http://azgovernor.gov/cps/documents/action_plan3.pdf
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Governor Janet Napolitano
Action Plan for Reform of Arizona’s
Child Protection System
September 30, 2003
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STATE OF ARIZONA
JANET NAPOLITANO OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR MAIN PHONE: 602-542-4331
GOVERNOR 1700 WEST WASHINGTON STREET, PHOENIX, AZ 85007 FACSIMILE: 602-542-7601
September 30, 2003
Dear Fellow Arizonans:
The system for protecting Arizona’s children from abuse and neglect, which has been falling apart for years due to
poor design and chronic under-funding, is in critical need of repair. Recent tragedies involving drug-endangered
infants, families with a history of chronic neglect, and sexual exploitation of minors, underscore the urgency for
reform. While no government agency or person can prevent every parent or caretaker from harming his or her child,
collectively we can do much better for our children and families.
In January, I created the Advisory Commission on CPS Reform to make recommendations on how Arizona can better
carry out its mission of serving the best interests of children, particularly those most in need of protection. I
encouraged this Commission to make recommendations that focused on improved outcomes for the safety,
permanency and well being of our children. Over the past few months, this Commission, comprised of legislators,
representatives from the courts, advocates, community providers, agency directors, and law enforcement has
developed recommendations on numerous issues related to child protection and child welfare.
In addition, the full Commission formed seven subcommittees that addressed specific issues related to reports and
investigations, records and hearings, juvenile justice, overall CPS structure, health care, including behavioral health,
education, and CPS and the community. The membership of these groups included many community participants
that play key roles in children’s lives, such as foster and adoptive parents, advocates, mentors and other volunteers.
More than 80 meetings were held and over 260 people from across the state participated.
Their work has now been completed and more than 200 recommendations from both the Commission and
subcommittees have been submitted. The recommendations cover areas from the prevention of child abuse to
adoption and other permanency options. The final Report provides detailed recommendations on how to improve the
delivery of services to children and families from all state agencies and the community. I thank them for their hard
work and dedication to developing such a detailed and comprehensive set of recommendations.
In August, I hired David Berns to be the new Director of the Department of Economic Security, the agency
responsible for Child Protective Services. Mr. Berns recently served as the Director of the El Paso County
Department of Human Services in Colorado and prior to that as the Director of the Office of Children’s Services for
Michigan’s child welfare agency. He brings to Arizona a national reputation for finding innovative ways to deliver
excellent human services in highly cost-effective ways.
Over the past month, I have hosted three public forums to seek more input into the reforms necessary to improve
child protection and child welfare. DES Director Berns was also there to listen to community concerns. More than 600
people attended these hearings and 120 offered testimony. My office has also received hundreds of written
comments, which Mr. Berns and I have read, offering common sense solutions to improve the CPS system.
I have listened to the recommendations and comments and am now pleased to respond with my detailed Action Plan.
The Action Plan for Reform of Arizona’s Child Protection System sets forth my priorities for immediately addressing
the problems within the CPS system and the challenges faced by families in accessing child welfare services. A
summary of the Plan, with the required changes and expected time frames, is set forth at pages 1, 2 and 3. The full
Action Plan follows and addresses six areas: (1) ensuring a multi-disciplinary response to reports of abuse and
neglect; (2) preventing child abuse and neglect; (3) clarifying the mission and role of CPS; (4) ensuring effective
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delivery of services to children and families; (5) providing adequate support for children and families served by the
system as well as those who provide services; and (6) increasing community involvement. Each of these areas is
equally important to effective system reform and, therefore, should not be considered as ranked in order of priority.
Also, the many detailed recommendations of the Commission and subcommittees will not be lost; wherever possible
those ideas will be implemented as part of carrying out this Action Plan.
Change for the simple sake of change is not appropriate. Each change is focused on improved outcomes as to child
safety and child and family well being. We must ask as a result of our efforts, are children safer? Are families
provided services more effectively and efficiently? Are fewer families in need of assistance from the child protection
system? Page 12 of the Action Plan identifies specific indicators of improvement in Arizona’s child welfare system,
which will serve as a basis for tracking, evaluating and, as appropriate, adjusting our efforts to reform the system.
CPS must have sufficient funding to operate the full range of successful and necessary child welfare and protection
programs. Arizona’s legislature must finally commit to fund what has become a chronically neglected child welfare
agency. As I speak, CPS caseworkers lack even the basic tools to do their jobs adequately – car seats for
transporting children and cell phones for when they are conducting investigations. But most troubling are the heavy
caseloads our CPS caseworkers are facing today. We need to bring these caseloads down so that each child is given
the time he or she deserves and so that a child in an unsafe condition is not overlooked.
For years CPS has received less funding than was required to meet the needs of Arizona’s children. This year was
no exception: just to be able to continue providing services at the current levels, CPS requires a supplemental
appropriation of $27 million. To bring the caseloads to national standards and ensure that all reports of abuse and
neglect are investigated, an additional $8.5 million is needed.
The need for this increase should not come as a surprise. For the past several years, the State Foster Care Review
Board has recognized the chronic lack of funding in its annual reports. Earlier this year the Maricopa County
Attorney’s Office released a report on the CPS system, In Harm’s Way, which also illustrates this State’s historic lack
of funding with more than a dozen of its recommendations requiring a significant funding increase to effectively
protect children.
