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Request Advocacy

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Request Advocacy

Request the help of the Office of the Child Advocate

Attention:

The OCA is currently in the process of updating our case management system to reflect the name change. The request form will continue to state Office of Children’s Ombudsman (OCO), until further notice. The requests will still be received and processed as usual by the OCA.

The OCA is not an emergency intervention service. To file a request about child abuse and/or neglect call MDHHS Central Intake at 1-855-444-3911 or your local law enforcement agency.

What can be investigated by the OCA?

What the OCA Can Investigate

The OCA may investigate times when people think an agency isn’t following the law, rules, or policies when dealing with a child or children in the child welfare system. This could be things that they are doing or not doing correctly.

We determine whether the actions and decisions made by the Department of Health and Human Services, a private child-placing agency, and/or facilities providing residential or juvenile justice services, are in compliance with laws, rules and DHHS policies and in the best interest of the child.

If you believe that your experience with Michigan's child welfare system (child protective services, foster care, adoption and/or juvenile justice) can highlight a system wide issue or deficiency or can be used as a case sample to improve the child welfare system as a whole, please contact our office or file an online complaint.

The OCA has no legal authority to investigate complaints that exclusively involve:

  • Employee issues (rude behavior, poor communication)
  • Complaints against a court, Judges, attorneys and law enforcement agencies
  • Friend of the Court issues (custody, parenting time, child support)
  • Guardianships
  • School problems
  • Court orders
  • Adult Protective Services
  • Individuals making false CPS complaints

What you need to know about the advocacy request process

Sometimes described as a Complaint or a Case, a request for advocacy can be sent to the OCA. Below is what you need to know before you send a request. 
The OCA's authority to investigate

The OCA may investigate times when people think a child welfare agency isn’t following the law, rules, or policies. This could be things that they are doing or not doing correctly. 

  • The "child welfare system" includes child protective services, foster care, adoption, and juvenile justice.
  • The Child Advocate is the sole individual able to determine if your request will be investigated.

The OCA does not have the authority to investigate all situations.

If we are unable to investigate, the OCA will provide you with information regarding your request in place of opening an investigation. The OCA may refer you to another agency, provide you general information about Michigan’s child welfare system and/or provide guidance on administrative remedies for your concern.

View the Child Advocate Act
Understanding who can request advocacy

Anyone can request help from the OCA.

Examples include (but are not limited to): 

  • The Child (if they are able)
  • Biological, Foster, Adoptive, or Prospective Adoptive Parents
  • Legal Guardians or Guardian ad litem
  • Attorneys or Judges
  • Legislative Representatives or the Governor
  • Mandatory Reporters.

Individuals listed in Section 5 of the Child Advocate Act, may receive the written findings, recommendations, and DHHS responses to an OCA investigation at its completion.

Individuals that are not on the list will have access to any findings and recommendations documents made public at the end of an investigation and published on this website. 

Learn how the OCA advocates
What to do before requesting advocacy

NOTICE: The online request form IS NOT to be used to file a request regarding child abuse and/or neglect (see above)

Before submitting a request:

  • Try to resolve the matter with MDHHS or the child-placing agency handling your case by starting with the caseworker.
  • If that does not resolve matters, contact the worker's supervisor, program manager or agency director.
  • Understand that MDHHS is prohibited by law from talking about cases in some instances.

If the situation cannot be resolved with the agency, then contact the OCA.

  • Be prepared and have all relevant information ready.
  • Keep notes of who you talked to and when. 
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