State discovers flaw in DCS system used to determine children’s removal from homes
State officials have discovered that a flaw in a system used by the Department of Child Safety that has let judges make decisions on removing children from homes without having all the information that they needed.
Darcy Olsen: A new generation of justice for foster kids
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 question new DCS rules
Foster parents worry that new rules drafted by Arizona’s child safety agency could create a harmful environment for foster children and parents alike.
Former DCS head says Brnovich made decision to bar married gay couples from adopting
The former head of the state’s child safety agency said Monday it was Attorney General Mark Brnovich and not he who precipitated a February decision to stop allowing married gay couples to jointly adopt or become foster parents.
Ducey orders agency to allow gays to foster, adopt children
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.
DCS bars gay couples from being foster, adoptive parents
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.
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.
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.
House lets foster parents’ kids skip vaccines
A bill allowing Arizonans to become foster parents even if their own children haven't been immunized is headed to the governor after passing the House following a lengthy debate.