The DCS investigation process in Arizona is structured, fast-moving, and often confusing for parents. Whether you’re facing your first contact or already in the thick of it, understanding the steps involved can help you navigate the system more confidently.
Step 1: Report and Hotline Review
Anyone—neighbors, teachers, doctors—can make a report to the DCS Hotline. Once a report is made, the intake team determines whether the allegations warrant investigation.
If the report meets criteria, a case is opened and assigned to a caseworker.
Step 2: Initial Contact
The investigator will try to make contact within 48 hours (sooner for high-risk cases). They may:
- Visit your home
- Interview your child, possibly without you present
- Ask questions about parenting, discipline, or substance use
Tip: You have the right to consult with an attorney and do not have to answer every question on the spot.
Step 3: Safety Assessment and Temporary Decisions
If the investigator believes there’s imminent danger, they may:
- Remove the child temporarily without a court order
- Propose a Safety Plan to avoid removal (e.g., placing the child with a relative)
- Refer the case to Dependency Court
Step 4: Case Decision
After gathering information, DCS may:
- Unsubstantiated: Close the case with no further action
- Substantiated: Proceed with services, court involvement, or potential removal
The case decision must be made within 60 days unless extended.
Step 5: Ongoing Case Management
If the case is substantiated, a long-term caseworker takes over. You’ll attend team meetings, follow a case plan, and possibly go through dependency court.
At Modern Law, we guide you through every step—ensuring you don’t face this system without expert help.
