Lucas County Children Services now has a Client Rights Liaison (CRL) that handles community and client complaints/grievances concerning the provision of services from parents, custodians, legal guardians, foster caregivers, kinship caregivers, and children. CRL is a neutral party to all cases. CRL is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice.
The role of the Client Rights Liaison is…
- To ensure that LCCS clients are aware of their rights, and that those rights are being upheld.
- Respond to complaints and dispositional review requests from the community and consumers.
- Handle community and client complaints/grievances about services provided to parents, custodians, legal guardians, foster caregivers, kinship caretakers, and children.
- Research case records, interview clients and agency staff regarding case activity.
- Have meetings with direct staff to review case activity and decisions related to the inquiry/complaint.
- Mediate resolutions between parties when appropriate.
- Meet or communicate with inquiring or complaining party about final findings or decisions.
- Make a recommendation on dispositional appeals to agency directors.
When you are involved with Lucas County Children Services (LCCS), you have the right to:
- Be treated with courtesy and respect.
- To have the information you provide to be held confidential; your caseworker should manage your case in a caring, private, and professional manner.
- To receive an explanation of the circumstances that would lead the agency to be permitted, or required, to disclose confidential information about your family without your consent.
- Decline to cooperate with the assessment.
- Refuse to accept services recommended by LCCS on a voluntary basis.
- Participate in preparing the case plan. You also get a copy of the case plan.
- Clear, honest answers to your questions so you understand why decisions are being made and actions taken in your case.
- Be informed about other ways to get help if LCCS cannot assist your family.
- Written notification of Lucas County Juvenile Court hearings and actions on your case if the court is involved.
- Be involved in, and informed about, the health, education, and well-being of your child.
- Be served without discrimination on the basis of age, race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle, or physical, mental, or developmental disability.
- State any concerns you have and file a complaint.
If you have questions about your rights, please discuss them with your caseworker.
Grievance Policy
To address a grievance or concern about Lucas County Children Services, please contact agency personnel in this order:
- Caseworker
- Supervisor
- Client Rights Liaison
- Department Assistant Manager or Manager
You may contact these individuals by calling 419-213-3200.
After you’ve followed the steps above, click the button below to fill out the complaint form.
