The Future Of Arizona Child Protective Services

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - 2:07pm
Updated: Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - 2:55pm
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An exploration of what is next or should be next for Arizona's Child Protective Services. Last week, Department of Economic Services Director Clarence Carter revealed that 6,000 reported cases of possible child abuse were set aside and not investigated.

Some are calling for Carter to resign his position, but Gov. Jan Brewer said she is not going to take any action until the state Department of Public Safety finishes looking into the situation.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery was co-chair of the governor's Child Safety Task Force with Carter.

We have been talking about problems with Arizona's CPS system, but why is CPS so necessary? Why are so many kids being abused or mistreated by parents, the ones who are supposed to raise and protect them? Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Shayne Tomisato of Desert Horizon Psychiatric Services and the Maricopa Integrated Health System discussed this issue.