>> GROWING PAINS FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY.
>> THE CHANGES THAT NEED TO
HAPPEN ARE CULTURAL, AND A LONG
TIME.
WE'VE GOT TO GET THE
INTERVENTION RIGHT BUT THE
CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE
TO HAPPEN TO THE SYSTEM AREN'T
GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
>> WATCHING OUT FOR CASE WORKERS
AND NEARLY 20,000 CHILDREN.
>> THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST
VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
IN OUR STATE.
AND WE REALLY NEED TO DO THE
BEST FOR THEM.
>> AS THE CASE LOAD GROWS SO
DOES AGENCY TURNOVER.
>>> A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO
HELP FOSTER FAMILIES IS MAKING
AN IMPACT IN PIMA COUNTY.
ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA'S
CHRISTOPHER CONOVER HAS THE
STORY.
>> TWO DOZEN CHURCHES IN PIMA
COUNTY ARE OPENING DOORS,
STORAGE ROOMS, WALLETS AND
HEARTS TO WORK WITH WITH THE
DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY TO
HELP FAMILIES IN NEED.
IT'S A PROGRAM CALLED CARE
PORTAL.
>> OFTENTIMES THE CASE WORKER
KNOWS THE IMMEDIATE FELT NEED OF
A CHILD OR FAMILY BUT IT'S VERY
DIFFICULT TO GET THAT OUT TO THE
PEOPLE WHO CAN REALLY DO
ANYTHING TO MEET THAT NEED.
SO, BELIEVING THAT THE CHURCH IS
CALLED TO CARE FOR WIDOWS AND OR
PHONES AS IT SAYS IN JAMES 1:27,
THAT'S PURE RELIGION CARING FOR
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS IN DISTRESS
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND A
RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP DCF MEET
THE NEEDS OF THIS CHILDREN.
>> WHEN DCS FINDS A FAMILY
NEEDING ASSISTANCE CARE PORTAL
SENDS E-MAIL TO MEMBER CHURCHES
ASKING FOR HELP.
AT FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD IN
TUCSON AND LENA AND JOE WHO GET
THAT.
>> SINCE WE'RE A TEAM, IT'S KIND
OF SIMPLE.
I'M NEXT TO HIM LOOKING AT THE
COMPUTER REQUESTS, AND WE TALK
OVER WITH EACH OTHER.
WE PRAY ABOUT IT.
AND IF IT'S SOMETHING WE FEEL WE
CAN DO WE BRING IT BEFORE THE
CHURCH.
>> THOSE REQUESTS CAN RUN THE
GAMUT.
>> WE'VE TAKEN TODDLER BEDS,
REGULAR BEDS, BUNK BEDS, FOOD,
DRESSERS.
>> THEY SCOUR THE INTERNET FOR
GOOD DEALS ON THINGS FAMILIES
NEED.
THE MOST EXCITING FOR EVERYONE
IS BEDS.
>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
>> THAT'S PERFECT.
>> A DRESSER INCLUDED.
>> THE KIDS, THEY LOVE IT WHEN
YOU BRING THEM A BED.
THEY JUMP ON THE BED
IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON AS YOU SET
IT UP THEY GET ON THE BED AND GO
OH, MOM, IS THIS MINE.
THEY LOVE IT.
>> CARE PORTAL DOESN'T CAKE
MONEY FROM DCS TO RUN THE
PROGRAM.
THE FUNDS COME FROM DONATIONS.
SOMETHING THAT COULD PUT A
STRAIN ON CHURCH BUDGETS.
>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
EVERYBODY COULD BE INVOLVED
WITH.
IF YOU CAN ONLY THROW A DOLLAR
TOWARD IT THAT GOES A LONG WAY
WHEN YOU HAVE NEEDS LIKE
MATTRESSES, BEDS, DRESSERS,
BEDROOM FURNITURE, OR SOFA FOR
THE LIVING ROOM.
AND SO, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN VERY
GENEROUS.
>> DCS IS OFTEN SEEN AS THE BAD
GUY, THE PEOPLE TAKING KIDS OUT
OF HOMES.
BUT OFFICIALS SAY PARTNERING
WITH CARE PORTAL IS ABOUT JUST
THE OPTS SIT.
>> IT'S TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE
SYSTEM, IT'S TO PRESERVE THEM
WITH PEOPLE THEY KNOW AND THEY
ARE LOVED.
WE BELIEVE WHEN IT'S NOT SAFE
FOR A CHILD TO BE IN A HOME WITH
FAMILY THEN WE SHOULD LOOK AT
SOMEBODY ELSE THAT IS CONNECTED
TO THAT CHILD TO LOVE THEM AND
GIVE THEM CARE IN THAT TIME.
