Neutral party who investigates consumer complaints

Description

An ombudsman is a neutral party who investigates consumer complaints. They work with both the consumer and the organization to resolve consumer issues and improve customer service.

Additional Information

Provides a fair, neutral and transparent environment between state and county agencies and families of color in Minnesota

Each of the following communities has an Ombudsperson: the Indian Affairs Council, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, the Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans

An Ombudsperson is an independent government official responsible for reviewing government and government-regulated agencies in an effort to ensure that their practices are fair, reasonable and appropriate.

To do this, the ombudsman:

• Receives complaints solely active child protection investigations and/or court cases
• Reviews and investigates complaints
• Makes recommendations to the agencies to resolve the complaints

Types of issues Office of the Ombudspersons for Families can assist with:

• Child Protection matters - Child out-of-home placements and foster care issues
• Unjust or discriminatory treatment by child protection services related to an active case

Cannot help with:

• Cannot give legal advice
• Cannot investigate court decisions
• Does not investigate attorneys, police, judges, or elected officials, or their decisions and actions
• Does not investigate federal agencies

Features

• Area Served by County
  • Statewide

• Specialization
  • African American Community
  • Hmong Community
  • Karen Community
  • Laotian Community

Application Instructions

If you have a question or complaint you may call the specific Ombudsperson for your community.

When calling, please be ready to give:

• Your name, address, and telephone number
• A description of the situation
• Names and birth dates of children who are involved
• If children belong to a tribe, tribal affiliation information
• Names and contact information of social workers and other agency or service providers

Your questions and complaints are kept confidential, although, they may have to discuss your case with agency officials to resolve your situation.