Chapter 3: Section 11.6

Investigations Involving Department of Child Safety Employees

Policy

The Department shall conduct investigations in a manner to ensure the safety of the child and protect the privacy and confidentiality of the employee when the Report:

Alleges abuse or neglect of a child by a Department employee; or
Involves an employee's child.

A Department employee as referenced in this policy includes all employees of the Department and the Protective Services Section of the Attorney General’s (AG's) Office.

The Department shall refer any Report alleging the abuse or neglect of a child by an employee or any Report alleging an employee's child is the victim of abuse or neglect directly to the Deputy Director of Field Operations.

The Department requires each employee to notify their immediate supervisor when identified as a subject of a child abuse or neglect Report; this is a condition of continuing employment with the Department.

Procedures

Hotline

If a person is believed to be an employee of the Department or Protective Services Section of the AG’s Office, which includes any parent, guardian and/or custodian, conduct a search to verify employment in:

Guardian;
State Employee Directory book at State of Arizona External Phone Book or State of Arizona Employee Directory;
internal regional employee lists; and
Outlook address book.

All Intakes regarding employees are confidential. The Intake Specialist taking an employee communication discusses the communication as needed directly with the Intake Supervisor or designee maintaining the strictest confidence, and does not discuss the communication with any other Department employee.

If it is determined an incoming communication pertains to a DCS employee:

notify the Intake Supervisor or Intake Program Specialist; and
define which individual is the employee in the narrative.

If the communication meets Report criteria enter the Intake and contact the Deputy Director of Field Operations.

If there is an Employee Report flag on the existing person record, the Intake Specialist will consult with an Intake Supervisor or Intake Program Specialist for further direction.

If the Intake Unit receives a Report on a foster parent who is also an employee, assign the Report as an Employee Report. The Intake Specialist shall indicate in the narrative that the employee is a foster parent.

If the Intake Unit receives a communication from a source whose complaint is regarding the performance of an employee, do not enter into Guardian. After determining the source does not have concerns about the welfare of children, the Intake Specialist may refer the caller to:

the appropriate DCS Program Supervisor, Program Manager or OCWI Manager if the caller has not already informed that person of the concern;
the DCS Office of the Ombudsman; or
an Intake Supervisor if the concern is immediate or the caller cannot be referred to those noted above.

If the Intake Unit receives a communication after the employee leaves Department employment, the Intake Unit Program Manager or designee removes the flag on all communications and person records.

Investigation of Employee Reports

The Intake Unit Program Manager or designee sends an e-mail to the Deputy Director of Field Operations with notification of the Report of a Department employee. The Deputy Director of Field Operations develops a plan of action for the investigation of the Report, to include assignment and coordination with the OCWI, if applicable.

The Deputy Director of Field Operations may request that another region or local office outside the geographical area of the employee’s place of residence investigate the Report. The employee shall not be notified of the Report and confidential information shall not be released without the written consent of the alleged abusive caretaker.

If another region or local office is requested to investigate the Report, the Program Manager or Program Administrator will respond within 24 hours of the request to approve the request. The Program Administrator may need to request additional information.

The assigned investigator completes the investigation according to DCS Policy. Once a findings decision has been reached, the investigator will consult with the Program Administrator prior to the closure of the investigation.