Enough is Enough

It seems like every day we hear tragic news about children removed from their homes because the parents are drug addicted or perpetrators of domestic violence, only to be returned to those same homes to suffer horrible abuse and death. The new transparency laws have told us a lot in the past month: the heartbreaking truth is that we do not have the laws in place to protect these vulnerable children.

I am steadfastly and resolutely committed to reforming our laws to ensure our most vulnerable children are safe. They must have a safe home environment, the stability of a real and forever family, and the opportunity to thrive. Family reunification is a noble goal, but it only works if there is a real family. We must put in place laws and policy that ensure both the child’s permanency AND safety. We must hold parents accountable and provide ongoing support to ensure they maintain their commitment to be parents. Most of all, we must stop putting children back into unsafe homes where terrible consequences can occur. Our job as a legislature will only be complete when these tragedies stop occurring with such awful frequency.

As the Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee for the Department of Child Safety, I am working closely with Governor Ducey and his staff to build upon the reforms establishing the new Department of Child Safety in May 2014, and the transparency laws adopted this last session. In that role I have been contacted by the media seeking comment reforms to the agency. The links below are recent stories and media interviews about the agency’s operations and potential legislation.

Many foster parents, grandparents and service providers have reached out to me and shared their stories and experiences. My thanks to them for their courageous insights and needed perspectives. Based on their testimony, I believe I’m on the right track.

Sincerely,

Horizon Interview: Child Abuse Cases

Continued problems with how the state is handling child-abuse cases are resulting in calls by one lawmaker for more safeguards when children are re-united with high-risk parents.

WATCH NOW

Into the mind of Kate Brophy McGee

How do you assess the transition from CPS to DCS? The transition is every bit as complicated as was promised. The statutes enacting the agency are clean, and provide a clear framework, but establishing the new agency, from offices to website, hiring and training caseworkers and supervisors...

READ MORE

Let's keep an eye on parents after returning their kids

Our View: Parents who were too high to care for their child need to prove that's no longer the case — even after they get them back....

READ MORE

Andrew Isaacs update: New details released in Mesa toddler's death

AMESA, AZ - The Department of Child Safety has released new information about the history of a Mesa toddler who died last week. 21-month-old Joylynne Giebel was living in a Mesa apartment with her mother, step father and four-year-old brother.

WATCH NOW

WRITING CONGRESS MADE EASY

Writing Congress is now easier than ever. During our relaunch of Congress.org last week, we removed the requirement that you register and log in every time you want to write your lawmakers.
Now, all you need to do is click on the words "Join the Conversation, Write Your Lawmakers" in the upper-right corner of the site.
Or, you can click on the link below to be taken to a form to write all of your federal representatives at one time.
Write all your federal representatives at one time.
Write all of your state lawmakers at one time.