DHS Policy: Grievance Procedure

Baca County

Department of Human Services

POLICY TITLE: Grievance Procedure

REFERENCE: County Policy for Complaints or Grievances Concerning County Child Welfare Employee Conduct Legal Authority: 19-3-21 1 C.R.S., 12CCR 2509.3

Policy no.: N/A

Effective date: October 1, 2024

REVISION DATE: N/A

DIRECTOR APPROVAL: Jona S. Mills

PURPOSE: Each county department shall post information about the grievance process on the county department’s public-facing website or otherwise provide information concerning the grievance process to individuals involved in the county child welfare system or adult protection system.

Procedure:

1 Talk with your Caseworker directly regarding your concern and attempt to resolve the conflict.

2. If you feel your concern has not been resolved, please contact your Caseworker’s Supervisor at 719-523-4131 and request a meeting with both the Caseworker and the Supervisor to discuss the concerns and find a resolution.

3. If still unresolved, you may request a meeting with the Supervisor and the County DHS Director.

4. If you are still dissatisfied, you may initiate a complaint by filing a written grievance, which can be dropped off at or mailed to 772 Colorado Street, Suite 1, Springfield, CO 81073.

Pursuant to Section 19-3-211 C.R., 12 CCCR 2509-7 7.606 Grievance is defined as a complaint filed by a complainant regarding the conduct of an employee of the county department of human services in performing his/her duties under Article 3 of the Children’s Code. “Grievance does not include complaints regarding conduct by the courts, attorneys, law enforcement officials, employees of the State, foster parents or other providers of services to children, or other family members.

The grievance process concerning employee conduct shall provide for the resolution of grievances as follows:

1 . All written grievances must be submitted to the county director for internal resolution no later than thirty calendar days of the alleged incident of employee conduct which is complained of, and must state the following:

a. The complainant’s full name and mailing address;

b. The specific statement of the Complainant’s Grievance;

c. The applicable case name and number, if known; and

d. The resolution desired by the Complainant.

2. The county child welfare director shall act on the grievance within twenty calendar days after they receive it.

3. If the county department has resolved the grievance to the complainant’s satisfaction, it will issue a written final decision within thirty-five days of receiving the grievance.

4. If the county department is unable to resolve the grievance to the complainant’s satisfaction and upon the request of the complainant, the county shall provide the complainant with the contact information for the Office of Child Protection Ombudsman, 720-625-8640.

5. Complainant may also contact the Colorado Division of Child Welfare at 303-866-3275.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to direct or authorize any participant in the conflict resolution process to use the process to interfere with any civil or criminal investigation or judicial proceeding, to seek relief from any court action, or to seek a remedy that is within the authority of a court having jurisdiction over a pending proceeding. A county department shall not be precluded from presenting any relevant evidence in a pending civil or criminal investigation or proceeding that the county department has obtained while fulfilling its duties in the conflict resolution process pursuant to the provisions of this section.