Reporting & Accountability

When government agencies violate the law, misuse their power, or fail to follow required procedures, families have the right to file complaints and seek accountability.

This page explains:

• Where to file complaints (state and federal agencies)
• What each agency investigates
• How to file a complaint step by step
• What documentation to gather

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

What they handle:

• Discrimination based on race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion
• Violations of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in child welfare
• Violations of Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act
• Denial of services based on protected characteristics

When to file with HHS OCR: When DCF treated you differently because of your race, disability, national origin, or other protected status.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office of Inspector General (OIG)

What they handle:

• Fraud, waste, and abuse of federal funds
• Mismanagement of federally-funded programs
• Violations of federal child welfare law
• Misuse of Title IV-E funds (federal foster care money)

When to file with HHS OIG: When DCF is misusing federal money, violating federal child welfare laws, or committing fraud with federal funds.

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Civil Rights Division

What they handle:

• Systemic violations of constitutional rights
• Violations of Title VI (discrimination in federally-funded programs)
• Violations of Americans with Disabilities Act Title II
• Pattern or practice of civil rights violations
• Retaliation for asserting civil rights

When to file with DOJ: When DCF is violating civil rights on a widespread basis or discriminating against groups of people. DOJ typically handles systemic issues, not individual cases, but can initiate investigations based on individual complaints that reveal patterns.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

When to contact:

• Criminal conduct by DCF employees
• Child trafficking or exploitation
• Corruption
• Civil rights violations involving violence or threat

What to Include in Your Complaint

• Your contact information: Name, address, phone, email
• Detailed timeline: What happened, when, and where (be specific with dates and times)
• Who was involved: Names of all DCF workers, attorneys, judges, case managers
• Case numbers: Your DCF case number and any court case numbers
• Specific violations: What law, policy, or procedure was violated (cite statutes/rules if possible)
• Supporting documents: Reports, court orders, communications, photos, medical records
• Witness information: Names and contact info for anyone who witnessed the misconduct
• How you were harmed: What impact this had on you and your family
• What outcome you seek: Investigation, corrective action, policy change, etc.

Documentation Tips

What Documents to Gather

• DCF investigation reports and findings
• Court orders and petitions
• Case plans and service agreements
• Emails, letters, and text messages from DCF workers
• Visitation logs and records
• Medical records and evaluations
• Photos or videos (of home conditions, injuries, etc.)
• Witness statements
• Your own detailed notes and timeline