SO IT'S A WAY WE CAN REACH OUT
TO RELATIVES AND THEY MAY NEED
OKAY, WE NEED A BED TO DO THAT
OR WE'RE NOT SET UP YET OR YOU
KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE FOUR
KIDS TO THEIR HOME SO MAYBE THEY
NEED EXTRA HELP THROUGH THAT
WEEK.
SO THAT'S WHAT IT'S REALLY
ABOUT.
>> I THINK WE HAVE THAT.
WE SHOULD REALLY TAKE THAT ONE.
>> CARE PORTAL LAUNCHED IN PIMA
COUNTY IN DECEMBER, OFFICIALS
SAY THEY WANT TO TAKE TO THE
MARICOPA COUNTY BASED ON THREE
MONTHS OF SUCCESS.
>> IT IS WORKING, WE ARE
FOLLOWING UP, WE DO A WEEK
FOLLOW-UP, WE DO -- WE'RE GOING
TO FOLLOW UP AND SEE IF THIS IS
REALLY WORKING SO THOUGH IT'S
EARLY STAGES EVEN THE FAMILIES
THAT HAVE BEEN HELPED IN THE
LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEY ARE
STILL A FAMILY, WE HAVEN'T
REMOVED CHILDREN.
>> THE GOAL IS GET MORE THAN 100
CHURCHES INVOLVED IN PIMA COUNTY
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
NOT TO MENTION THE EXPANSION TO
MARICOPA.
FOR CHURCHES WORRIED ABOUT
TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY ON,
PASTOR MUNNS UNDERSTANDS HOW
TIGHT BUDGETS GET.
BUT HE SAYS THAT'S NOT AN
EXCUSE.
>> SO, IT'S ALMOST LIKE I CAN'T
DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.
WELL, NOW IS WHEN IT'S NEEDED.
SO, I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE
JUST TO STOP SOMETHING ELSE THAT
YOU'RE NOT REALLY BEING
EFFECTIVE WITH AND LET'S KEEP
THE KIDS WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND
SO THERE'S NOT ALL OF THIS
SHUFFLING KIDS FROM' TER CARE TO
FOSTER CARE AND DIFFERENT PLACES
THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO STAY AND
JUST KEEP THEM WITH THEIR
FAMILIES.
>>> NEARLY 20,000 CHILDREN IN
ARIZONA ARE OUT OF THEIR HOMES
AND CONSIDERED IN STATE CUSTODY.
SENATE PRESIDENT ANDY BIGGS SAYS
LAWMAKERS TAKE THAT NUMBER
SERIOUSLY.
>> WE INCREASED FUNDING THERE
LIKE 350% OVER FOUR YEARS, AND
AS YOU SAY, WE CONTINUE TO SEE
CASE LOAD GROWTH AND SOMETIMES
THE PRIORITIES ARE NOT REALLY
WHAT I PERSONALLY AND I THINK A
LOT OF MY MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO
SEE.
I THINK -- I THINK WE ALL COME
ACROSS -- CAN COME TO THE
BIPARTISAN CONCLUSION NOW THAT
IT IS BETTER TO KEEP A CHILD IN
THEIR HOME WITH SERVICES WHERE
POSSIBLE.
BUT OUR REMOVAL RATE IS AN
OUTLIER NATIONALLY.
SO WE'RE TAKING AWAY TOO MANY
KIDS.
I THINK THERE IS KIND OF A
CONSENSUS ACROSS BOTH PARTY
LINES OF THAT.
BUT WHAT I WOULD TELL YOU IS
THAT AS WE LOOK AT IT AND IF WE
CHECK IT OUT WITH BUDGETTARY
ISSUES, WITH POLICY ISSUES,
THOSE ARE GOING TO BE RELATED TO
ONE ANOTHER.
WE WANT TO SEE PROGRESS AND IF
WE SEE PROGRESS OR AREA OF NEED,
WE WANT TO KNOW THAT THAT AREA
OF NEED IS BEING MET, BOTH
RESOURCE WISE FROM A BUDGETARY
STANDPOINT, CERTAINLY FROM THE
HUMAN CAPITAL SIDE.
SO THIS IS -- THIS IS REALLY --
THIS IS REALLY THE PROBLEM THAT
WE HAVE.
AND I THINK THERE'S NO ONE HERE
THAT IS SAYING THIS IS FIXED OR
WE'RE CONTENT.
I THINK EVERYBODY HERE IS
ACTIVITY CONTINUES TO REMAIN AT
THE FOREFRONT OF OUR
DISCUSSIONINGS.
WHETHER IT'S BUDGET OR POLICY.
I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.
SO I WAS ORIGINALLY -- LET ME
GIVE YOU A FOR INSTANCE.
