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    How We Can Help

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    The Ombudsperson serves as a neutral, independent intermediary between the caller and the agency or agencies. Investigations are conducted in a fair and impartial manner. Not all cases are investigated. While the Ombudsperson is a licensed Minnesota attorney, we do not provide legal advice, nor do we serve as an advocate or representative of any person or agency. We do not represent anyone who contacts the Office of Ombudsperson for AMERICAN INDIAN Families.

    The Ombudsperson monitors compliance with all laws governing child protection and placement, public education, and housing issues related to child protection that impact American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families and when necessary, can open up an investigation. The Ombudsperson can also provide information and resources to callers.

    If the child is not American Indian or Alaska Native, please contact the Office of Ombudsperson for Families.

    Ways We Can Help

    The Office of Ombudsperson for AMERICAN INDIAN Families can help you with:

    • Child Protection Matters in any of the 87 Minnesota Counties.
    • Child out-of-home placements
    • Foster Care Issues
    • Social Service Issues, including failure to comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA)
    • Guardians ad Litem Issues
    • Housing issues related to child protection or out-of-home placement
    • Public education issues related to child protection or out-of-home placement
    • Third-Party Custody issues involving Native children who are enrolled or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.

    If you file a complaint

    When contacting the Ombudsperson, you will be asked to provide:

    • Your name and contact information, including a telephone number and email address.
    • The nature of the reason why you are contacting the Ombudsperson.
    • The Minnesota county that is involved and the names of the parents of the child.
    • If known, the name of the tribe/tribes that the child may be tribally affiliated with.

    The most efficient way to reach Jill Kehaulani Esch Ombudsperson is to provide the above information via email.

    Your questions and complaints are kept confidential, although we will need to discuss your case with agency officials and others to resolve your situation. Should you decide not to provide the information, we may not be able to assist you because we will not have the required information to proceed with the case.

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