When You’re Concerned About DCYF’s Actions — Speak Up.

The Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) independently reviews complaints about Washington state agency actions or failures to act involving children and families.

If you believe DCYF failed to protect a child, did not follow law or policy, acted unreasonably, or made decisions that created a risk of harm, OFCO may be an appropriate place to bring your concern. 

You do not have to wait until a child is seriously harmed to raise a concern.

When should I contact OFCO?

• Child safety or welfare concerns involving DCYF’s response or failure to respond
• Concerns about a child’s placement or safety while in state care
• Foster care concerns
• Concerns involving family separation or reunification
• Concerns that DCYF did not follow law, policy, or procedure
• Concerns about DCYF agency conduct
• Certain concerns involving people in Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities 

What happens after you file?

OFCO can obtain and review information from DCYF, the complainant, and other sources and compare what occurred against applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures. If OFCO substantiates a complaint, it can recommend action to resolve the problem. OFCO can also identify broader systemic issues and recommend changes to Washington’s child-welfare system.