I WAS ORIGINALLY OPPOSED TO THE
REMOVAL FROM EES BECAUSE THEY
WERE TRYING TO SELL IT AS
EFFICIENCY MEASURE.
BUT I NEVER COULD SEE HOW THAT
COULD BE THE CASE BECAUSE WHEN
YOU'RE IN DES, A LOT OF SERVICE
PROVIDERS ARE HOUSED AND YOU
CAN -- YOU SHOULD BE HAVING THE
COMMUNICATIONS TO MAKE THAT
WORK.
BUT THE ONE THING I'LL SAY IS
REALLY HAPPENED IN A POSITIVE
WAY.
ALTHOUGH A LOT OF PEOPLE PAY NOT
SEE IT AS POSITIVE.
I DO.
IS BY PULLING DCS OUT OF DES
WHAT YOU HAVE DONE NOW IS THERE
IS -- THERE'S NO PLACE TO HIDE.
IT IS UNDER MAGNIFYING GLASS.
>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD
SAFETY KNOWN AS DCS IS ONE OF
THE LARGEST STATE AGENCIES.
AS A NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE
SYSTEM GROWS, SO DOES TURNOVER
RATE FOR CASE WORKERS.
HERE AGAIN IS CHRISTOPHER
CONOVER WITH DOUG NICK.
>> WE'VE SEEN IN SEVERAL MONTHS
ENCOURAGING TRENDS, ONE THING
OUR SERVICE WAIT LIST IS DOWN
WHICH IS EXCELLENT.
SERVICES THAT GO TO FAMILIES
THAT MAY BE IN CRISIS, AND
THAT'S A GREAT MEASUREMENT OF
INTERVENING BEFORE A CRISIS GETS
OUT OF HAND AND A CHILD IS IN
DANGER AND NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.
THAT'S A GOOD TREND TO SEE THAT
WAIT LIST GO DOWN.
WE SEE THE BACKLOG OF ACTIVE
CASES BEING WHITTLED DOWN, ABOUT
22% SINCE THE DIRECTOR TOOK
OFFICE, ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR
AGO.
WHEN HE STARTED THAT LIST OF
INACTIVE CASES THE BACKLOG WAS
OVER 16,000.
AS OF TODAY IT'S ABOUT 12,500.
THAT'S ABOUT A 22% DROP.
SO THAT'S EXCELLENT NEWS.
AND THAT SHOWS A LOT OF HARD
WORK ON THE PART OF OUR FIELD
STAFF AND SUPERVISORS, PEOPLE
OUT THERE IN THE OFFICES DOING
THE JOB, TO CLOSE THOSE PORTS
THAT COME IN TO COMPLETE THE
CASES THAT ARE COMPRISED OF MANY
OF THOSE REPORTS.
IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THEIR HARD
WORK AND STATUTORY.
A COUPLE OF ENCOURAGING
STEININGS.
>> THE DIRECTOR SPOKE RECENTLY
WITH THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS
COMMITTEE, GAVE ALL OF THE
NUMBERS, SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS
ARE UP ESPECIALLY THE CALLS
COMING IN.
BUT THE NUMBER OF REPORTS FILED
IS CHANGING.
YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF
REPORTS THAT COME IN, OR RATHER
THE CALLS THAT COME IN.
WE ANSWER THE PHONE REGARDLESS
OF WHO CALLED.
MANY OF THOSE CALLS ARE MUNDANE
IN TERMS OF ALLEGATION OF CHILD
ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
MAY BE SOMEBODY THAT CALLED IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO GET A
PHONE NUMBER OF A CASE WORKER
AND IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY.
SO THE NUMBER OF REPORTS THAT WE
TAKE FOR INVESTIGATIONS IN THE
LAST CALENDAR YEAR WAS IN THE
NEIGHBORHOODS OF 51,000, WE'RE
PROJECTING ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER
OF MAYBE SLIGHT INCREASE THIS
YEAR.
BUT THEN IT'S LEVELING OFF.
SO, THE REPORTS THAT COME, SORRY
THE CALLS THAT COME IN AS A
REFLECTION OF WHATEVER CALLS
ARE, AND THE REPORTS REFLECTION
OF OUR HOT LINE EXPERTS LOOKING
AT THE CALL AND DETERMINING
OKAY, DOES THIS RISE TO THE
LEVEL OF A REPORT THAT NEEDS TO
BE INVESTIGATED AND IF SO, WHAT
PRIORITY.
SO, WE'RE SEEING LEVELING OFF
THERE AND PART OF THAT WOULD
HAVE TO DO AGAIN WITH LOWERING
THE SERVICE WAIT LIST BECAUSE
SERVICES ARE GETTING OUT THERE
IN A MORE RAPID TIME BEFORE
TROUBLE BECOMES MUCH WORSE IN A
FAMILY AND ALSO WHEN WE LOWER
THE REPORTS OR THE NUMBER OF
REPORTS WE COMPLETE MORE OF THEM
THAT FREES UP PERSONNEL HOURS TO
ADDRESS OTHER MATTERS THAT NEED
TO BE ATTENDED TO AT THE AGENCY.
