Investigations and OCWI

After DCS completes an investigation, the parent, guardian or custodian involved will receive a letter stating whether or not the information found during the DCS investigation concludes there is reason to believe the allegations of abuse and/or neglect are true; this is referred to as either a “proposed substantiated” or “unsubstantiated” finding. If the finding is proposed substantiated, that means there is reason to believe the abuse/neglect did take place. An unsubstantiated finding means there was insufficient evidence to conclude the abuse or neglect took place. DCS will provide written notification at the conclusion of the investigation. In cases where DCS proposed to substantiate an allegation of abuse or neglect that does not involve DCS filing a dependency petition with the Juvenile Court, the proposed substantiation will be forwarded to the Department of Child Safety (DCS) Protective Services Review Team (PSRT) for review. If PSRT agrees with the decision to substantiate, the person whom the allegation is made against will receive a letter from PSRT with information about their right to an appeal.

The Department shall investigate all Reports containing criminal conduct allegations of child abuse with the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Office of Child Welfare Investigations (OCWI) shall assess, respond to or investigate all Criminal Conduct Reports, which shall be a priority, but not otherwise exercise the authority of a peace officer, pursuant to A.R.S. § 8-471. The investigations are coordinated with law enforcement according to protocols established with the appropriate municipal or county law enforcement agency.

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Protective Services Review Team (PSRT)

The Protective Services Review Team (PSRT) provides notice (letters) to persons not involved with the Juvenile Court who have allegedly abused or neglected a child(ren). The notice informs that person of their right to an appeal prior to entry in the Central Registry. Central Registry means information maintained by the Department of substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect for the purposes of A.R.S. 8-804.

If an appeal is requested, the Department of Child Safety (DCS) Protective Services Review Team (PSRT) will review all information and determine if there is enough evidence to agree with the decision made by DCS. If the PSRT disagrees with the decision made by DCS, the parent, guardian or custodian will be notified of this in writing and the allegation will not be substantiated.

If PSRT agrees with the DCS decision, a hearing will be scheduled for the person with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings. The parent, guardian or custodian will be notified of the hearing date in writing.