Even after seven years as a foster parent, Darcy Olsen still gets teary eyed talking about the children who have come into her life. Not just for those the system has failed but also for the success stories.

Foster parents worry that new rules drafted by Arizona’s child safety agency could create a harmful environment for foster children and parents alike.

Gov. Doug Ducey attributed his lack of information about a change in policy at the Department of Child Safety, which in February barred married same-sex couples from jointly fostering or adopting children, to the transition between ousted Director Charles Flanagan and his successor, Greg McKay.

Gov. Doug Ducey ordered the Department of Child Safety to allow married same-sex couples to jointly house foster children and adopt. Ducey ordered the policy change in response to an Arizona Capitol Times report that DCS had quietly reversed a policy that had allowed married same-sex couples to jointly adopt or provide foster care.

The Department of Child Safety quietly reversed a policy in February that allowed married same-sex couples to jointly serve as foster parents or adopt from the more than 16,000 children under the state’s care, even though federal courts have declared Arizona’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Children's advocacy groups on Tuesday sued the state of Arizona, claiming it violated the civil rights of nearly 17,000 children in its foster care system by exposing them to possible harm.

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.

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.

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.

Max Ashton is a senior at Brophy College Preparatory with a 4.0 grade point average. He is also blind.