SO IT DOES HAVE A HEALTHY METRIC
TO IT.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THE
DIRECTOR TALKED ABOUT PUBLICLY
AND WE HEAR IN LEGISLATIVE HALLS
IS THE USE OF PRIVATE
CONTRACTORS TO HELP OUT.
HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> WELL, THERE IS LEGISLATION TO
THAT EFFECT, AND WE'LL SEE HOW
THAT PLAYS OUT.
WE CERTAINLY WELCOME ASSISTANCE,
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR
ROLE AS A STATE AGENCY AS IS
LAID OUT TIP STATE LAW THERE ARE
CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE AS A
STATE AGENCY MUST DO IN TERMS OF
INVESTIGATION.
THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT NEED
TO CONFORM WITH THE LAW.
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING
ASSISTANCE IN SOME AREAS, THERE
ARE PROPER VENDORS AND SERVICE
PARTNERS WE WORK WITH TO PROVIDE
SERVICES, BUT ALSO SOME OTHER
AREAS LIKE WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT
LOWERING THE BACKLOG OF ACTIVE
CASES WE HAVE ANOTHER STATE
AGENCY HELP US WITH
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
FREEING UP OUR PROFESSIONALS TO
DO THEIR PROFESSIONAL JOB.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME VENDORS
HELPING US IN THAT REGARD NOW.
SO THAT WE CAN KNOCK DOWN THAT
BACKLOG MORE.
SO WE'RE CERTAINLY WILLING AND
HAPPY TO HAVE THAT ASSISTANCE,
WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE AND DONE
IN A WAY THAT FURTHERS THE
STATUTORY MISSION OF THE AGENCY.
>> I DON'T THINK ANY ONE WILL
SAY BEING A CASE WORKER FOR
CHILD PROTECTIVE AGENCY IS EASY.
2:00 IN THE MORNING PHONE CALLS,
LONG DAYS WITHOUT THOSE.
THERE IS A BIG ATTRITION RATE
AND THE DIRECTOR ADDRESSED THAT.
HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
>> OUR ATTRITION RATE WE'RE NOT
AN OUTLIER IN THE COUNTRY, AND
AMONG OTHER VENDORS NOT STATE
SERVICE PROVIDER IT IS.
SOME IDEAS FOR MERIT PAY AND
INCENTIVES, SPOT INCENTIVE PAY,
THAT KIND OF THING.
ONE THING WE'RE DOING IS WITH
THE INCREASE IN THE ABILITY TO
TRAIN OUR PEOPLE AND HELP THEM
TO DO THEIR JOBS BETTER AND TO
BRING IN THESE OTHER ENTITIES
THAT COME IN AND DO SOME OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS THAT FREES
UP OUR PROFESSIONALS TO DO THE
PROFESSIONAL WORK.
AND THAT HELPS THEM WHEN THEY
ARE DOING THE WORK THAT REALLY
DEALS WITH THE CHILD'S
WELLBEING, THAT HELPS REALLY
BRING HOME THE FACT THAT THEY
ARE DOING THIS TO HELP A CHILD.
IT'S A MULTI-PRONGED EFFORT WITH
AGAIN, THE PROPOSAL WE TALKED
ABOUT, MORE TRAINING, THEY GET
22 WEEKS AS THEY COME IN.
AND THEN WE ADDED THREE WEEKS
NOT CONSECUTIVELY BUT THREE
WEEKS ADDED TO THAT OVER TIME,
OF ADVANCED TRAINING.
AND THE MORE YOU GIVE PEOPLE
THESE TOOLS, THE BETTER THEY CAN
USE THEM, THE BETTER THEY FEEL
ABOUT THEIR JOB AND THE MORE WE
DEAL WITH REPORTS COMING IN AND
GET RID OF THE BACKLOG OF CASES
THAT FREES UP WORK THAT IS
MEANINGFUL WORK IN TERMS OF
GETTING TO A CHILD THAT MAY BE
IN DANGER.
>>> TURNOVER IN DCS IS AT ABOUT
35%.
THE YEAR BEFORE IT WAS 25%.
THE AGENCY SAYS ARIZONA CASE
WORKERS AVERAGE ABOUT SIX YEARS
ON THE JOB AND THEIR AVERAGE
SALARY IS ABOUT $41,000 A YEAR.
HERE'S TIMOTHY SCHULTZ FROM THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL
WORKERS ARIZONA CHAPTER.
