Budget Request May Enable Child Protective Services To Hire Nearly 400 More Workers

Staff and funding shortages at Arizona’s Child Protective Services have been troublesome for many years. The situation had become so stark that the most recent legislative session got started with an overwhelming vote in favor of emergency funding for CPS, but Clarence Carter, director of the state Department of Economic Security which oversees CPS, has made a significant budget request for the next fiscal year. The request includes $24 million to hire nearly 400 additional CPS workers and support staff. Carter discussed the budget and related issues.