Many of the action steps set forth in the Action Plan will result in immediate improvements to the child protection
system. I recognize, however, that not all of the problems are quick fixes. Some steps, particularly those calling for
increased funding and changes to existing law, will take some time to complete and require the support of our
legislature. One thing is certain – we cannot wait to implement these recommended changes in stages. We must
begin to implement all of them now.
Concrete reform of the child protection system must be engineered by those individuals who do the direct, day to day
work with the children and families, including CPS case managers and supervisors, law enforcement officials, foster
and adoptive families, and community based providers. These critical partners must be an integral part of each action
set forth in my Plan. Moreover, as already demonstrated by the tremendous interest Arizonans have shown in this
process, our local communities and neighborhoods should also be key players in this effort. I encourage all of you to
look for ways you can personally contribute to improving the lives of Arizona’s children and families.
Yours very truly,
Governor Janet Napolitano
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Summary of Action Plan
for the Reform of Arizona’s Child Protection System
ACTION CHANGE(S) REQUIRED TIME FRAME
Implement a Multi-Disciplinary Response to Reports of Abuse and Neglect
Require Joint Investigation by CPS and Law Enforcement of All Amend Law* Legislation proposed October 2003
Reports of Felony Abuse and Neglect
Require Referral by Law Enforcement of Criminal Abuse Cases to Amend Law* Legislation proposed October 2003
County Attorney for Prosecution and Review of Those Cases by
County Attorney within 90 days
Expand Use of Arizona’s Child Advocacy Centers Identify Funding Sources Initial identification by October 2004
Co-Locate Law Enforcement, Behavioral Health, and Domestic New Policy and Practice Initial sites operating by March 2004
Violence Professionals in CPS Offices
Require CPS to Investigate all Reports of Abuse and Neglect Allocate Funding Initial commitment made by
legislature October 2003
Require Use of Professional Risk Assessment Tool by CPS Case Revise CPS Policy Tool implemented beginning in
Managers January 2004
Standardize the Reporting Process for Mandatory Reporters Revise CPS Policy New process operating by March
2004
Develop a Statewide Prevention System
Clarify Mission and Role of Child Protective Services
Expand Healthy Families Arizona Allocate Funding Legislation proposed January 2004.
Amend Law* Additional commitment made by
legislature July 2004
Develop a Model for Addressing Issues of Safety, Poverty and New Policy and Practice Policies operating by March 2004
Economic Security for Children and Families
Support Intervention Strategies for Older Children Evaluate Funding Priorities Evaluation to begin January 2004
Inventory Prevention Programs to Identify Unmet Need and None Inventory Created by March 2004
Strengthen Existing Services
Amend Definition of Child Protective Services to Clarify Role Amend Law* Legislation proposed October 2003
Establish Alcohol and Drug Abuse as a Factor in Determining Child Amend Law Legislation proposed October 2003
Abuse/Neglect and Develop Medical Protocols to Identify and request for national protocol
Substance Exposed Newborns and Treat Appropriately already submitted
Modify the Legal Standards for Substantiating Abuse/Neglect and Amend Law* Legislation proposed October 2003
Allow Central Registry to Be Checked for Employment Purposes
*Changes required would address Arizona Revised Statutes and would require conforming rules, changes to policy and training.
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Summary of Action Plan
for the Reform of Arizona’s Child Protection System
ACTION CHANGE(S) REQUIRED TIME FRAME
Deliver Timely, Effective Services to Children and Families
Provide Adequate Support for Both Children and Families Served by the System and Those Who Provide Services
Ensure Immediate Behavioral Health Assessments of Children Revise BHS Policy Policy effective by September
Who Have Been Removed from Their Homes 2003
Ensure Immediate Delivery of Health Care and Behavioral Health New Policies and Practice New policies operating by July
Care to Children Involved with CPS 2004
Maximize Draw Down of Federal Funds and Apply for All Available Enhanced Policy and New policies operating by March
Grants Practice 2004
Ensure Delivery of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services by Enhanced Policy and New policies operating by July
Replicating the Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. Model Practice 2004
Amend Education Laws to Meet Needs of Children in the CPS Amend Law* Legislation proposed January
System 2004
Rewrite Confidentiality Laws To Allow Information to be Shared Amend Law* Legislation proposed by October
with Those Having a Legitimate Interest 2003
Manage DES to Improve Access to All Services and Co-locate New DES Practice Initial sites operating by July 2004
Community Partners, Including Domestic Violence Specialists and
Faith-Based Organizations, within the Agency
Strengthen DES Local Advisory Boards By Creating Community New DES Practice Plans to be written by July 2004
Network Teams to Provide for Appropriate Services in Local
Communities
Reduce CPS Caseloads to Match National Standards So Allocate Funding Initial commitment made by
Investigations and Appropriate Follow-up Can Be Accomplished legislature October 2003
Ensure Appropriate Classification and Support of CPS Case Allocate Funding Initial commitment made by
Managers legislature October 2003
Provide Supportive Services for CPS Case Managers to Retain a Enhanced Policy and New policies operating by July
Professional Workforce and Recruit New Workers Practice 2004
Revise and Expand Training Opportunities for Case Managers, Enhanced Policy and New policies operating by July
Supervisors and Related Staff Practice 2004
Increase Reimbursement Rates for Foster Parents Allocate Funding Initial commitment made by
legislature July 2004
Revise the Foster Care System to Retain Quality Foster Families Enhanced CPS Policy and New policies operating and
and Recruit More Families Meeting Cultural and Other Special Practice recruitment efforts launched by
Needs of Children March 2004
Create Alternatives to Filing a Formal Dependency Case That New Law* Legislation proposed by January
Require Families to Participate in Services 2004
Develop Intensive Family Reunification Services Enhanced CPS Practice New practice identified by
October 2004
Create Mentoring Program for Foster Youth Transitioning into Enhanced CPS Policy and New policies operating by
Adulthood Practice January 2004
Stabilize Placements and Enhance Systems of Support to Enhanced CPS Policy and Policies operating by March 2004
Maintain Permanent Homes Practice
Respect Kinship Placements and Involve Them More in Decision- Enhanced Policy and Policies operating by March 2004
making for the Child and Family Practice
*Changes required would address Arizona Revised Statutes and would require conforming rules, changes to policy and training.
