Arizona lawmaker says Department of Child Safety has committed to immediate reforms

PHOENIX — Following a series of high-profile deaths of children who were on the radar of the Department of Child Safety, officials are working to improve their procedures so no more children fall through the cracks.

DCS officials have committed to take immediate action, such as strengthening partnerships with law enforcement agencies and renewing tribal engagement, according to a Thursday announcement from the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus.

Arizona Sen. Carine Werner, a Republican, has been outspoken about the need for improvements to the state’s child welfare system after the deaths of 14-year-old Emily Pike, 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste and 16-year-old Zariah Dodd, who was pregnant at the time of her murder.

She said DCS committed to a series of specific improvements after a stakeholder meeting at the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday. Families, law enforcement, prosecutors, tribal leaders and child welfare advocates spoke up to advocate for children across the state.

“This is a step in the right direction, but it can’t be the last,” Werner said in the announcement. “Arizona children deserve a system that responds quickly, communicates clearly and puts their safety first.”

Last month, Werner launched a task force to review the state’s child safety reporting laws.

Why is DCS trying to improve Arizona’s child welfare system?

Werner said the stakeholder meeting identified specific issues causing serious gaps in oversight, such as:

• Delayed or inadequate communication between Tribal governments and DCS.
• A lack of transparency on DCS’ part about its licensing actions, which are essentially formal responses to providers, such as group homes, that violate licensing requirements.
• Inconsistent collaboration between DCS and law enforcement agencies when children run away from group homes.

Many of these systemic shortcomings were highlighted after Pike’s remains were found Feb. 14 over 100 miles from a Mesa group home she fled. The death of the San Carlos Apache teen inspired Gov. Katie Hobbs to sign legislation to create an alert system for Native Americans who have gone missing in Arizona. It’s called “Emily’s Law” in her honor.

How is DCS improving Arizona’s child welfare system?

To prevent future tragedies, DCS has committed to expanding its outreach efforts to Tribal nations. It will also specifically re-establish standing meetings with the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

DCS will also develop a new method of sharing its licensing actions with Tribes. It will also share group home locations with law enforcement agencies and create standardized documents for law enforcement to use when children run away from group homes.

Another improvement to Arizona’s child welfare system will be the addition of clearer notification rules. Officials will draft new rules about how group homes notify DCS and law enforcement about runaway youths.

“I’m grateful to the families, law enforcement and Tribal leaders who continue to raise their voices,” Werner said. “Their input is driving real solutions, and together we can make lasting change.”

Related

Arizona governor signs ‘Emily's Law’ to trigger alerts when Native Americans go missingTask force launched to review child safety reporting laws after death of 10-year-old known to DCSArizona Gov. Katie Hobbs responds to death of 10-year-old girl known to DCSHobbs signs bill to expand protections for children reporting sexual abuse in Arizona schoolsRetired Gilbert fire captain honored after dying from job-related cancerStorms make way into Valley with strong winds, scattered showers causing power outages