The Ombudsman has the sole authority and discretion to determine whether a complaint will be investigated.  If your complaint is opened for investigation, you will be notified by letter.

The OCO orders the child's confidential DHS case file and/or private child placing agency case file.  Section 8 of the Children's Ombudsman Act authorizes the Department of Human Services (DHS) and/or private agency to release the case file to the Ombudsman, and to assist the Ombudsman in obtaining the necessary releases for those documents that are specifically restricted by law. 

An OCO investigator is assigned to your case and conducts an independent, comprehensive investigation that includes a thorough review of all the documents in the case file, (agency documents, court documents, medical records, etc.), as well as interviews with caseworkers, supervisors, and other individuals with knowledge of the child's case.

If the OCO concludes that the DHS and/or private agency's actions and decisions were in the best interests of the child and complied with law and DHS policies, you will receive a letter affirming the actions of the agency and outlining the steps taken by the OCO to investigate your complaint.

If the OCO finds that the actions of DHS and/or the private agency were not in the best interests of the child and/or did not comply with law or DHS policies, the OCO completes a report detailing its specific findings and recommendations and sends the report to the DHS and/or private agency.  Agencies have 60 days to review and respond to the results of the OCO's investigation. A closing letter will be sent to you informing you of the results of the OCO's investigation, the DHS and/or private agency's response, and any actions taken by the agency to correct the identified problem (s).