Arizona child safety hotline reviews calls and routes repeat reports

Hotline workers review recent calls and may use them when deciding whether to prepare a DCS report. The review covers hotline calls from the previous 90 days that did not meet the criteria for a DCS report. Workers may use information from earlier calls when deciding whether an allegation meets the criteria for a DCS report. The review covers the 90 days before the worker considers whether an allegation qualifies for a DCS report.

The department assigns certain investigations to a child safety specialist with at least two years of experience or, if available, advanced forensic training. This applies when the department receives four or more abuse or neglect reports about the same caregiver in less than 12 months. The specialist with advanced forensic training is assigned only if one is available. The trigger is four or more reports received in less than 12 months.

The department discloses hotline calls to the court overseeing a child's dependency case. The disclosure goes to the court with authority over that child's dependency case. The call must allege abuse or neglect of a child who is the subject of a dependency action.

The department verifies whether a mother is a qualifying medical cannabis patient and has a valid registry card in a specified newborn neglect report. The verification concerns the newborn's mother and applies within the specified neglect allegation in a DCS report. This applies when suspected neglect involves prenatal cannabis exposure and a health professional determines the newborn was exposed. The identity or current location of the child, family, or suspected person must be known or reasonably ascertainable, and the other listed criteria for a DCS report must be alleged.