You can find a list of courts here: https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Courts/AZ-Courts-Locator
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)volunteers are citizens who are appointed by dependency court judges and are trained to investigate the circumstances of children who have been removed from their homes primarily due to abuse or neglect. They become a voice for foster children and help protect their rights by advocating for their best interests, their safety and permanency and by acting as eyes and ears for the court.
For additional information go to: www.azcourts.gov/CASA
If the parents have not made efforts towards reunification, the state may file for termination of parental rights earlier if children under 3 years of age have been in care for 6 months.
All foster homes and other facilities used by DCS to provide temporary out-of-home care are licensed by the state and supervised by an assigned licensing worker. Foster parents are trained to provide care and to work with DCS and family members toward the goal of family reunification. DCS Specialist visit regularly with children and foster families to ensure that the necessary services are being provided and to monitor the child’s progress. The department will provide all children with medical and dental services, which may include updating immunizations (If the parent has concerns regarding any medical treatment the DCS Specialists must be contacted). Whenever possible, children needing protection are placed with members of their extended family. Placements with relatives may occur during the period of temporary custody or at any later time. Relatives providing such placements must agree to a background investigation, a home evaluation, and sign an agreement with DCS that specifies the conditions of placement.
Yes. Rule 41 (I) of the Arizona Rules of Procedure for Juvenile Court gives you that right to notice, to attend, and to be heard in a court proceeding.
The Department of Child Safety provides services to help families deal with problems and work toward the goal of family reunification. Usually, there is no charge for these services. The DCS Specialist talks with family members to decide what is needed. There are also other agencies or groups in Arizona that offer help. Services that may be suggested include:
Adoption is the legal transfer of all parenting rights and responsibilities from the biological parent to a new parent. The biological parent's parental rights have been severed and the adoptive parents have all the rights of birth parents.
Visitation with children in the custody of DCS is approved on a case-by-case basis. All case plans for children in out-of-home care include a Visitation Agreement which is developed by the case manager and family members. Family members include persons who are related by blood or law, are legal guardians, siblings, or adults with a meaningful relationship with the child. Family members should contact the child's DCS Specialist to request visitation.
Adopted parents become the legal parents and the biological parents parental rights are terminated. A guardianship does not sever the parental rights of the biological parents.
During Department of Child Safety involvement, parents are expected to:
The goal of DCS is to return every child who has been removed to a safe and permanent home. The agency helps parents in solving problems and making a safe living situation for their children. Although the DCS Specialist may recommend that a child return home, the court makes the final determination about when the child is returned. DCS works diligently with families to reunify them as quickly as possible and usually continues to provide needed services for some period after family reunification has occurred.
Visit this website to learn more: https://www.azcourts.gov/fcrb/Adult-Participation/County-Locations
The Department shall facilitate the development of an individualized, family-centered, written case plan for every child, youth, and family receiving ongoing services from the Department.
The case plan identifies the permanency goal and target date, desired outcomes, tasks, time frames, and responsible parties. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual here.
A Safety Plan is a written arrangement between the parent, guardian, and/or custodian; the responsible adult(s) who will take action to control danger threats; and the Department. The Safety Plan establishes how impending danger threats to child safety will be controlled. The Safety Plan describes safety actions that must be taken in order to control anticipated danger and prevent harm to the child. You can find more information by visiting the DCS Policy Manual website here.
Children in care have the right to attend court hearings. Many factors should be considered when deciding whether or not a child in care should attend a hearing, including the child’s age and maturity level, the impact on the child’s education (if the hearing is during school hours), the existence of a no contact order, and the information expected to be discussed at the hearing.
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