If you are familiar with ASA
Now you will see #19,000 reasons. That is the number of children in foster care
in Arizona. There are so many children in need of a good home. Those who take
on this task are to be applauded.
The job, like parenthood is
rewarding. Being able to hold that small sleeping child, to comfort these
children. The smell of baby powder and fresh laundry. Watching a child take
their first step, or their face light up when they learn something new. There
is nothing like it. These moments in each parent’s life are heart bursting.
They well up such joy inside us, it can’t be contained.
I’m going to be honest with
you. Being a foster parent isn’t for the weak. The joy’s and triumphs come with
pain and heart break. Watching a child go on visits and come back emotionally
hurting is hard. Sending a child back to their parents or onto a new family, is
heart wrenching. It’s not easy to connect with a child then watch them go.
Why do we do it?
Because at the end of the
day there is a need. Children in foster care need a place to call home. Broken
families sometimes just need a little help to get better.
At ASA Now our goal is to
help families in any way that we can. One of the ways we are doing that is by
making the laws you are affected by understandable. We will be doing a series
of blogs focusing on the laws that govern DCS, foster and adoptive families.
DCS is governed by the
Arizona Revised Statutes Title 8, Chapter 4. This applies to what their job
title is and how they are run. Please be advised this is not legal advice. This
is to inform, if you have any further questions please contact an attorney.
The Purpose of DCS is
outlined as A.R.S. 8-451 Department; Purpose.
A.
The department
of child safety is established
B.
The primary
purpose of the department is to protect children. To achieve this purpose, the
department shall do and focus equally on the following:
1.
Investigate
reports of abuse and neglect.
2.
Assess, promote
and support the safety of a child in a safe or stable family or other appropriate
placement in response to allegations of abuse or neglect.
3.
Work
cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal
conduct allegations.
4.
Without
compromising child safety, coordinate services to achieve and maintain permanency
on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention,
intervention and treatment services pursuant to this chapter.
