Chapter 3 : Section 9.3

Responding to Trafficked Youth with DCS Involvement

Procedures

Immediate Contact and Response

In addition to procedures in Disposition of Reports and Initial Response, upon receipt of a Report for investigation that contains sex trafficking allegations, the DCS Program Supervisor, OCWI Manager or other designated staff acting in a supervisor role will initiate a referral to the CReST Coordinator via email at TraffickedYouthServices@azdcs.gov. The DCS Program Supervisor, OCWI Manager or other designated staff acting in a supervisor role will copy the assigned DCS Specialist or OCWI Investigator and provide the following information in the body of the email:

• the Assessment ID number;

• the Assessment Name; and

• the name (s) of the child(ren) believed to be a victim of sex trafficking.

The DCS Specialist or OCWI Investigator shall coordinate a joint investigation with law enforcement and make immediate contact with the child victim to assess the child’s safety and well-being. See Initial Contact and Conducting Interviews and Investigations Involving Allegations of Criminal Conduct.

If, during the course of an investigation, the DCS Specialist or OCWI Investigator determines that the minor victim has been trafficked by someone other than their parent, guardian, custodian or adult member of their household, the DCS Specialist or OCWI Investigator shall immediately provide the information, except the identity of the reporting source, to the appropriate law enforcement agency where the trafficking or exploitation occurred, or if unknown, the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where it was reported.

Upon completion of the Family Functioning Assessment – Investigation, if the child is assessed as safe and the child’s identified needs can be met by a community-based or DCS-referred service and the family does not require DCS intervention to encourage and monitor service participation, and the family is in agreement, the DCS Specialist will complete an Aftercare Plan with the child and family and close the assessment. See Aftercare Planning and Services.

If the child has been determined to be in present or impending danger and there is no less intrusive alternative to taking temporary custody of the child that would reasonably and sufficiently protect the child’s health or safety, follow procedures in Temporary Custody.

The DCS Specialist will send an email to TraffickedYouthServices@azdcs.gov to inform the CReST Coordinators that the child has been removed.

Within 24 hours of removal, the DCS Specialist will submit an Integrated Rapid Response Assessment (IRRA) Referral through the Solari DCS Submission Portal.

The DCS Specialist will ensure that the child receives a medical assessment. Contact the CReST Coordinators at TraffickedYouthServices@azdcs.gov for questions about where to take the child to receive a medical assessment.

The DCS Specialist will follow procedures in Selecting an Out-of-Home Caregiver to ensure the child is provided with a caregiver that addresses the child’s needs.

For Children in DCS Custody

When information is received that a child in out-of-home care is a confirmed, or suspected victim of sex trafficking, the DCS Specialist shall contact the appropriate law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where the trafficking occurred, or if unknown, the law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction where it was reported.

The DCS Specialist will email the Victim Services Unit at TraffickedYouthServices@azdcs.gov for assignment to a CReST Coordinator. See DCS 09-07 Coordinated Response for Survivors of Trafficking for more information.

A suspected or confirmed victim may need immediate behavioral/physical health intervention if they cannot cope with or lack the skills to handle their current or past sex trafficking victimization.

The DCS Specialist must determine whether the child needs immediate behavioral health and/or physical health intervention provided by either a facility-based or mobile based provider. A child is recommended for immediate behavioral health and/or physical health intervention if they exhibit danger to self or others, including but are not limited to:

• self-harm;

• high-risk sexual behavior;

• lack of insight into consequences of behaviors, physical aggression;

• substance abuse;

• neglect of health and well-being;

• repeated running away;

• gang affiliation;

• delinquency; and/or

• physical health concerns (bruises, injuries, presence of STDs, possibility of pregnancy, or not taking medications).

If it is determined that the child is need of immediate behavioral health and/or physical health intervention, the DCS Specialist will:

• utilize crisis or emergency department services to assess the child’s medical and behavioral needs;

• ensure behavioral health enrollment;

• follow the clinical recommendations made by the provider; and

• follow placement recommendations (e.g. Level 1 or back to the community).

If the child does not require immediate behavioral health and/or physical health intervention, the DCS Specialist will ensure the child is open for behavioral health services, attend the CFT meeting, and follow the CFT recommendations.

Documentation

The CReST Coordinator will enter the Sex Trafficking Detail tab in Guardian.

The CReST Coordinator, or other designated staff, will upload the results of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Tool (CSE-IT) in the Sex Trafficking Detail tab in Guardian.

Upload a copy of the medical/behavioral health assessment, Individual Service Plans, treatment summaries, evaluation documentation, Termination Notices, Notice of Action, and other pertinent information about services and progress received from the behavioral health provider in Guardian as an Artifact.

Effective Date: September 8, 2025

Revision History: