8-458. Inspections bureau; monitoring and evaluation; quality assurance process

288 words·~1 min read·/az/title-8/8-458

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. The director shall establish an inspections bureau to do both of the following:

1. Ensure that department policies and procedures are being followed by all staff in accordance with federal and state law.

2. Promptly notify the director of department actions that constitute a significant violation of policy or state or federal law.

B. The inspections bureau shall monitor specific programs and services and shall continuously improve the practices of the department. Monitoring and evaluation:

1. May be by formal audits, various levels of inspections, program evaluation and any other quality assurance activity deemed appropriate by the director.

2. Must include suggestions for policy changes and evaluation of best practices and programming.

C. The inspections bureau shall issue a report that clearly states the justification for any proposed change in a standardized hotline assessment tool that is not a result of legislative action or an adopted administrative rule. The inspections bureau shall submit this report to the joint legislative oversight committee on the department of child safety established by section 41-1292 at least thirty days before the proposed change in a standardized hotline assessment tool is implemented.

D. The department shall establish a quality assurance process and methodology by which data-based decisions are made. This process must include consistently measuring process outcomes and examining current practices through quality assurance activities. The department shall use this quality assurance data to establish appropriate programs and improve practices within the department.

E. If possible, the inspections bureau shall attempt to correct the problems at the immediate level by coaching, mentoring and teaching employees who are present during the inspection.

F. The inspections bureau shall have access to all records and information of the department necessary to carry out this section.