The Drug Endangered Children Program has continued to address effectively the needs of children found within meth lab environments and to prosecute those responsible for their suffering. Funding provided by the Governor’s Office of Children, Youth and Families along with assistance from collaborative partners have allowed the Attorney General’s Office to complete key accomplishments.

This report provides information relative to reports of child abuse and neglect, investigations, shelter and receiving home services, foster homes, length of care, and adoptions. We continue to work diligently to improve the quality of services for children and their families. Compiling this report provides us another opportunity to review our work and consider new ways to improve.

The wild land/urban interface is a concern in Coconino County because of the potential for wild land fuels to ignite combustible structures and vice-versa. Destroying homes, property, and trees is just one way that wildfire harms an area. Wildfires can destroy habitat, soils, and forest health, disrupting economic stability, transportation corridors, recreation opportunities, water supplies, and scenery, as well as undermining a community’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfire is a priority in the wild land/urban interface. This plan outlines actions needed to prepare and equip the greater Flagstaff community to live and thrive within our fire-adapted ponderosa pine forests.

The best setting for abused or neglected children who are removed from their homes is a family-based setting, such as with a relative or in licensed foster care. Because it is not family-based, congregate care, such as emergency shelters, group homes, and residential treatment centers, is the least preferred placement option. However, the number of Arizona children and the length of time they are in congregate care has increased and as a result, the costs for this placement type nearly doubled between fiscal years 2009 and 2013. Contributing to the increase in congregate care use is an inadequate supply of foster care homes; various state practices, including some related to permanency goals and activities; and inadequate access to behavioral health services. Although the Arizona Department of Child Safety has taken some steps to reduce the use of congregate care, it should consider other states’ experiences to identify multiple strategies for reducing its use.