Arizona child safety department announces reforms after stakeholder meeting

The Arizona Department of Child Safety has pledged immediate reforms following a Sept. 3 stakeholder meeting that included families, law enforcement, prosecutors, tribal leaders and child welfare advocates, according to AZ Free News.

The department plans to draft clearer notification rules requiring group homes to promptly alert it and law enforcement when a child leaves placement. The department also intends to share facility locations with law enforcement, create standardized “face sheets” for runaway youth, renew standing meetings with the San Carlos Apache Tribe and expand tribal outreach, and develop a process to share licensing actions with tribes contracting with department-approved facilities.

State Sen. Carine Werner emphasized the need for long-term accountability. She was quoted as saying, “This is a step in the right direction, but it can’t be the last.”