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The NEW online system for mandated reporters is now available, please login or register HERE.

You can also call the Hotline 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445) to make a report.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety is currently transitioning to the new Guardian information management system. During this timeframe and for several days following the transition, there may be longer than normal wait times. Thanks in advance for your patience.

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Arizona Department of Child Safety

CLICK to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
📞DCS Directory

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Frequently Asked Questions

Mandated Reporters

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 SafetyÂ 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.

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.

Note: The online reporting service for mandated reportersÂ website is only for mandated reporters to report situations that do not require an emergency response. An emergency is a situation where a child faces an immediate risk of abuse or neglect that could result in death or serious harm.

What is a Mandated Reporter?

Mandated reporters are required by law, as defined by ARS 13-3620, to report all concerns of child abuse or neglect. Department of Child Safety (DCS) provides this secure website for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect to report non-emergency concerns, as authorized by ARS 13-3620. Non-emergency concerns are those in which a child is not at immediate risk of abuse or neglect that could result in serious harm.

Other

Where can I find DCS forms?

DCS Forms page

Where can I find the DCS Policy and Procedure Manual?

https://extranet.azdcs.gov/DCSPolicy/

Where can I find DCS Brochures, Pamphlets, and Flyers?

Brochures, Pamphlets, and Flyers page

Find a DCS Field Office

https://dcs.az.gov/about/field-offices

How do I become a volunteer?

Visit our Volunteer page for more info.

I found an error on the DCS website, can I suggest a website edit?

Yes, you can suggest a website edit and your feedback is important to us. Please visit this page to submit your suggestion.

Where can I find a DCS press release?

https://dcs.az.gov/news

Where can I find DCS reports?

https://dcs.az.gov/news-reports/dcs-reports

Where can I find DCS Contact information?

Visit our Contact Us page.

Receipt and Response to DCS

How Does Department of Child Safety Receive Information about a Family?

A report can be made to the DCS Statewide Toll-Free Child Abuse Hotline at 1-888-767-2445, (1-888-SOS-CHILD) or law enforcement office.

When reporting, the following information if known will be requested:

name, age, and gender of child and other family members
address, phone numbers, and/or directions to child's home
parents' place of employment
description of suspected abuse or neglect
current condition of the child

If the information meets report criteria, it is categorized to the severity of the allegations; this categorization determines how quickly a response is made.

When to Report?

A report should be made when any person, who reasonably believes that a child under 18 has been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned. A report of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment is only a request for an investigation. The person making the report does not need to prove the abuse. Investigation and validation of child abuse reports are the responsibilities of child protective service workers.

If additional incidents of abuse occur after the initial report has been made, make another report.

Law Enforcement and Department of Child Safety

Suspected child abuse or neglect may be reported to the police, to Department of Child Safety or both. If the report concerns a person who is not the parent, guardian or custodian of the minor, the report is made to the police. In cases where the report is concerning a parent, guardian or custodian and the allegations are criminal conduct allegations, such as sex abuse, a call is made to DCS and the police. DCS will coordinate its investigations with law enforcement. Although DCS cooperates with the police, the focus of its assessment is different. DCS seeks to protect children and to maintain and stabilize families, not to arrest or prosecute parents.

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Arizona Department of Child Safety

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