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Summary of Action Plan
for the Reform of Arizona’s Child Protection System
ACTION CHANGE(S) REQUIRED TIME FRAME
Increase Community Involvement in the Child Welfare System
Expand Role of Community Volunteers, Including Faith-Based New CPS Policy and Policies operating by March 2004
Organizations Practice
Support Consumer Involvement in Design and Oversight of the CPS Enhanced CPS Policy and Policies operating by January
System and Improve Response to All Constituents, Including Practice 2004
Awareness of the Ombudsman Office
Organize a State Foster Youth Advisory Board and Ensure They Appoint Board Board operating by January 2004
Have A Voice in Implementing Changes to the System
Partner with National Groups to Implement State of the Art Practices Enhanced CPS Policy and Establish initial partnerships by
Shown to Improve Safety, Permanency and Well-being Practice January 2004
Appoint an Advisory Committee Responsible for Oversight of the Appoint Committee Committee appointed by
Implementation of This Action Plan November 2003
Support Process for Continued Public Input New Practice Ongoing
Improve Public Awareness and Education about CPS New Policies and Practice Policies operating by January
2004
Expand Open Hearing Pilot to Rural Locations Amend Law* Legislation proposed by October
2003
Keep Members of the Public Informed as to Progress of Reform New Practice Updates provided regularly
*Changes required would address Arizona Revised Statutes and would require conforming rules, changes to policy and training.
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Create a Multi-Disciplinary Response to Reports of Abuse and Neglect
Arizona must adopt a response system, that provides severe abuse and neglect situations. By bringing
for the joint investigation of CPS and law enforcement together all relevant disciplines at one time, these
on the most serious, high risk cases of child abuse and Centers reduce the need for multiple interviews that
neglect and appropriate coordination of CPS and may re-traumatize and re-victimize the child and provide
community based providers on lower risk cases. We a forum for quickly determining what services a child
must develop investigative processes that are multi- and family needs. We must identify additional funding
disciplinary, incorporating as appropriate other sources for these centers through cities, counties, and
professions such as medical and behavioral health federal grant opportunities with the goal of expanding
personnel and domestic violence specialists. the number of cases these Advocacy Centers serve
and opening new centers in areas that are not currently
Action 1.0: Require Joint Investigations by CPS and supported by one.
Law Enforcement.
I will propose legislation in the special session that Action 1.3: Co-Locate Law Enforcement, Behavioral
requires joint investigations by CPS investigators and Health, and Domestic Violence Professionals in
law enforcement officers on all reports where the CPS Offices.
allegation if true would constitute felony abuse or To further the ability for CPS and law enforcement
neglect. This legislation will require that a written agencies to do joint investigations, I am inviting local
interagency protocol be implemented within 90 days in law enforcement agencies to co-locate law enforcement
each county by the county attorney, law enforcement officers in designated CPS investigative offices,
agencies, and CPS investigative offices in that region. particularly in urban areas that are not adequately
Each protocol must set forth specific procedures for served by a Child Advocacy Center. I am also
joint investigations, including a simple process for extending the invitation to behavioral health
notification of reports, standards for investigating professionals and domestic violence specialists.
specific types of abuse and neglect (including response
timelines), provisions for information sharing, and Action 1.4: Require CPS to Investigate all Reports of
directions for coordinating with other professional Abuse and Neglect.
disciplines. These protocols must be reviewed annually CPS must ensure that an appropriate safety
in cooperation with the Governor’s Children’s Justice assessment has been conducted on all reports of
Task Force. This legislation must also mandate multi- potential abuse and neglect, including those
disciplinary training of both professionals and require categorized as low risk. To achieve this, l will seek
enhanced training of law enforcement officials in an additional state general funding in the special session in
understanding of CPS policies and practices and the amount of $3,773,000, which when combined with
enhanced training of CPS investigators in forensic available federal dollars will fund 142 additional CPS
interviewing and processes. This legislation will help investigators and staff. These additional investigators
ensure the collection of evidence in a coordinated, will allow CPS to be the first responder on all reports in
timely manner to all reports of potential criminal abuse. order to investigate whether children are safe and
assess the level of risk to the children. When CPS
Action 1.1: Require Referral of Criminal Abuse to intervention is required due to safety issues for the
County Attorney for Prosecution. child, services to reduce future risk shall be specified in
I will propose legislation in the special session that a family service plan that is developed to the extent
requires law enforcement agencies to refer all cases for possible with input from the family. The plan shall be
which there is probable cause to believe that criminal individualized for each member of the family and may
abuse has occurred to county attorney officials for involve an array of services including, but not limited to,
prosecution. County attorney officials will be required to out of home placement; intensive in home services,
review each of those cases and report back to the law court ordered community or agency interventions, or
enforcement agency and CPS as to the disposition of non-court ordered services agreed to by CPS and the
that referral within 90 days. family. Services may be provided directly by CPS staff,
by contracted providers, by other agencies or
Action 1.2: Expand Use of Arizona’s Child community resources, or arranged and paid for directly
Advocacy Centers. by the family. Inability to arrange required, non-court
There are currently eleven child advocacy centers in ordered services, refusal of such services or failure to
Arizona, which co-locate key disciplines such as CPS, comply with non-court ordered services may be reason
law enforcement, prosecutors, medical personnel, to seek court intervention. If safety issues are of such
psychologists, and domestic violence specialists, under low risk that services can be voluntary or can be
one roof who share responsibility for responding to rejected by the family, CPS may make referrals to
available community resources.
