Brewer vetoes money for external audit of CPS, cites upcoming special session
Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed legislation calling for an external audit of Arizona’s beleaguered Child Protective Services, but called for the issue to be a part of discussion in an upcoming special session focusing on child safety.
Sine die: 2014 Legislature crawls to a close, but special session looms
Though debate lingered on far longer than most lawmakers had hoped, the Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die at 1:46 a.m. Thursday, ending a sometimes tumultuous 101-day legislative session with work left on the table.
Botched cases update set for CPS oversight panel
The Arizona Legislature's child protective services oversight committee on Monday is set to hear an update on efforts to investigate more than 6,500 ignored abuse and neglect reports.
Quality assurance staff reportedly prevented CPS cases from being investigated
Some Child Protective Services workers believed to have been involved in preventing thousands of abuse reports from being investigated also took part in a new quality assurance review of the cases in recent weeks.
CPS forum – Messages offer a ray of hope that could lead to reforms
Speakers at a Dec. 3 CPS Community Forum stepped to the microphone three minutes at a time for two hours to deliver old news: Foster parents get no respect, caseworkers are overworked and underpaid, and the Legislature is tight-fisted.
Proposals for fixing CPS emerge
Authorities search for new ideas in the face of an ongoing crisis
Some lawmakers say Child Protective Services needs more money. Others say it should become its own agency, separate from the Department of Economic Security. Another cautions against “reactionary legislation” that won’t really solve anything.
History repeats itself with caseload woes at CPS
Ten years ago this week, Arizona lawmakers were on the verge of approving a law to strengthen Child Protective Services and ensure the agency investigates all cases of neglect and abuse.
‘Heartbreaking, unconscionable’
CPS workers close out thousands of cases before they are investigated
Thousands of uninvestigated CPS cases traced to brief cost-saving measure in 2009
A brief Child Protective Services cost-saving measure that was supposed to end after five days in December 2009 has led to the failure to investigate thousands of cases of alleged child abuse, an official testified today.
Lesko to challenge Murphy in LD21, senator says he is “disappointed and hurt”
Rep. Debbie Lesko will challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Murphy in Legislative District 21, citing concerns that his ongoing “personal struggles” could cost the GOP a seat in the Arizona Senate.
Hot contests
Early voting in the 2014 primary begins in nine months, and candidates are already firing up their campaigns.
Marital benefits
Gay marriage would bring stability to gay families, prosperity to Arizona, proponents say