Safeguarding Rights

Arizona state law gives Department of Child Safety (DCS) the authority to protect and to aid children who are at risk in their own homes. These same laws provide safeguards for the rights of children and their parents. Law enforcement officers and DCS specialists may remove a child from the parents if a child is suffering or will imminently suffer abuse or neglect, or for a medical or psychological examination to determine if the child has been abused or neglected. Parents whose children have been removed from the home are given a Temporary Custody Notice within six hours. If a dependency petition is filed, parents are notified of the date, time and location court will review the temporary custody of their children. Children and parents have the right to receive services to promote timely reunification as a family.