In Arizona, family preservation and reunification is the ultimate goal in cases of child removal, with the exception of cases involving sexual abuse. Every resource must be used to attempt to achieve this goal. The State of Arizona prefers that the child is placed in the least restrictive environment. The following is considered least restrictive to most restrictive environments: parents, kinship, licensed foster placements, group home, and shelter care. Kinship is always encouraged to become licensed, because more resources are available to them and they are reimbursed significantly more than if unlicensed. If kinship is unavailable, they place children based on availability anywhere in the State of Arizona. A vast shortage of foster care homes is a tremendous problem and can cause many children to be placed far away from their homes.

When a child is removed, a team decision-making meeting takes place. The DCS employee and their supervisor, the parents and any of their support, and the outside agencies involved give their input and try to determine the best next step for the child or children. The child can remain at home or be removed after the team decision-making meeting. The child may be removed voluntarily, in which case the parents willingly allow the state to take temporary custody of their child for up to 90 days while they remedy their situation. Once children are placed in licensed foster homes, group homes, or shelter care, they are required within a certain time period to be taken to a medical and dental check-up. Children are automatically enrolled in the Comprehensive Medical and Dental Program (CMDP), in which they are provided coverage for everything but braces. Monthly child and family team meetings, which include service providers, take place to identify and assess any issues that the child may be having. If the child is having issues, they have access to therapy, family therapy, support groups, skill building, and countless other services. During this entire process, the child’s health and well-being is paramount.