Arizona Foster Care Review Board—Enhanced Board Member Recruitment, Timely Submission of All Case Review Reports, Increased Caseworker Participation at Reviews, and Reporting on Child Welfare System Recommendations and Program Metrics Needed

The Arizona Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) reviews and coordinates the activities of local foster care review boards (local boards) that advise the juvenile court regarding the permanent placement of children who have been placed in out-of-home care by the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS). The FCRB should evaluate and enhance its strategies for board member recruitment because 70 percent of local boards have fewer than the statutorily prescribed five members. Further, although 90 percent of the local boards’ reports were submitted to the juvenile court in a timely manner in cases reviewed, the FCRB should ensure that all reports are submitted in a timely manner so as not to negatively impact court hearings. Additionally, the FCRB should continue working with the DCS to increase DCS caseworker attendance at local board reviews. Finally, the FCRB should resume providing recommendations to help improve the child welfare system and reporting on key program metrics to stakeholders.