>> YOU ASKED THE LEGISLATURE AND
CONTINUE TO NOT GIVE UP ON THE
AGENCY.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?
>> IF YOU DON'T ADD ADDITIONAL
RESOURCES, IT'S THE TECHNOLOGY,
IF YOU DON'T HIRE QUALIFIED
PROFESSIONAL STAFF, WHO KNOW THE
BEST PRACTICES, IF YOU DON'T
HAVE INSPIRING PRAGMATIC GOOD
LEADERSHIP, YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS
WORK.
AND IN THE END, CHILDREN AND
FAMILIES ARE THE ONES THAT
SUFFER.
IT'S THE CHILD WHO LANGUISHES IN
FOSTER CARE WHO DOESN'T GET
ADOPTION, A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE
WHO DOESN'T GET RETURNED TO HIS
PARENTS.
ALL OF THOSE WHEN YOU GIVE UP,
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT
CHILDREN SUFFER.
AND THESE CHILDREN HAVE SUFFERED
ENOUGH.
THE REALITY IS THAT THEY MAY
HAVE BEEN REMOVED, THEY MAY HAVE
EXPERIENCED NEGLECT, THEY MAY
HAVE BEEN HUNGRY ACTION ALL OF
THESE THINGS WHEN YOU GIVE UP ON
THE AGENCY, WHEN YOU DON'T
PROVIDE RESOURCES, TECHNOLOGY,
QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF,
AND, AND, QUALIFIED INSPIRING
LEADERSHIP, YOU END UP WITH KIDS
CAUGHT IN THIS SYSTEM.
>> HOW WOULD YOU FIX THE AGENCY?
A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WILL SAY
YOU JUST CAN'T THROW MORE MONEY
AT IT.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF
QUESTION ABOUT LEADERSHIP RIGHT
NOW.
I THINK THAT ONE IS THAT I THINK
THAT THE AGENCY NEEDS HIGHLY
QUALIFIED, HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL
CHILD WELFARE LEADERSHIP AS A
START.
I THINK SECOND, I THINK WE NEED
TO RAISE THE SALARIES OF THE
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ON THE LINE.
PROBABLY IN OUR GUESS, ESTIMATE,
ANALYSIS, BY $10,000.
NOW, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
BUT IT WILL STABILIZE THE AGENCY
BECAUSE PEOPLE -- PEOPLE ARE
LEAVING THE AGENCY BECAUSE OF
ALL OF THESE MORALE AND CASE
LOAD FACTORS, AND WE NEED -- WE
NEED TO STABILIZE THAT WORK
FORCE AS A WAY TO DO SHORT AND
LONG TERM SOLUTIONS.
SO, MORE INSPIRING, QUALIFIED
LEADERSHIP, HIGHLY PAID, HIGHLY
QUALIFIED STAFF.
I'D MAKE MOST OF THESE JOBS
REQUIRE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN
SOCIAL WORK OR RELATED FIELD,
VERY CLOSELY RELATED FIELD.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.
WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE
COMMUNITY AGENCIES THAT ARE
PROVIDING THE SERVICE.
ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT, SUBSTANCE
ABUSE TREATMENT, FAMILY
COUNSELING, ALL OF THOSE KINDS
OF THINGS.
AND I THINK WE -- WE NEED TO BE
PATIENT A LITTLE BIT.
IF WE DID ALL OF THAT.
TAKES MORE RESOURCES,
TECHNOLOGY, QUALIFIED STAFF.
AND THEN A LITTLE PATIENCE.
IF WE DON'T DO THOSE THINGS,
WE'RE JUST -- WE'RE GOING TO BE
HERE ANOTHER YEAR FROM NOW, TWO
YEARS FROM NOW IF WE DON'T
IMPLEMENT SOME OF THOSE
SOLUTIONS THAT WE KNOW ARE OUT
THERE.
BEST PRACTICES, INSPIRING
LEADERSHIP, SMALL CASE LOADS,
HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF.
HIGHLY PAID STAFF.
THOSE KINDS OF SOLUTIONS.
>> AS YOU SAID STICKING YOUR
FINGER IN THE DAM.
>> YEAH, RIGHT NOW WE'RE
STICKING OUR FINGER IN THE DAM.
AND WE'RE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD
JOB.
WE'RE LEAKING A LOT.
35% TURNOVER SAYS THAT WE'RE
LEAKING A LOT.
THAT PEOPLE ARE -- THAT
DEDICATED PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.
I KNOW THAT I'VE HAD PEOPLE SAY
THAT TO ME.
I HAD A YOUNG SOCIAL WORKER THE
OTHER DAY, AS SOON AS I'M DONE
WITH MY COMMITMENT TO THE
DEPARTMENT, SHE GOT HER MASTER'S
DEGREE, I'M LEAVING.
