If you are looking to file a complaint regarding:
- Any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm.
- A child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.
- The safety or welfare of children in state care.
Please contact Washington State's Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds. Find a link here to their page.
The DCYF Oversight Board does not intervene in individual cases. The Board’s purpose is to monitor and ensure that DCYF makes progress towards achieving the stated outcomes as identified in RCW 43.216.015.
Regarding Public Comment:
The DCYF Oversight Board operates under state law, which outlines its authority and responsibilities. Specifically, the Board is responsible for:
- Monitoring DCYF's progress toward achieving outcome measures
- Ensuring DCYF’s compliance with applicable laws and policies
- Overseeing DCYF’s performance and policies
- Offering advice and input to DCYF, the Legislature, and the Governor
While the Board may consider information brought to its attention as part of its general oversight and monitoring role, it does not have the authority to investigate, direct, or alter DCYF’s decisions in individual cases. Additionally, during public comment periods, neither the Board nor meeting presenters can respond to comments beyond a simple acknowledgment.
To respect individuals who may have sensitive stories to share or wish to discuss details of individual cases, we’d like to remind you that the Board is subject to the Open Public Meetings Act. This means our meetings are open to the public, recorded, posted on the Oversight Board’s website, and livestreamed on TVW. Written public comments submitted in advance have been sent to the Board members. To ensure everyone has an opportunity to speak, please try to limit your comments to 2-3 minutes. Thank you.
Staff:
Nickolaus.Colgan@gov.wa.gov - Administrative Coordinator