen. Department of Child Safety is a program that seeks to help families by strengthening the ability of parents, guardians or custodians to provide good care for their children. The program tries to balance the legal rights of parents and the needs and rights of children to live in a physically and emotionally healthful situation.

Confidentiality and website security

All communications are secure and encrypted, using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology.
To ensure the information you provide regarding child abuse and neglect remains confidential, this website has been designed to allow the mandated reporter to print the submitted concern. The final concern cannot be saved on the mandated reporter's computer.
Reporting sources cannot access their documentation after it has been submitted.
This website's security has been determined to meet HIPAA-covered entities' requirements to submit concerns of child abuse or neglect, as mandated by state law.

What preliminary information will the Department release about all cases where a child has died or nearly died as a result of abuse or neglect?

State law (see § A.R.S. 8-807.01 A(1) a-g) requires that the following preliminary information be released about a case of abuse or neglect that results in a child fatality or near fatality:

In the case of a fatality, the name of the child who has died.
The age, gender, county and general location of the residence of the child who has suffered a fatality or a near fatality.
The fact that a child suffered a fatality or near fatality as the result of abuse, abandonment or neglect.
The name, age and city, town or general location of the residence of the alleged perpetrator, if available, unless the disclosure would violate the privacy of victims of crime pursuant to article II, section 2.1, Constitution of Arizona.
Whether there have been reports, or any current or past cases, of abuse, abandonment or neglect involving the child or the alleged perpetrator.
Actions taken by the department in response to the fatality or near fatality of the child.
A detailed synopsis of prior reports or cases of abuse, abandonment or neglect involving the child or the alleged perpetrator and of the actions taken or determinations made by the department in response to these reports or cases.

The preliminary information will be posted on this website.

What information should I receive when a child is placed in my home?

When a child is placed in your home, you should receive the following paperwork from DCS:

Notice to Providers (Out-of-home, Education, and Medical) CSO-1035A, completed at the time of placement
Child's Health and Meidcal report - printed by DCS
CMDP insurance number
Information that DCS knows about the child's special needs
Copy of immunization record

Please see DCS Policy Chapter 4: Section 6 for additiona paperwork and information needed, https://extranet.azdcs.gov/DCSPolicy/

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.

What should I do next when a child is placed in my home?

Make the child feel welcome in your home. This is a new experience and trying time, so transition is key.

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