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Create a Multi-Disciplinary Response to Reports of Abuse and Neglect
Action 1.5: Require Use of Professional Risk Action 1.6: Standardize the Reporting Process for
Assessment Tool. Mandatory Reporters.
CPS is developing, in coordination with national Arizona law requires doctors, school personnel and
consultants, a new tool for assessing risk to a child, certain other professionals to report abuse and neglect
which will be implemented statewide beginning in to CPS. While these reporters may be extensively
Maricopa County in January 2004. This tool will assist involved in the family's life, there is no standardized
CPS case managers in providing an appropriate service process or tool for making the report, nor a process for
delivery response based on the level of risk to the child, informing the mandatory reporter that an investigation
including the severity, chronicity, and immediacy of risk, has been completed or of its results. I have directed
rather than a response focused solely on a specific CPS to work with a team of representatives from the
incident of child abuse or neglect. professions who are mandated reporters to design a
standardized process, including training, and begin its
use by March 2004.
Develop Statewide Prevention System
Reforming the child welfare system, requires an entire per year or less is 22 times more likely to be in the child
rethinking of how and when services are delivered to welfare system as a family with an income of $30,000
children and families. Services must be provided to per year or more. DES deals with issues of poverty in
families who may be at risk of child maltreatment before many of its program areas but often these services are
that abuse or neglect ever occurs and outside of the not readily available to high risk or vulnerable families.
stigma that is often associated with the child protection DES Director David Berns developed approaches in his
system. Moreover, since poverty can be a key previous positions that transformed the economic
contributing factor to child abuse and neglect, we must support programs into the primary prevention and early
connect families with child care, employment intervention programs for at risk families. Mr. Berns’
opportunities and nutritional assistance as soon as main charge is to work with his staff and with the
those needs are identified. Unfortunately, Arizona’s communities throughout Arizona to develop our own
prevention programs serve only a fraction of the model for addressing issues of safety, poverty and
children and families that could benefit from prevention economic security for all children and families in our
services. The Legislature must recognize that these state. The resources of the entire Department of
programs are the most cost effective means of Economic Security must be invested in the safety and
improving outcomes for Arizona’s children and families well being of children and their families.
and contribute state dollars accordingly.
Action 2.2: Support Intervention Strategies for
Action 2.0: Expand Healthy Families Arizona. Older Children
To begin the shift to a statewide prevention system, in I have directed the Juvenile Justice Commission,
the 2004 legislative session, I will propose that funding responsible for funding efforts aimed at improving the
for Healthy Families Arizona be doubled. This nationally juvenile justice system, to develop strategies for linking
recognized program provides a statewide system of delinquency prevention efforts and child welfare reform.
home visitation services for families with newborns that This includes advising policies concerning children who
builds on family strengths, promotes health, optimizes are dual wards of the State and exploring how to better
child development, and prevents child abuse and coordinate state and federal funding to serve these
neglect. I also will propose legislation to amend the law children.
to allow the Healthy Families program to serve families
that may have a prior substantiated report of abuse or Action 2.3: Inventory Prevention Programs to
neglect and to provide services during pregnancy. Identify Unmet Need and Strengthen Existing
Services
Action 2.1: Develop a Model for Addressing Issues I have directed staff in my office to work with the
of Safety, Poverty and Economic Security for All members of my Children’s Cabinet to create an
Children and Families. inventory of all prevention programs for children and
The vast majority of families in the child welfare system families, particularly those funded through federal or
have significant economic problems. The National private grants, and identify how these programs may be
Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect published strengthened by pulling the programs and dollars
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together, where appropriate.
(1996) states that a family with an income of $15,000
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Clarify Mission and Role of Child Protective Services
Arizona must give clear direction to CPS investigators parent, guardian or custodian has abused and/or
and case managers, law enforcement officials, and neglected a child, including newborns and infants. I
mandatory professional reporters - as well as to the have also directed CPS to work with Arizona’s medical
community - regarding the role of Child Protective organizations, including hospitals, to develop medical
Services. Current laws must be modified to be sure the protocols to identify substance-exposed newborns in
message is consistent. order to provide adequate care and safety for these
particular children at risk. Following the work of the
Action 3.0: Clarify Role of CPS. Governor’s Commission, a request for a national
I will propose legislation in the special session to amend protocol has already been made to the American
the definition of Child Protective Services in A.R.S. Academy of Pediatrics by its Arizona Chapter.
section 8-801 to reflect that the mission of CPS is to
assess the safety of children and intervene to protect Action 3.2: Modify the Legal Standards for
children from harm. This definition must emphasize the Substantiating Reports of Abuse or Neglect.
role of CPS in ensuring the ongoing best interests, I will propose legislation in the special session to modify
safety and protection of a child from foreseeable the legal standards for substantiating reports of abuse
danger, including the coordination of services to or neglect. This legislation will provide for a legal
strengthen the family unit and prevent, intervene and standard (probable cause) in finding that a child has
treat child abuse and neglect. been abused or neglected and a higher standard
(preponderance of the evidence) in actually naming the
Action 3.1: Establish Substance Abuse As A Factor perpetrator that caused the abuse or neglect and
in Determining Abuse/Neglect and Develop Medical entering that person’s name on a centralized registry.
