Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-209 - Runaway and Missing Children

A. The Agency shall have written policy and procedures, consistent with the requirements of this Chapter, for responding to a child in care who has run away or is otherwise a missing child.

B. The Agency's policy and procedure shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. The Agency's strategies for making children feel safe and welcomed;

2. Notification shall be provided to the:

a. Local law enforcement agency,

b. Placing Entity or person who placed the child with the Agency, and

c. Administrator of the child's facility or that person's designee;

3. Timeframes for notification to the entities detailed in R21-7-207 ;

4. How to submit an incident report to the Placing Entity or person who placed the child with the Agency; and

5. Ensure the safety of a runaway or missing child who returns to the licensee, including:

a. Interviewing the child to determine the factors that led to the child's absence from the facility;

b. Determining the child's experiences while absent from care, including whether the child is a victim of a crime or sex trafficking; and

c. Determining substance use by the child in care that could result in emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, or overdose.

C. The Agency shall provide direct care staff information on reasons why children run away.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-209

New Section made by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 2231, effective 11/6/2023.