From Complaint to Resolution: Understanding the Child Welfare Grievance Process

Series Title: Factsheets for Families

Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published: 2016

(PDF - 554 KB)

This factsheet provides parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers with information about the best way to resolve their differences with a service provider or other child welfare professional. Since child welfare agency policies and procedures are State-specific, this factsheet presents information from a national perspective and points to additional resources about where to find information related to a particular State. The information and resources provided in this factsheet address the majority of complaints associated with the child protective services system.

Table of Contents

Introduction

What are some common grievances?

What is the general grievance process?

Who is an ombudsman/ombudsperson?

When can the Federal Government intervene?

Additional resources

Conclusion

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

How the Child Welfare System Works
(Factsheets)
Understanding Child Welfare and the Courts
(Factsheets for Families)
State vs. County Administration of Child Welfare Services
(Factsheets)

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2016). From complaint to resolution: Understanding the child welfare grievance process. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.