Protocols For Substance Exposed Newborns. This higher standard will allow for the centralized
I will propose legislation in the special session to amend registry to be checked for state agency licensing,
the definitions of abuse/ neglect in A.R.S. section 8-201 contracting and employment in both the public and
to clarify that alcohol and drug abuse is a factor that private sector when a person applies to work directly
must be considered by CPS in determining whether a with children.
Deliver Timely, Effective Services to Children and Families
Arizona must transform its currently isolated child assessments. Last month, Behavioral Health Services
welfare system into an integrated system, which implemented a new policy that requires its contract
provides timely, effective services that are driven by the providers to respond to a request from CPS for an initial
needs of each child and family. Child welfare clients assessment of the child within 24 hours of being notified
often require a multi-agency system response to meet that a child has been removed from his or her home.
their needs. Last January, I created the Children’s Previously, it took the providers as long as 30 days to
Cabinet, made up of (1) directors from state agencies respond.
that serve children, including DES, the Department of
Health Services (DHS), AHCCCS (the Medicaid Action 4.1: Ensure Immediate Delivery of Health
agency) and the Arizona Department of Juvenile Care and Behavioral Health Care to Children
Corrections (ADJC), (2) representatives from the court, Involved with CPS.
and (3) the Department of Education, to improve I have instructed the Directors of the four agencies
delivery of services to Arizona’s children and families. responsible for delivering health care to children in CPS
Each of these agency heads must instruct their staff to care - DES, DHS, AHCCCS and ADJC - to make
deliver timely, accessible services across the agencies delivery of these services to this vulnerable population a
for children involved in the CPS system that recognize top priority. Specifically, I have directed DES and
the rich cultural diversity of this state (including twenty- AHCCCS to maximize Medicaid reimbursements for
one federally recognized Indian Tribes), the children in the foster care system; the goal is to
disproportionate representation of children of color in increase the percentage of children who qualify from
the foster care system, and the challenges presented 80% to the 90%. DES and AHCCCS must ensure that
by Arizona’s geographic expanse. health care services for children who come into CPS
care with an existing AHCCCS health plan are not
Action 4.0: Ensure Immediate Behavioral Health disrupted. Working with the county juvenile probation
Assessments of Children Who Have Been Removed departments, the agencies must address the health
from Their Homes. care needs of children in both the CPS and juvenile
Children who have been removed from their homes justice system. I have also instructed DES and DHS to
must have access to timely behavioral health expand current efforts to co-locate in designated CPS
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Deliver Timely, Effective Services to Children and Families (cont)
offices behavioral health professionals, particularly serve as a surrogate parent (to help a child receive
those with authority to make decisions regarding what special education services) when a child is involved
services can be provided. Contracts with networks that with the CPS system.
provide behavioral health services must require that
providers have an understanding of the unique service Action 4.5: Rewrite Confidentiality Laws So All
needs of children in foster care. Information Can Be Shared With Those Having a
Legitimate Interest.
Action 4.2: Maximize Draw Down of Federal Funds I will propose legislation in the special session to amend
and Apply for All Available Grants. state laws regarding confidentiality of CPS records,
I have instructed DES, DHS, AHCCCS and ADJC to which are currently confusing, complicated, and too
determine how Arizona can maximize the draw down of restrictive. The legislation will ensure that records and
non-capped, federal funds, including increasing the information are promptly shared in a safe and
federal financial participation for services to children responsible manner with persons having a legitimate
who are in both the CPS and delinquency systems. This need for the information, including foster families,
includes active participation of the agency directors at providers, educators, and other state agencies.
the national level regarding proposed improvements to
the current federal financing mechanisms governing Action 4.6: Manage DES To Improve Access to All
foster care. There are also numerous grant Services and Co-Locate Community Partners Within
opportunities that have in the past been overlooked by the Agency.
this state. I recently organized the Federal Interagency I have directed DES to combine different programs in
Grant Team to provide a forum for coordinating across the same office, such as CPS, employment services,
state agencies efforts to identify and apply for various child care services, and programs for developmentally
grant opportunities, including those applicable to child disabled children, and create cross-functional positions
welfare. DES will also pursue a waiver of the federal to allow clients to have a single point of contact for all
foster care funding (Title IV-E) to draw down additional DES programs and services. Several major sites will be
federal support for several of these initiatives. fully integrated by July 2004. I have also directed DES
to expand the co-location of other child welfare services
Action 4.3: Improve Delivery of Alcohol and and community providers in its offices, including
Substance Abuse Services By Replicating the domestic violence specialists and representatives from
Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. Model. faith-based organizations, to provide immediate access
I have directed DES and DHS to improve the delivery of to these community partners and better opportunities
alcohol and drug abuse services to families who are in for one-stop approaches.