I SAID WHY?
SAID IT'S JUST TOO CHAOTIC.
I CAN'T -- I WANT TO SERVE
CHILDREN BUT I CAN'T DO IT THAT
WAY.
AND THAT'S THE WRONG ANSWER.
I MEAN, THAT'S -- HERE IS
SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO DEDICATE
THEIR LIVES, BUT WE NEED TO
ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE, AND
FRANKLY, PAY THEM WELL ENOUGH
AND KEEP THEM QUALIFIED TO DO
IT.
>> DCS DIRECTOR GREG McKAY LED
THE AGENCY FOR THE LAST YEAR.
MINORITY LEADER ERIC MEYER SAYS
HE IS DISAPPOINTED WITH
LEADERSHIP THUS FAR.
>> HE PAINTED A GOOD PICTURE,
BUT THE FACTS DON'T SUPPORT THE
PICTURE HE PAINTED.
HE'S TALKING ABOUT REDUCING THE
NUMBER OF CASES IN THE SYSTEM
AND THAT COULD BE HAPPENING, WE
DON'T KNOW.
WE DON'T GET NUMBERS RIGHT NOW
ON THE FREQUENT ENOUGH BASIS TO
KNOW.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT
WE'RE SHORT OVER 400 CASE
WORKERS AND THAT NUMBER HASN'T
IMPROVED.
UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP THAT
NUMBER'S -- THE NUMBER OF CASE
WORKERS HAS DROPPED SO THERE IS
A BIGGER DEF FIT THAN WHEN HE
STARTED IN THE JOB.
THE NUMBER OF KIDS TAKEN OUT OF
THE HOME IS APPROACHING OVER
20,000 NOW THAT ARE IN EITHER
FOSTER OR CONGRA GAT CARE.
AND THE COURTS ARE BACKLOGGED.
AND WE KEEP -- AT LEAST I KEEP
ON SO DO MANY OF MY MEMBERS KEEP
ON HEARING STORIES ABOUT PARENTS
HAVING PROBLEMS IN NOT GETTING
SERVICES, NOT GETTING SERVICES
FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND
A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS.
SO IT'S NOT A PRETTY PICTURE.
THIS IS GOVERNOR DUCEY'S HAND
PICKED GUY.
WHO DOESN'T SEEM TO BE CAPABLE
OF DOING THE JOB.
IT'S A HUGE AGENCY, $850 MILLION
AGENCY.
>> SOMETIMES WE HEAR THAT IT
DOESN'T TAKE NECESSARILY MORE
MONEY, MAYBE A RESTRUCTURING OF
WHAT CURRENTLY EXISTS.
>> WELL, WE HAVE INVESTED
HEAVILY AND IT'S $850 MILLION
BUDGET, AND WHEN I ASKED THE
DIRECTOR FOR INSTANCE HOW HE IS
SPENDING HIS MONEY ON THOSE
PREVENTIVE SERVICES TO KEEP KIDS
AND PARENTS TOGETHER HE COULDN'T
GIVE ME AN ANSWER.
SO, MONEY HELPS IN SOME CASES
BUT WE NEED TO KNOW HOW IT'S
BEING SPENT AND NEED TO HOLD THE
DIRECTOR ACCOUNTABLE SO.
IF WE DO GIVE HIM MONEY IN THIS
BUDGET, WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT
THERE ARE ACCOUNTABILITY
MEASURES IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE
IT'S BEING SPENT APPROPRIATELY
AND THAT WE'RE GETTING THE
OUTCOMES WE SHOULD BE GETTING.
>> ARIZONA CONTINUES TO BE ONE
OF THE WORST STATES IN THE
COUNTRY.
WHY IS THAT?
>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE WERE
MAKING A LITTLE PROGRESS AFTER
WE REMOVED THE AGENCY AND MADE
IT A STAND ALONE UNDER DIRECTOR
FLANAGAN.
THERE WAS A NUMBER OF THE
NON-INVESTIGATED CASES AND THE
BACKLOG STARTED TO SHRINK.
BUT WE JUST AREN'T DOING WHAT
OTHER STATES HAVE DONE AND WE
PAID FOR AN AUDIT THAT SAID
THESE ARE SPECIFIC THINGS OTHER
STATES HAVE DONE THAT YOU COULD
DO TO CHANGE THE COURSE.
AND NONE OF THOSE POLICIES HAVE
BEEN ADOPTED BY DIRECTOR McKAY
AND YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE A TOOL
THAT ASSESSES A CHILD AND
WHETHER THEY ARE SAFE TO STAY IN
OR OUT OF HOME, WE AREN'T USING
AN APPROPRIATE TOOL.
AND OUR AUDITOR GENERAL SAID THE
SAME THING.
