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Arizona Department of Child Safety

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Arizona Department of Child Safety
Phone: Child Abuse Hotline 1-888-767-2445
Arizona Department of Child Safety<br> Logo
CLICK to Report Child Abuse or Neglect
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Main menu

  • Home
  • About
    • About DCS
      • Engage
    • Administration
      • Kathryn Ptak, DCS Director
    • Field Offices
    • Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Policy & Procedure
      • DCS Rules & Rulemaking
      • DCS Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
      • DCS Non-Discrimination Policy
      • DCS Limited English Proficiency Policy
    • Procurement & Contracts
    • Strategic Plan
    • Tribal Relations
    • Community Advisory Committee
    • Volunteer
      • Get Involved
      • Community / Volunteer Interest Form
      • Giving Tree
      • Luggage of Love
      • Community Screening Partners
      • FACT Program
    • Contact Us
  • Careers
    • Career Opportunities
      • Child Safety Specialist
      • Child Welfare Investigative Specialist (OCWI)
      • Search All Positions
    • We Are Compassioneers
  • News & Reports
    • News Releases
    • DCS Reports
    • Performance Measures
      • DCS Monthly / Semi-Annual Report
    • Child Fatalities / Near Fatalities
    • Process for Release of Info
    • Settlement - Tinsley v. Faust
  • Parents
    • Parent Guide
    • Parents Rights
    • Parent Advisory Collaborative
  • Youth in Care
    • Foster Youth Bill of Rights
    • Medical and Behavioral Health Services
    • Resources for Youth
    • Young Adult Program
    • Rights for Children in Out-of-Home Care, CSO-3121
    • Victims' Rights
    • Self-Advocacy Resources
    • Guardian Ad Litem Survey
  • Foster & Adoption
    • Foster Care
      • Start the Journey! Orientation
      • Learn More
      • Kinship Support Services
      • Therapeutic Foster Care
      • Licensing Agencies
      • Information Events
      • Kinship Resources
      • Go-to Guide
      • Foster & Kinship FAQ's
    • Adoption
      • Adoption Stories
    • Caregiver Training
    • Shared Parenting
    • Children's Heart Gallery
    • Search AdoptUSKids
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Request DCS Information
    • Complaint or Disagreement
      • Ombudsman Complaint Form
    • DCS Forms
    • DCS Brochures & Flyers
  • Services
    • Medical and Behavioral Health Services
      • For Members
      • For Providers
      • Health and Wellness
      • News and Updates
      • Contact CHP
      • Language and Translation
    • DCS Service Array
      • Service Array Materials
    • Prevention
      • Safe Sleep
      • Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T.
      • Healthy Families Arizona
      • Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils
      • Resources for Parents
      • Back-To-School Resources and Tips for Parents
    • Investigations and OCWI
      • Joint Investigation Protocol
    • Office of Licensing & Regulation (OLR)
    • Young Adult
      • Young Adult Program
      • Young Adult Resources
      • Extended Foster Care
      • Successful Transition to Adulthood
      • Education
    • Victims' Rights
  • Report Child Abuse
    • Child Abuse Hotline
    • Mandated Reporter Overview Training
    • Safe Haven Newborn
    • SB1114 - Child Abuse Hotline Required Posting
  • Home
  • Services
  • Investigations and OCWI

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.

Learn More:

  • Review joint investigation protocols here
  • Read more about DCS Investigations here

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.

Services

  • Medical and Behavioral Health Services
    • For Members
    • For Providers
    • Health and Wellness
    • News and Updates
    • Contact CHP
    • Language and Translation
  • DCS Service Array
    • Service Array Materials
  • Prevention
    • Safe Sleep
    • Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T.
    • Healthy Families Arizona
    • Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils
    • Resources for Parents
    • Back-To-School Resources and Tips for Parents
  • Investigations and OCWI
    • Joint Investigation Protocol
  • Office of Licensing & Regulation (OLR)
  • Young Adult
    • Young Adult Program
    • Young Adult Resources
    • Extended Foster Care
    • Successful Transition to Adulthood
    • Education
  • Victims' Rights
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