By admin 
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Child Safety is making progress in how it handles non-criminal child abuse investigations.
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A follow-up report shows the agency is implementing 12 of 15 recommendations made by the state auditor general last year.
Key areas of improvement include:
-Informing individuals under non-criminal investigations of their rights and the specific allegations against them.
-Completing and properly documenting key investigative steps and obtaining sufficient evidence to complete abuse and neglect investigations.
-Adding investigator positions to finish investigations in a timely manner and to identify and address common reasons for delays.
This month, the Arizona Auditor General’s Office released two new audits involving the Department of Child Safety.
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One audit found deficiencies in how the agency handles abuse allegations involving group home staff members in a way that fully addresses safety threats.
The other urged DCS to update joint investigation protocols with law enforcement agencies related to criminal abuse and neglect cases.
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