Grievances Procedures

(1) To initiate the grievance procedure, the Aggrieved Party must file a written complaint with the Area Office, Regional Office or Foster Care Review Unit whose decision is complained of or which employs the employee whose conduct is complained of, within 30 days of the action or inaction complained of. The Director of Areas, Regional Director or Director of Foster Care Review shall assign the complaint to a Regional Clinical Director, Area Clinical Manager, Area Program Manager or to the Assistant Director of Foster Care Review as the case may be. (2) The Regional Clinical Director, Area Clinical Manager, Area Program Manager or Assistant Director of Foster Care Review shall review the decision or conduct complained of by the aggrieved party within 21 calendar days of receipt of the complaint. The review shall include any facts and/or arguments submitted by the aggrieved party in written form. The Regional Clinical Director, Area Clinical Manager, Area Program Manager or Assistant Director of Foster Care Review may, upon the approval of the Regional Director, Director of Areas, or Director of Foster Care Review, meet with the Aggrieved Party and/or with other Department or Provider agency staff in order to resolve the dispute. 10.38: continued (3) Upon completion of the review, the Regional Clinical Director, Area Clinical Manager, Area Program Manager or Assistant Director of Foster Care Review shall send written notice of his or her decision to the Aggrieved Party and to the employee(s) in question. The notice shall recite the grounds of the complaint, the facts of the case, and any action taken by the Department or Provider. (4) The decision of the Regional Clinical Director, Area Clinical Manager, Area Program Manager or Assistant Director of Foster Care Review shall be final. If the Aggrieved Party is still dissatisfied, she or he has recourse to such further rights or remedies as are available by law. NON-TEXT PAGE