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Details of new child protection agency revealed in draft of bill
A new department of child protection may grant police powers to staff investigating child fatalities and create a wide-ranging, easily accessible database of information relating to children’s safety and welfare.
Senate panel advances spending bills, including $6.86 million for child welfare
The bulk of the funding, $6.86 million, would be used to hire caseworkers and other child welfare aids in an effort to resolve the backlog of 6,554 cases that went uninvestigated by Child Protective Service, a gross oversight that caused Gov. Jan Brewer to abolish the agency at the outset of the 2014 Legislative Session in favor of a new department that reports directly to the Ninth Floor.
Biggs looks ahead to a calmer legislative session
Having been rolled by Gov. Jan Brewer and a coalition of Democrats and Republicans who voted for Medicaid expansion in 2013, Senate President Andy Biggs looks ahead for a hopefully calmer legislative session in 2014, one that will allow the president to take a larger role in budget negotiations and the course of the Senate than during his first year as the head of the chamber.
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.
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.
Governor gives vote of confidence to DES director
Gov. Jan Brewer voiced her confidence in DES Director Clarence Carter today as she announced a special team to oversee the investigation of thousands of child abuse cases CPS disregarded under his watch.
Special session needed now to deal with ignored child abuse cases
The Legislature has the authority, and indeed the responsibility, to protect our children. We cannot wait for another investigation to be completed before we act. We must do it now.
Arizona abuse cases to be reviewed by next week
An Arizona government official says his department will review more than 6,000 unexamined reports of child abuse and neglect by Dec. 2.
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.
