Learning to Navigate the System
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The Complaint Process
There are times when you may need to escalate a matter concerning your family or your foster children. We recommend that you put your inquires and issues in writing so that you have a paper trail.
Here are the ways that a problem can be handled:
Here are the ways that a problem can be handled:
- Your worker’s supervisor – The supervisor should be the first call you make if there is an ongoing problem. Also, this is the first question any other agency will ask you when you try to file a complaint; they will want proof that you gave the agencies' management a fair chance to correct the problem before helping you with any issue.
- Your agency’s complaint policy – Every agency should have a written complaint policy that will direct you on how to go up the chain of command within your agency with a greivance .
- If you don’t receive a resolution with the worker, supervisor or through the escalation of a grievance through your agencies formal complaint policy then the agencies below may be able to assist you.
Foster Care Review Board Program (FCRBP)The Foster Care Review Board will respond to a foster parent's appeal when a foster parent objects to a change or a proposed change in a child’s placement. For example, if a child is being moved from your home against your wishes.
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The Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO)The Office of Children's Ombudsman is responsible for handling Foster Parent Bill of Rights complaints.
They also investigate citizen complaints about children involved with protective services, foster care, adoption services, and juvenile justice to determine whether the Department of Human Services and/or private agency actions and decisions complied with laws, rules, and agency policy. |
DCWLThe Division of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL) - has a formal complaint form on their website. Making a complaint to DCWL is a big deal because they supervise your agency. Please give your agency a fair chance on resolving a complaint before escalating it to DCWL.
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