State of Arizona Archives: on Families & Children
Martha McSally:
Provide funding for home- and community-based services
Q: Your senior care policy?A: More seniors prefer to receive care in the comfort of their home. Home-based care is also less costly than long-term care facilities. We should provide sufficient funding for home-
and community-based services and work to ensure more seniors, including older veterans, can get the support and services for the care they need in their homes.
Source: AARP Survey on 2020 Arizona Senate race
Oct 9, 2020
Mark Kelly:
Everyone deserves decent paid family leave policy
As a spouse who had to balance work and caring for an injured family member after his wife Gabby was shot, Mark knows that everyone in this country deserves a decent paid family leave policy--and that doesn't mean telling folks to borrow
against their own savings and then work longer and longer. Equal pay is a justice and family issue, and women of color are more likely to be subject to wage discrimination.
Source: 2020 Arizona Senate campaign website MarkKelly.com
Jan 15, 2020
Doug Ducey:
I support traditional marriage, but let gay couples adopt
Q: Support LGBTQ rights?Doug Ducey (R): Somewhat. Personally supports "traditional marriage" but supports letting married same-sex couples adopt & raise foster children.
David Garcia (D): Yes. Will prohibit state employees & state contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Arizona Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Mark Brnovich:
Combat the serious problem of elder abuse
Elder abuse is becoming a focus of the nation's state attorneys general for the next year. Abuse numbers are staggering for the problem, which is often in the shadows, warned Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the new president of the National
Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).He pointed to estimates that one out of every 10 people 65 and over and living at home will become an abuse victim. "As the population age 65 and older continues to grow, it is clear that we all need to do more
to combat this serious problem," Schmidt said in a press release. "My hope is that when this year is ended, we have identified some of the best ideas from around the country and made them readily available to adapt for other states."
His push for
the state law enforcement chiefs will cumulate in a two-day NAAG conference on the issue next April. Schmidt, a Republican, has put together a bipartisan elder abuse working group for the association that includes attorney generals Mark Brnovich (R-AZ).
Source: Financial Adviser on 2022 Arizona Senate race
Aug 18, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Automatically screen all babies for SCID
Every year, babies across the country are born with Severe Combined Immuno Deficiency--SCID. It's a rare genetic disorder that if not detected and treated early, is deadly. A baby born in Arizona today is automatically screened for a number of diseases--
but not for SCID. Let's change that, by adding SCID to the list. We have the power to save these precious human lives. So let's act with urgency.All of us who are blessed to be parents know the joy a child brings into our lives.
Not to the mention the late nights. The bond between a newborn baby and its mother is uniquely special. [Some programs] allow new moms and dads to bring their babies to work the first six months.
The results have been impressive, and we plan to expand it even more. It's a win-win-win--increased productivity, quality employees less likely to leave state service, and most important--happy babies.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Grandmother Stipend: fund foster care for relatives
I want to acknowledge the community and faith-based organizations who participate in our state's revolutionary prevention model--the care portal. These organizations help hundreds of families in crisis by lending a helping hand when one is
desperately needed.And in cases where the state must intervene, we are seeing some positive trends. For the first time in seven years: More children are leaving the care of the state, than entering it.
Our foster families are the unsung heroes in this tragedy. [Sometimes] aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers, who raise these children as their own. This is often a better option for a child than going to an unfamiliar family.
But unlike other foster families, these family members receive little assistance for taking in their nephew or grandchild. So let's change that, with a "Grandmother Stipend"--providing these families with resources to raise these children.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 9, 2017
Doug Ducey:
Publicly shame fathers behind on child support
For fathers out there who aren't meeting their child support obligations--for too long, you've been able to remain anonymous--able to skirt your financial and legal responsibilities with no shame. Not anymore. Effective immediately, the state is going
to begin posting the photos, names and money owed by these losers to social media, with the hash-tag "deadbeat." It's simple. If you're old enough to father a child, then you're old enough to accept financial responsibility for that child.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Arizona legislature
Jan 11, 2016
Doug Ducey:
Serving Arizona: highlight volunteer and charitable efforts
With all our renewed focus on opportunity in Arizona, it's worth remembering that the best of these can be opportunities to serve. In November, I launched an effort during the holiday season called "Serving Arizona" to highlight volunteer and charitable
efforts throughout our state. Visit these food banks and shelters and you'll see first-hand those who are struggling the most in our communities. You'll also see the best of our state--people taking a little bit of time out of their busy days
to help those most in need. Maybe it's serving lunches. Maybe it's packing food baskets. Maybe it's reading to a child. Whatever it is, these selfless Arizonans are an example for those of us elected to represent them.Christmas season has come and
gone, but Serving Arizona has not. Giving more to charities close to our heart is always a good thing, but there is nothing like giving your time, and I hope with this effort to encourage that spirit.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Arizona Legislature
Jan 12, 2015
Fred DuVal:
Expand Department of Child Safety against child abuse
Q: Will you continue to fund the Department of Child Safety?A: As a parent, I was horrified when I learned that more than 6,500 allegations of child abuse and neglect were swept into a drawer marked "Do Not Open." I'm glad that Governor Brewer has tak
Source: KSAZ Fox 10 Phoenix on 2014 Arizona governor race
Jul 28, 2014
Fred DuVal:
Close "Age Loophole": hard time for soliciting a minor
Our law enforcement community has experience that matters when it comes to keeping kids safe. While there are many times when a child must be removed from a home for their safety, we should ensure there are law enforcement instant response teams
available in every community to remove criminals, not innocent children.- Ensuring Criminal Investigations Don't Fall Through the Cracks: Arizonans deserve better than silence when a child suffers abuse.