WE HAVE TO INVEST IN SERVICES
THAT KEEP KIDS IN THE HOME.
MOST OF THE KIDS COMING OUT ARE
BECAUSE OF NEGLECT.
SO THEY DON'T HAVE FOOD OR
HEALTH SERVICES OR CHILD CARE.
OR MAYBE DRUG OR ALCOHOL OR
MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.
THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE COULD
INVEST IN.
NOW THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
DOESN'T DO THAT, IN FACT IT CUTS
FUNDING FOR THAT AGAIN.
SO IT'S NOT A GOOD SITUATION.
AND WE NEED TO CHANGE COURSE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO
TAKE.
HOPEFULLY NOT A TRAGEDY.
>>> LAWMAKERS HAVE INTRODUCED
TWO CHILD SAFETY BILLS THIS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
HERE'S REPRESENTATIVE REBECCA
RIOS.
>> WE HAD TWO BILLS THIS YEAR
AND ONE OF THEM HAD TO DO WITH
THE BACKLOG AND ESSENTIALLY WENT
AS FAR AS REDEFINING THE BACK
LOG.
AND I WAS VERY OPPOSED TO THE
BILL BECAUSE NOW NOT ONLY DO WE
HAVE THE PROBLEM OF THE BACK
LOG.
NOW WE'RE CHANGING THE METRIC
HOW WE MEASURE SO IT WHEN WE
HAVE HIM COME REPORT IN THREE
MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS, IT'S GOING
TO SAY THE BACKLOG DECREASED BUT
YOUR NOT COMPARING APPLES TO
APPLES.
YOU CHANGED THE METRIC SO I'M
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BILL
GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I'M SURE THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN
IT.
IT'S AN AGENCY BILL.
THE OTHER BILL THAT I WAS VERY
VOCAL IN OPPOSITION HAS TO DO
WITH THE HOTLINE.
YOU KNOW IT'S HARD TO GET PEOPLE
TO CALL AND MAKE REPORTS WHEN
THEY THINK A CHILD ISSING ABUSED
OR NEGLECTED.
LAST YEAR THERE WERE ABOUT 100 I
THINK PER HIS REPORT, OR HIS
TESTIMONY, ABOUT 143,000 CALLS
TO THE HOT LINE.
ABOUT 43,000 ROUGHLY, ROUGH
NUMBERS, WERE INVESTIGATED.
SO HE AND THE DEPARTMENT CAME
AND HAD A BILL THAT ESSENTIALLY
SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, THERE'S ALL
OF THESE CALLS THAT REALLY WERE
NOT ABLE TO INVESTIGATE OR
WORTHY OF INVESTIGATION, SO YOU
KNOW, WE'RE JUST GOING TO ASK
YOU LEGISLATURE TO GIVE US
PERMISSION TO NOT EVEN TAKE THE
REPORT.
AND SO NOW WE HAVE A BILL GOING
THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT AGAIN,
LIMITS THE TYPES OF REPORT THAT
WILL EVEN BE TAKEN AND FOR ME
IT'S TROUBLING BECAUSE THE
HOTLINE IS THE FIRST STEP AND IF
YOU NOW PUT A BILL OUT THERE
THAT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE
PUBLIC YOU KNOW, MANY OF YOU ARE
CALLING UNNECESSARILY I THINK
YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE
CHILLING EFFECT OF PEOPLE SECOND
GUESSING THEMSELVES AND SAYING
YOU KNOW WHAT, MAYBE IT'S NOT
WHAT I THINK, MAYBE I SHOULDN'T
GET INVOLVED I'M NOT GOING TO
MAKE THAT CALL.
THE OTHER PART IS, YOU MAY HAVE
ONE OR TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT
REPORTS THAT DON'T RISE TO THE
LEVEL OF AN INVESTIGATION.
BUT THAT FOURTH REPORT COMES IN,
AND THEY ARE ABLE TO SEE A
HISTORY.
AND ABLE TO GO WAIT A MINUTE,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CALL FROM A
TEACHER AND A NEIGHBOR, SOMEBODY
GET OUT AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
NOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE
THAT HISTORY BECAUSE THIS BILL
WILL IN ESSENCE GIVE THEM
PERMISSION NOT TO TAKE EVEN
REPORTS ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF
CALLS.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY
CONCERNING.
>> ARIZONA RANKS AS ONE OF THE
WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY WHEN
IT COMES TO CHILD SAFETY.
AND SOME LAWMAKERS SAY IT WILL
TAKE TIME TO OVERHAUL THE
AGENCY.
>> REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS
ACKERLEY, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> CHILD SAFETY, WHERE IS IT
NOW?
THE NUMBERS KEEP GROWING.
WE'RE HEARING THAT THERE IS A
BLEAK PICTURE PAINTED.
