Ariz. Rev. Stat. » Title 8
Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-451 (2026)

Department; purpose

✓ current as of May 2026
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8-451. Department; purpose

A. The department of child safety is established.

B. The primary purpose of the department is to protect children.  To achieve this purpose, the department shall do and focus equally on the following:

1. Investigate reports of abuse and neglect.

2. Assess, promote and support the safety of a child in a safe and stable family or other appropriate placement in response to allegations of abuse or neglect.

3. Work cooperatively with law enforcement regarding reports that include criminal conduct allegations.

4. Without compromising child safety, coordinate services to achieve and maintain permanency on behalf of the child, strengthen the family and provide prevention, intervention and treatment services pursuant to this chapter.

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 2015–2024 · leading case: Lorenz v. State, 364 P.3d 475 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015).
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Lorenz v. State, 364 P.3d 475 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). “Consistent with this overarching purpose, each of the statutes and regulations Grandparents cite makes clear that the intent is to protect dependent children, not the interests of potential foster or adoptive placements. ¶ 15 A.”
Alma S. v. Dep't of Child Saf., 418 P.3d 925 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 2× “2d 551 (1972) ; A.R.S. §§ 8-451, -457; Mary Lou C. v. Ariz.”
Phillip G. v. Hon korbin-steiner/dcs, 542 P.3d 664 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “A.R.S. § 8-451(B). Toward that end, the legislature has tasked the Department with, among other responsibilities, responding to reports of child abuse or neglect and ensuring children remain in a “safe and stable” environment while “strengthen[ing] the family.”
Ploof v. Thal (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 4× “See A.R.S. § 8-451(A), (B). And DCS investigates abuse reports, relies on experts, and provides services to children and families to achieve this purpose.”
Lemay v. Dcs (Ariz. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 3× “DCS must also “maintain a central registry of reports of child abuse and neglect that are substantiated.” § 8-804(A).”
Rosenberg v. Conzoner (Ariz. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. §§ 8-451 to - 892. The legislature granted DCS—an executive agency—authority to investigate reports of child abuse under title 8.”
In Re Term of Parental Rights as to A.F. (Ariz. Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 2× “” A.R.S. § 8-451(B); see also A.R.S. § 8-457(B)(1) (“The health and safety of the child is the primary concern.”
Neeley v. Arizona, State of (D. Ariz. 2022). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. §§ 8-451–8- 23 892. Therefore, DCS may not be sued, and the state law claims against it are dismissed 24 with prejudice.”
Macias v. Kaplan-Seikmann (D. Ariz. 2022). · cites it 2× “23, 2017) (citing A.R.S. §§ 8-451 to -892); see also 26 Neeley v.”
Campbell v. Hobbs (D. Ariz. 2023). · cites it 2× “24 See A.R.S. §§ 8-451–8-892. Therefore, DCS may not be sued, and the claims against it 25 are dismissed with prejudice.”
Beas-Campo v. Case (D. Ariz. 2023). · cites it 2× “23, 2017) (citing Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 8-451 to -892); see also Neeley v.”
Stevens v. Arizona, State of (D. Ariz. 2024). · cites it 2× “See Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 8-451 to -892; 23 East v.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-451(A) — 1 case
Ploof v. Thal (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “See A.R.S. § 8-451(A), (B). And DCS investigates abuse reports, relies on experts, and provides services to children and families to achieve this purpose.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-451(B) — 4 cases
Lorenz v. State, 364 P.3d 475 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2015). “Consistent with this overarching purpose, each of the statutes and regulations Grandparents cite makes clear that the intent is to protect dependent children, not the interests of potential foster or adoptive placements. ¶ 15 A.”
Phillip G. v. Hon korbin-steiner/dcs, 542 P.3d 664 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “A.R.S. § 8-451(B). Toward that end, the legislature has tasked the Department with, among other responsibilities, responding to reports of child abuse or neglect and ensuring children remain in a “safe and stable” environment while “strengthen[ing] the family.”
Ploof v. Thal (Ariz. Ct. App. 2023). “See A.R.S. § 8-451(A), (B). And DCS investigates abuse reports, relies on experts, and provides services to children and families to achieve this purpose.”
In Re Term of Parental Rights as to A.F. (Ariz. Ct. App. 2024). “” A.R.S. § 8-451(B); see also A.R.S. § 8-457(B)(1) (“The health and safety of the child is the primary concern.”
— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-451(B)(1) — 1 case
Lemay v. Dcs (Ariz. Ct. App. 2022). “DCS must also “maintain a central registry of reports of child abuse and neglect that are substantiated.” § 8-804(A).”
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