the CPS system. Using the Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T.
program as a model, I have instructed the agencies to Action 4.7: Strengthen DES Local Advisory Boards
identify ways to redirect existing programs and dollars to Provide for Appropriate Services in Local
to ensure that families are receiving the most effective Communities.
alcohol and substance abuse treatment available. I have instructed DES to create “Community Network
Arizona Families F.I.R.S.T. provides a continuum of Teams” throughout the state; these teams must submit
community-based, family-centered substance abuse a written plan by July 2004 to the DES Director
treatment services for parents reported to CPS whose identifying existing services, resources and family
substance abuse has been identified as a significant supports within that community (including all gaps in
barrier to maintaining or reunifying the family. In those services) and describing how that community
addition to core substance abuse treatment and proposes to deliver more services and better support for
recovery services, other essential support services are children, including protocols for the sharing of
provided to assist the entire family in recovery. information. These teams will be built upon existing
DES Local Advisory Boards and must include
Action 4.4: Amend the Education Laws to Meet the representatives from state agencies, community
Needs of Children in the CPS System. providers, families, educators, tribes, courts, victim
I will propose legislation in the 2004 regular session to advocates (including domestic violence specialists),
meet the educational needs of children who are in the faith-based and philanthropic organizations, and
child protection system. Traditionally, education has not businesses. These teams must identify existing
been coordinated in the child welfare system. The services in local communities that are currently
legislation will eliminate barriers that currently prevent underutilized by the child welfare system and look to
or delay exchange of school records and disrupt blend funds wherever possible not only to broaden and
delivery of consistent school instruction to children who strengthen the array of services in local communities,
are in the care of CPS. This legislation will clarify and but to ensure that all resources are used efficiently.
expand the education laws governing who may legally
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Provide Adequate Support for Both Children and Families Served by the
System and Those Who Provide Services
There are many challenges facing those that provide assistance programs to help handle job related stress
support to the CPS System, including CPS investigators and the emotional nature of their work. CPS will
and case managers carrying caseloads well above the continue to investigate reasons for case manager
national standards without the resources to do their turnover, research best practices for enhancing
jobs, a lack of available foster homes, and inadequate retention and continuously monitor and improve
support systems for foster families, relative placements, performance in this vital area.
and group homes as well as children in the foster care
system. The effect of turnover in these support groups Action 5.3: Revise and Expand Training
often paralyzes an already fragmented system that Opportunities for Case Managers, Supervisors and
does not respond adequately or timely to the needs of Related Staff.
children and their families. We must recognize the I have directed CPS to revise its training procedures for
valuable contributions of each of these supports and do case managers, supervisors and related staff. CPS
whatever is necessary to keep them as partners in our must provide quality training for new and existing staff,
child welfare system, including adequate which includes quality supervision and practical
reimbursements, appropriate assistance and open classroom exercises, such as use of technology,
communication. preparation of court reports, processes for referrals and
interviewing skills. I have directed CPS to expand its
Action 5.0: Reduce CPS Caseloads to Match mentoring program to match new and experienced
National Standards So Investigations and managers, to revise its Child Welfare Training Institute
Appropriate Follow-up Can Be Accomplished. to provide additional practical skills, and to require all
I am requesting additional state general funding in the CPS staff to receive at least 24 hours of training
special session in the amount of $1,953,500, which annually after the first year of employment. Special
when combined with federal dollars will fund 93 emphasis must be given to improving supervisory skills
additional staff to meet Child Welfare League of to assure consistent implementation of training and
America caseload standards: one caseworker for 12 practice statewide. Supervisors must know the training
CPS investigations each month; one caseworker for 15 content and reinforce the knowledge, skills and abilities
children in out of home care; and one caseworker for 17 in daily practice. To accomplish this, I have instructed
cases receiving in home services. The CWLA standards CPS to ensure the consistent delivery of the supervisor
are the most relevant and accepted criteria currently core curriculum and develop a continuing education
available. These funds will also ensure that each CPS program specifically focused on the CPS supervisors'
case manager has a cell phone and infant car seats. I professional development needs.
have directed DES to work with DOA to deliver any
reductions in state car fleets from other state agencies Action 5.4: Increase Reimbursement Rates for
to CPS. I am also requesting $103,500 to make Foster Parents.
technology improvements. I am requesting $1,010,700 in the special session to
increase the reimbursement rates for foster parents,
Action 5.1: Ensure Appropriate Classification of which have not increased since 1996, to more nearly
CPS Case Managers. reflect the cost of care.
I am working with CPS and DOA to ensure that all CPS
case managers and supervisory staff, including those Action 5.5: Revise the Foster Care System to Retain
with bilingual abilities, are appropriately classified and Quality Foster Families and Recruit More Families
paid accordingly. I am requesting $1,665,000 in the that Meet Cultural and Other Special Needs of
special session for this compensation and classification. Children.
