Find Out Who Can Handle Your Complaint
If the agency or provider doesn't respond when you contact them, or you're not happy with their response, the next step is to find the right ombudsperson or other external complaints body to complain to. We handle complaints about services a Minnesota foster youth is receiving or should be receiving, rights of foster youth that are being violated or ignored, or concerns about a foster youth’s living conditions.
We can help you figure out if your complaint is something we can help with (jurisdiction). If it’s not, we will do our best to provide advice, information and referral when we can’t help directly.
There are other offices that focus on other areas of concern which may be a better fit for your situation:
- Office of Ombudsperson for Families works to resolve complaints from families who have been negatively impacted by child welfare social service agencies
- Ombuds for American Indian Families 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
- Ombuds for Corrections has the authority to take and investigate complaints from or about any Department of Corrections’ staff or facility charged with the care and custody of inmates and any regional or local correctional facility licensed by the DOC in Minnesota
- Office of Justice Programs provides information and assistance to crime victims and provides county specific referrals throughout the State of Minnesota.
- Child Safety and Permanency Constituent Services: 651-431-6551
- MN Board of Social Work handles complaints against individuals licensed with the Board of Social Work. *The Board has no authority over unlicensed county social workers, as social work licensure for individuals employed with the county is voluntary under Minnesota law
- Ombuds for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
- Ombuds for Family Child Care Providers
- Guardian ad Litem Board handles complaints related to the conduct of Guardians ad Litem
- Board on Judicial Standards responds to complaints about Minnesota state court judges for violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
- Lawyers Professional Responsibilities Board handles complaints of unprofessional conduct against Minnesota lawyers and investigates and prosecutes complaints warranting professional discipline.
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights handles complaints regarding discrimination
