OCA report of investigation (Case #1701644) and cover letter concerning the Department of Child Safety is now available.
Final Report of Investigation Case #1701644
On May 11, 2017, a step-mother filed a complaint with the Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide’s office alleging that the Department of Child Safety failed to comply with Arizona law by failing to properly inform the step-mother of her right to appeal DCS’s proposed finding of substantiation of the neglect allegation made against her.
We find that the Department of Child Safety violated A.R.S. § 8-811 when it failed to provide proper written notice to the Complainant in the proper amount of time. Additionally, we find that DCS acted contrary to law, inefficiently, unreasonably, unfairly, and unsupported by an adequate statement of reasons about several other issues related to the stepmother’s matter.
