Arizona has a serious problem and nobody in the government has done anything about it. Instead these fearless leaders run on platforms of building more prisons, and funding projects that suit their own needs and wants rather than the wellness of our children who are being abused and dying because of neglect or torture by either their parents or other persons. It has been reported that in 2010 there were 23 children that died from abuse or neglect according to the children protection services records. The year before, there were 22 children that died and the numbers are staggering as the state ignores this jump in statewide abuse.
It is recognized that the Child Protective Services (CPS) cannot and do not avoid any deaths in an immediate way through intervention except in maybe a few of these cases but the disease that is running rampant throughout the state is supported by the agency’s inability to carry its load and responsibilities to protect our children through sound practices and reasonable caseloads that allow inspections and home calls to investigate cases thoroughly. According to CPS their workers are exceeding the state’s caseload by a whopping 62 per cent.
Written just a few weeks ago, in a blog owned by Phoenix Channel 12 Brahm Resnik reporter, the Director of DES, Clarence Carter, who heads the parent group of CPS, wrote in an email to all his Department of Economic Security (DES) workers conceding that their work environment “is toxic” and goes on “to pledge his employees to change the department.” He boasts these changes in the workplace as the state continues to privatize essential services of the government, reduce funding and furloughing staff to address serious budget deficits in the next few years. According to records released to ABC15, CPS workers have seen a recent jump in calls to a statewide child abuse hotline. From April through September of 2010, the agency received 17,068 calls that met the criteria for a CPS report. From October to March 2011, the agency received 17,586 calls.Child Protective Services (CPS) is a program mandated under ARS §8-802 for the protection of children alleged to be abused and neglected. This program provides specialized welfare services that seek to prevent dependency, abuse and neglect of children. This state web sites states “The Child Protective Services program receives, screens and investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect, performs assessments of child safety, assesses the imminent risk of harm to the children and evaluates conditions that support or refute the alleged abuse or neglect and need for emergency intervention. This program also provides services designed to stabilize a family in crisis and to preserve the family unit by reducing safety and risk factors. This program provides an array of services, Family Group Decision Making, Family Preservation Services (Intensive Family Services), High-Risk Infant Services (in Maricopa County), case management, parent aide and other in-home family support services.”
“Not all programs are offered in every geographic area. In addition, services to promote permanence, stability and continuity of care are provided for children who enter out-of-home care. Services include, but are not limited to case management, permanency planning, and provision of out-of-home care, kinship foster care, adoptive and foster home recruitment, other out-of-home services to individuals or families, and assistance to young adults in transition from adolescence to adulthood.”
One such report found on in the annual report mandated by law showed some statistical data that is just overwhelming CPS staff when processing these calls. In a report titled Child Abuse Hotline and Child Protective Service Investigations the report reveals: The statewide Child Abuse Hotline received 27,715 calls during this reporting period. Of those, 10,129 – or 36.5 percent – did not meet the statutory criteria for a CPS report. Calls that did not meet the criteria for a CPS report included: requests for information or referrals for services; questions about current cases; and allegations of abuse or neglect where the alleged perpetrator was not the child’s parent, guardian or custodian (those calls are referred to law enforcement for response). Every call that does not meet the criteria for a CPS report is reviewed within 48 hours by quality assurance staff to ensure the accuracy of that decision. The statewide Child Abuse Hotline received 17,586 calls during this reporting period that met the statutory criteria for a CPS report. Of those, 208 were referred to other jurisdictions, the military or tribal governments for investigation. This resulted in 17,378 CPS reports being assigned to child welfare specialists for investigation. Compared to the same reporting period last year, this represents an increase of 776 CPS reports assigned for investigation – or 4.7 percent. This increase in CPS reports requiring an investigation has mainly occurred in Maricopa and Pima counties.
Of the 17,378 CPS reports assigned for investigation during this reporting period, 8,481 reports – or 48.8 percent – had investigation closures entered into the Children’s Information Library and Data Source (CHILDS) statewide case management information system. Closing a case means that the initial investigation to the original allegations of abuse or neglect has been completed and the appropriate case plan is put in place, as needed. Many factors can impact the closure of investigations, including time needed for child welfare specialists to obtain all information needed to complete an accurate and thorough assessment. Of the 17,378 CPS reports subject to substantiation during this reporting period, 1,366 – or 7.9 percent – were substantiated. An additional 441 CPS reports – or 2.5 percent – were proposed for substantiation by child welfare specialists and are currently awaiting the results of the appeals process.
The report delivered to the Governor’s office and members of the legislature lists its challenges for 2011 but it appears that these recommendations or shortcomings are falling on deaf ears. They wrote: The Division continues to face challenges in its efforts to ensure safety and promote permanency for abused and neglected children. Some of the challenges the Division has faced in meeting these goals are: *Impact of vacancies in CPS specialist positions. *Hiring and retaining trained and qualified staff. *Economic factors which create additional stress upon families and increases factors that place children at risk of maltreatment. * More complex family situations, as noted by child welfare staff who conduct investigations and work with families. * Recruitment of foster homes for older youth ages 12 to 18 years old. *Impact of reductions in behavioral health services for both children and adults. * Increase in the number of Child Abuse Hotline reports in the urban counties.
Sources:
1. http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/cps-seeing-a-growing-number-of-child-abuse-deaths#ixzz1WYgBcjM1
2. https://www.azdes.gov/main.aspx?menu=154&id=2030
3. http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/Brahm1700/139119
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