Tribal Engagement, Law Enforcement Partnerships Highlight New Child Safety Plan

Arizona’s child welfare system is preparing for immediate change following a meeting that brought together families, law enforcement, prosecutors, tribal leaders, and child welfare advocates. The September 3 meeting, convened by State Senator Carine Werner, sparked a series of commitments from the Department of Child Safety (DCS) aimed at closing critical gaps that have left children in group homes vulnerable.

The urgency comes after recent tragedies exposed troubling flaws in oversight. Children who ran away from group homes were often met with inconsistent responses, communication with tribal governments was delayed or incomplete, and licensing actions remained hidden from those directly impacted. Families and communities expressed frustration that these breakdowns placed already at-risk children in greater danger.

In response, DCS pledged to move forward with several immediate reforms. Among the changes: the department is drafting new rules requiring group homes to notify both DCS and law enforcement right away if a child leaves a placement. To strengthen on-the-ground responses, DCS will share group home locations with local law enforcement, ensuring officers can build stronger ties with staff and youth before crises occur.

Another reform includes a standardized “face sheet” for law enforcement, giving officers vital information when a child does run away. Tribal engagement is also being renewed, with standing meetings re-established with the San Carlos Apache Tribe and outreach extended to other tribal nations. Transparency around licensing will also expand, with a new mechanism to share licensing actions directly with tribes that contract with group home facilities.

Senator Werner emphasized that these steps are only the beginning of needed reforms. “This is a step in the right direction, but it can’t be the last,” Werner said. “Arizona’s children deserve a system that responds quickly, communicates clearly, and puts their safety first. I will keep working with stakeholders and holding DCS accountable until we create a system that best serves families and kids throughout Arizona. I’m grateful to the families, law enforcement, and tribal leaders who continue to raise their voices — their input is driving real solutions, and together we can make lasting change.”

By bringing everyone to the table — from families who have lived the system, to officers responding on the ground, to tribal leaders seeking accountability — Arizona is moving toward a stronger child safety framework. The coming months will test how quickly and effectively DCS can turn commitments into action, but for now, the state’s most vulnerable children may finally see a system adjusting to better meet their needs.