- Closing the "Age Loophole":
Now is the time to close the loophole that allows criminals to pay for sex with minors and get away with reduced prison time simply because our laws aren't tough enough when the child is over the age of 14. When it comes to prosecuting the perpetrators
of sex crimes against children, we don't have time for rationalizations that only serve to protect criminals. If you solicit a minor, you're going to do hard time--end of story.
Source: 2014 Arizona gubernatorial campaign website, Fred2014.com
Jul 2, 2014
Jan Brewer:
Office of Child Welfare Investigations is first step
Our immediate challenge is to transform our child protection system to ensure the safety and well-being of Arizona's abused and neglected children. I know this: All of us care, and Arizona MUST do better. We created the Office of Child Welfare
Investigations as an instrumental first step. Thanks to OCWI, we discovered the horrifying truth that some at CPS failed to investigate, or even respond to, thousands of reports of child abuse. This is unconscionable!I created the independent CARE
Team--to oversee the investigation of these cases and to identify areas of concern within CPS. I also ordered the Department of Public Safety to conduct an administrative review to determine why these cases were not investigated.
It is evident that our
child welfare system is broken--impeded by years of structural and operational failures. It breaks my heart and makes me angry! Enough with uninvestigated reports of abuse and neglect! Enough with the lack of transparency! And ENOUGH with the EXCUSES!
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Arizona legislature
Jan 13, 2014
Jan Brewer:
Arizona's abused and neglected children need help
On behalf of Arizona's abused and neglected children, in 2011, I convened a Child Safety Task Force. Now, we've improved operations at Child Protective Services...- by overhauling the hotline system so the most urgent calls are directed for faster
response
- by streamlining the hiring process to ensure every available caseworker position is filled
- and by cutting paperwork burdens so caseworkers spend more time checking up on children.
Despite these efforts, there can be no doubt our system
of child safety is under pressure. Arizona's abused and neglected children need help. The Executive budget will add 150 CPS caseworkers and boost foster care, adoption services and emergency placement of children needing rescue. Let's come together for
the safety of our children. We cannot strike evil from the hearts of those who would harm an innocent child. But these common sense steps will help at-risk children get the assistance they need before it's too late.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to Arizona Legislature
Jan 14, 2013
Rick Santorum:
Contraception for teens helps fix fracturing families
Q: You told an evangelical blog, if elected, you will talk about what "no president has talked about before--the dangers of contraception." Why?SANTORUM: I was talking about a society with an increasing number of children being born out of wedlock,
and teens who are sexually active. What we're seeing is a problem in our culture with respect to children being raised by children, children being raised out of wedlock, and the impact on society economically, the impact on society with respect to drug
use and a host of other things when children have children. The family is fracturing. Over 40% of children born in America are born out of wedlock. How can a country survive if children are being raised in homes where it's so much harder to succeed
economically? The left gets all upset. "Oh, look at him talking about these things." You know, here's the difference between me and the left, and they don't get this. Just because I'm talking about it doesn't mean I want a government program to fix it.
Source: CNN's 2012 GOP Debate on eve of Arizona Primary
Feb 22, 2012
Janet Napolitano:
Reform and additional funds for Child Protective Services
Our most basic obligation to our children must be to ensure their safety, and that starts with a well-supported, well-run Child Protective Services. We wrapped up a productive special session, from which came sweeping procedural reform and additional
funds to ensure that CPS has the resources it needs to investigate every reported case of abuse or neglect. CPS was empowered to hire more investigators, and existing employees were given long overdue pay increases.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Janet Napolitano:
Investment for fewer abuse and neglect cases
Child Protective Services is now in a position to respond to emergencies, but the bigger challenge is preventing abuse before it escalates into a tragedy. The Legislature was right to establish Healthy Families in 1994, and it is time to build on this
success story. My 2005 budget will contain a recommendation to double the Healthy Families budget, from $7.25 to $14.5 million. This relatively small investment promises big dividends-safer children, more capable parents, and fewer abuse & neglect cases.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Janet Napolitano:
Establish a quality childcare rating system
We will work with private childcare providers and government agencies to establish a quality childcare rating system, identify tools and resources to meet standards of quality, and prepare information for parents to adequately evaluate those centers.
I have asked the School Readiness Board to find new sources of public and private funding to help childcare providers ensure that they have adequate facilities and curricula to properly stimulate children’s development.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Janet Napolitano:
Resources to childcare assistance for low-income families
Parents cannot support their children if they don’t work, and many cannot work without assistance with the cost of childcare. We make an investment in our children when we support quality childcare assistance for working parents who need it.
We must devote more resources to childcare assistance for low-income working parents. My budget recommendation will include an additional $24 million to substantially reduce the number of families waiting for assistance.
Source: 2004 State of the State speech to Arizona Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Gary Bauer:
Nazi salutes indicated problem at Columbine
At Columbine High School, Eric & Dylan came to school every day and they were giving each other the Nazi salute in the hallway. Nobody said anything to them, nobody sent them home, nobody took them to the principal’s office. But if a teacher at Columbine
had hung up the Ten Commandments, she would have been in the principal’s office the same day. So, as a start when I’m president, there won’t be any more Nazi salutes in the public schools. And it’s going to be OK to hang up the Ten Commandments again.
Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate
Dec 7, 1999
Steve Forbes:
Don’t raid unemployment funds for family leave
Q: Do low-income parents deserve short unpaid family leave, funded by unemployment benefits? A: All parents should have the opportunity to spend more time with their children. But credits from Washington raiding unemployment funds is not going
to do the job. The real way you give parents freedom is to let them keep more of what they earn in the first place, and to have parents have control of the schools. That’s the way to move forward instead of micro-managing with credits from Washington.
Source: Phoenix Arizona GOP Debate
Dec 7, 1999
Page last updated: Oct 12, 2021