>> THE NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED.
THE NUMBER OF REPORTS COMING IN
HAVE INCREASED.
WHAT THE DIRECTOR IS TESTIFIED
TO IS THAT THERE ARE RIGHT NOW
ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE
NUMBERS, BUT THAT THAT HAS NOT
ALLOWED THEM TO MAKE A WHOLE LOT
OF PROGRESS ON THE BACKLOG THAT
HAS MADE YOU KNOW, QUITE
IMPORTANTLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE
OF YEARS.
>> WHAT'S YOUR ANALYSIS OF THESE
NUMBERS?
>> I TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD.
I THINK WITH MOST OF THE WORK
THAT WE'VE DONE ON THE CHILDREN
AND FAMILY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN
THE HOUSE REVOLVED AROUND ISSUES
WITH DCS, A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT
THINGS, WE'RE WORKING ON.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT BACK
LOG AND ONE OF THE MEASURES WE
PASSED AWAITING ACTION TO
ACCEPTED TO THE SENATE IS TO
ALLOW DCS TO CONTRACT WITH
OUTSIDE PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO
CLEAR SOME OF THAT BACK LOG.
I KNOW IN A LOT OF AREAS THERE
ARE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT
WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND DCS AND A NUMBER
OF SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THEY
HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HELP WITH
THAT.
SO, ALLOWING THEM TO DO SOME OF
THAT WORK TO START WORKING DOWN
THAT BACK LOG.
>> WHY DOES THIS CONTINUE TO BE
SUCH A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THIS
STATE?
>> WELL, IT'S A CRUCIAL ISSUE.
AND DUE TO THE LIFE AND DEATH
NATURE OF THE ISSUE.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY
THERE ARE CAPACITY ISSUES AND WE
HAVE TO ADDRESS THOSE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY KIDS'
SAFETY AND SOMETIMES THEIR LIVES
HANG IN THE BALANCE SO WE HAVE
TO GET IT RIGHT.
THERE IS NO QUESTION WE HAVE TO
GET IT RIGHT.
>> ARE THERE CHANGES YOU SEE AS
SNAG COULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY
MAYBE WE'RE NOT CURRENTLY DOING
AS A STATE?
>> DCS DOESN'T HAVE RIGHT NOW
SORT OF A UNIFORM THAT IS
PUBLICIZED CRITERIA ON HOW THEY
ARE WORKING THROUGH CASES.
EACH ONE OF MY UNDERSTANDING IS
THAT EACH ONE OF THE FIELD
OFFICES HAS SOMETHING IN PLACE,
BUT IT'S NOT UNIFORM ACROSS THE
SYSTEM AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT PEOPLE CAN POINT TO TO
EVALUATE JUDGMENTS, THAT CREATES
A LOT OF CONFUSION.
THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM.
SO ONE OF THE MEASURES SPONSORED
BY REPRESENTATIVE TOWNSEND IS TO
SAY OKAY, YOU HAVE TO ADOPT AND
PUBLISH A UNIFORM SET OF
CRITERIA THAT'S GOING TO APPLY
TO ALL OF THE OFFICES ABOUT HOW
YOU'RE MAKING DECISIONS AS TO
WHETHER TO REMOVE OR NOT REMOVE
CHILDREN.
OBVIOUSLY THERE'S GOING TO BE
DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO VARY
FROM THAT.
YOU CAN'T BASE EVERYTHING ON A
CHECK LIST.
THAT WOULDN'T BE IN THE BEST
INTEREST OF THE KIDS BUT IT
GIVES YOU A METRICS TO SAY IF
YOU ARE GOING TO DIFFER THEN
WHAT IS THE REASONING FOR THAT.
RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT THAT
REASONING AND IT LEADS TO A LOT
OF CONFUSION.
>> WHAT IS MOST BOTHERSOME ABOUT
WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THIS AGENCY?
>> I THINK WHAT'S MOST
BOTHERSOME IS THAT FRANKLY WE
LET IT GET TO THIS POINT.
THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SYSTEMWIDE
BREAKDOWN.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IS
STARTING TO IMPROVE BUT WE STILL
HAVE IN THE AGENCY STILL HAS
TREMENDOUS TURNOVER.
UNTIL THAT PROBLEM GETS SOLVED I
DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO
MAKE A LOT OF HEADWAY ON THAT
CULTURAL SHIFT THAT NEEDS TO
HAPPEN UNTIL THEY CAN STABILIZE
THE EMPLOYEES AT THE AGENCY.
SO THAT YOU HAVE THAT
INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE AND YOU'RE NOT
RETRAINING EMPLOYEES.
OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM.
FOR ALL OF US AT ARIZONA PUBLIC
MEDIA, I'M LORRAINE RIVERA.