I have directed CPS to revise the foster care system to
Action 5.2. Provide Supportive Services for CPS ensure retention and recruitment of safe and stable
Case Managers to Retain a Professional Workforce foster families. Toward this effort, CPS has already
and Recruit New Workers. streamlined its application process, including arranging
I have instructed CPS to provide case managers with for all home inspections to be conducted through DES
necessary support services to carry out their difficult instead of DHS. CPS must also focus on ways to retain
responsibilities. CPS will continue to assess ways to good foster homes by providing adequate respite care,
streamline its case management processes, eliminate ensuring that all available information about the child is
unproductive tasks and assign appropriate tasks to shared with the foster parents, and providing effective
support workers. The department has engaged staff training (both developmental and hands on). By March
and community partners in this review process. CPS 2004, CPS will launch, in coordination with my office, a
must also ensure that staff has access to employee statewide campaign to recruit and retain more foster
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Provide Adequate Support for Both Children and Families Served by the
System and Those Who Provide Services (cont.)
families that meet the ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and foster youth make these important connections. CPS is
special needs of children. CPS will include faith-based already developing information on its web page for its
organizations in this effort. Additionally, my office and teenage population regarding how to access these
CPS will continue to support the newly created Arizona services. CPS is also implementing a youth mentoring
Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents, which is program to match youth in foster care and independent
the collective voice for foster and adoptive parents. living programs with those that have left foster care.
Their work is key to creating awareness about the need
for foster parents, to effectively recruiting new families, Action 5.9: Stabilize Placements and Enhance
and to enhancing mutual cooperation, coordination and Systems of Support to Maintain Permanent Homes.
communication between CPS and foster parents. CPS must keep children who are removed from their
homes with extended families and in their own
Action 5.6: Create Alternatives to Formal neighborhoods when safe. This will sustain existing
Dependency That Require Families to Participate in relationships with teachers, friends and neighbors.
Services. When children need to be placed outside of their home
I will propose legislation in the special session that community, efforts should be made to maintain this
provides for an alternative to filing a dependency home as the sole placement for the child. These
petition where short term intervention appears likely to supports include (1) consideration of all potential
resolve risk issues and a parent or guardian stipulates placements with kin; (2) recruitment of foster and
to a case plan and participation in services. Unlike a adoptive homes that match the child’s cultural, ethnic
pure voluntary arrangement, however, this alternative and linguistic needs; (3) expedited court processes; and
will provide for “protective supervision” through court (4) adequate behavioral health care supports for both
oversight and the option for further court intervention if the family and the child. Transitional support services
a parent refuses or fails to comply with services. that are responsive to the ongoing needs of the children
and their birth, kinship and adoptive parents, must also
Action: 5.7: Develop Intensive Reunification be provided. For some children, family foster homes are
Services. not available or appropriate placements. When children
I have instructed CPS to develop more services aimed need to be placed in shelters or group homes, CPS
at providing “transition” and “aftercare” to families for must share information about the child with these
children returned home to assure safety and success of placements and must recognize and respect these
the reunification. These services must be individualized providers as child welfare professionals.
and supported by increased coordination with extended
family, neighbors and local community supports. Action 5.10: Respect Kinship Placements.
Comments at the public forums illustrate how many
Action 5.8: Create Mentoring Program for Foster relatives, including grandparents, do not feel valued,
Youth Who are Transitioning into Adulthood. respected or trusted by the current child welfare system
Foster youth who have reached their 18th birthday are and believe they are viewed only as providers of
often left without critical supports to help them transition services rather than key stakeholders. CPS must
into adulthood, including how to make the connection to respect and honor the efforts of kin, include them more
educational, job placement, health care, housing and appropriately in decision-making processes, and
community resources. I have directed CPS to help reassess available support to help facilitate placing
children in their care.
Increase Community Involvement in the Child Welfare System
A message heard consistently and resoundingly corporate and business world, neighborhoods and
throughout the Commission and public input process individual members of the public. While the need for an
was the need for state government to actively engage increased role of the community is discussed throughout
the community in the child protection system to report this Action Plan, the role of the collective community
abuse and neglect, to support children and families must be recognized in its own right as part of the solution
when a child has been removed, and to support families in ensuring a healthy future for Arizona’s children. We
after reunification occurs. “Community” includes not must also do a better job of educating the public about
only the traditional volunteers in the child protection the CPS system.
system, such as Foster Care Review Board members
and Court Appointed Special Advocates, but also faith-
based organizations, philanthropic entities, the
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Increase Community Involvement in the Child Welfare System (cont.)
Action 6.0: Expand Role of Volunteers, Including planning that simultaneously pursues both family
Faith-Based Organizations. reunification and an alternative plan for permanency.
Through the Community Network Teams, I have Other promising strategies such as the Annie E. Casey
directed DES to expand the role of traditional and non- Foundation's "Family to Family Program" and Illinois'
traditional community volunteers in the child welfare implementation of accreditation must also be closely
and protection system, particularly that of the faith- evaluated and pursued when beneficial to Arizona.
based community. I have also directed CPS to contact
the State Foster Care Review Board about how that Action 6.3: Organize a State Foster Youth Advisory
Board, consistent with its oversight function, can advise Board and Ensure that They Have a Voice in
through its quarterly meetings, CPS administrators Implementing Changes to the CPS System.
regarding service gaps or system problems it or the I have directed CPS to immediately organize a state
local review boards identify as part of their review of Foster Youth Advisory Board comprised of young adults
CPS cases, particularly as to areas where CPS does currently in the CPS system as well as foster care
not currently meet federal standards. I am encouraging alumni. This Board will identify and address issues
the Department of Education and the Administrative related to youth in out-of-home care and provide
Office of the Courts to work with CPS to eliminate recommendations for program improvements,
barriers, including duplicative training and fingerprinting particularly as to the transition from foster care to
requirements, for Court Appointed Special Advocates to independent living. Youth in the foster care system
become surrogate parents for children with special must be a leading voice in implementing reform.
educational needs.
