Public Comment
Public comment is provided at board meetings during specific times on the agenda. Looking to file a complaint about child safety and welfare? Learn what to do.
Ways to Provide Public Comment
Sign up to make a public comment at a meeting
Sign up for public comment during a board meeting by emailing the DCYF Oversight Board. To ensure there is enough time for all who have signed up, please keep your comments between 2-3 minutes.
Provide a written public comment
Email your written comment by end of day the Monday before a board meeting. Please be sure to state in your email that you would like this to be included as written public comment.
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.