Action 6.4: Appoint an Advisory Committee
Action 6.1: Support Consumer Involvement in the Responsible for Oversight of the Implementation of
Design and Oversight of the CPS System and This Action Plan.
Improve Response to All Constituents. This Fall I will appoint an Advisory Committee from the
As evidenced by the testimony received during the child welfare community, which will meet quarterly to
public input process, the CPS system suffers from a oversee implementation of this Action Plan.
lack of trust and involvement by those very persons that
the system is attempting to serve. Consumers of Action 6.5: Support Process for Continued Public
services such as foster care alumni, older youth Input.
currently in the system, kinship families, and parents The public testimony and written comments have
who received services must be full partners in the provided me with insightful, meaningful input on the
design and oversight of the system. CPS must process of continuous improvement of Arizona’s child
appropriately recognize and support these stakeholders welfare system. Please continue to provide me with
through leadership training, reimbursement for your thoughts and concerns through my Policy Advisor
expenses, compensation for significant contributions of for Children’s Services, Tracy L. Wareing at
time and, most importantly, respect for their views and twareing@az.gov.
expertise. I have also directed CPS, in coordination with
my office, to improve day-to-day communications with Action 6.6: Improve Public Education and
clients and other constituents and to increase consumer Awareness of the CPS System.
awareness of the role of the Ombudsman’s Office, My office and CPS are launching a public awareness
which is an independent entity with staff designated to and education initiative to increase knowledge and
review individual case concerns regarding CPS. accountability of the system. This enhanced
communication is designed to increase public
Action 6.2: Partner with National Groups to understanding of the mission and role of CPS and build
Implement State of the Art Practices Shown to public trust in the system. Using public and private
Improve Safety, Permanency and Well Being. resources, as appropriate, this initiative will also expand
Several practices both in Arizona and nationwide are communications about the services available for
demonstrating effectiveness in improving safety, children and families, recruit foster and adoptive
permanency and well being for children and their families, and promote community involvement in
families. I have instructed DES to continue to forge improving the CPS system.
partnerships with groups such as national resource
centers, foundations specializing in child welfare, Action 6.7: Provide Greater Insight into the CPS
national organizations such as Child Welfare League of Dependency System to the Public.
America, American Public Human Services Association, I will propose legislation in the special session to
and others who may help to identify, fund and expand the pilot to open CPS dependency hearings to
implement the best strategies for Arizona. DES must include at least two rural counties (the pilot, which
continue to give particular attention to concurrent began September 18, is currently only in Maricopa
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Increase Community Involvement in the Child Welfare System (cont.)
County). This follows a national trend to open these
types of proceedings as a means of increasing public
awareness and system accountability. The pilot law
calls for an evaluation of the impact and effectiveness
of the program and the provision of an interim report by
January 1, 2004 and a final report by October 15, 2004.
Unless the evaluation identifies otherwise, I intend to
propose legislation in the first session following
completion of the pilot, to create a presumption of
openness for all dependency cases statewide, with
discretion left to the court, including at the request of a
foster youth, to close all or a portion of the proceedings
to the public.
Action 6.8: Keep Members of the Public Informed as
to Progress of Reform.
My office, CPS and the members of my Children’s
Cabinet are committed to bringing you regular updates
regarding progress in improving Arizona’s child
protection and child welfare systems. Regular updates
will be posted on my web page as well as those of the
state agencies.
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Indicators of Improvement in Arizona’s Child Welfare System
Prevention
•Decreased number of families needing to enter the child protection system
•Increased number of families served by successful prevention programs
Investigation and Response
•Decreased number of child fatalities as a result of child abuse or neglect
•Increased timeliness of initiating investigations
•Increased number of investigations jointly responded to by law enforcement and CPS
•Increased use of multi-disciplinary teams to respond to and investigate reports of child abuse and neglect
•Increased number of prosecutions of criminal child abuse
Service Delivery
•Increased provision of timely and comprehensive assessments of the behavioral health, medical and
educational needs of children in the CPS system
•Increased number of children and families who participate in case planning that includes the provision of
services to meet the child’s behavioral health, medical, and educational needs
•Increased access to behavioral health services by children and families
•Increased training about the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child abuse and delivery of needed
services to victims
•Increased number of providers, specialists and others with child welfare experience who understand the
unique needs of children who have been abused or neglected
•Increased number of available services that are accessible, community based, child centered, and
focused on the strengths of the family
•Increased number of available services that are responsive to cultural, ethnic and linguistic needs of the
child and family
•Increased number of faith-based organizations, businesses and other community and local organizations
participating in the delivery of services to children and families
•Increased drawn down of Federal Funds, including foster care and adoption assistance (Title IV-E funds)
•Increased number of children receiving health care services through Medicaid (Title XIX funds)
Support
•Increased number of available foster care homes
•Reduced number of children in institutional and group home care
•Increased number of children who have been in foster care less than 12 months who have no more than
two placements
•Increased number of children who are placed with siblings
•Increased number of children who are safely reunified with their parents or caretakers within 12 months of
removal from home
•Increased number of children who achieve adoption within 24 months
•Decreased number of children who re-enter foster care within twelve months of being returned home
•Improved rate of retention of CPS case managers
•Increased number of CPS staff with bilingual abilities
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