Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare
Complaint Process

Complaint resolution process for issues regarding BMCW services

If you are unhappy with any aspect of our work, please feel free to speak with a staff member about your concerns. Many times, we find that an explanation of an action we have taken is all that is needed to resolve the problem. 

If you feel that your rights or the rights of a child have been violated, or you have not been given the opportunity to carry out your responsibilities, you may file a complaint. No action can be taken against you, your children, or the children you care for because you have filed a complaint. 

In partnering with the community, BMCW is also interested in hearing your ideas on how we can better serve the families of Milwaukee County. Families working with the BMCW have the right to make a complaint about actions taken or not taken. 

Whenever possible, start your complaint in the BMCW program that you have been working with. Families are assigned to staff within different programs. The staff member provided you with a business card. Begin by calling the person listed on that card. If you do not have the business card and do not know the staff member assigned to you, call he BMCW regional office closest to your home. (Click on the Contact BMCW link below for addresses and phone numbers.) 

Once you have contacted the assigned program staff member, tell him/her about the problem you are having. If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, ask that the complaint be sent to the supervisor. 

If the program staff person has had an opportunity to resolve the complaint and you are still not satisfied, the complaint becomes a dispute . The supervisor will contact you within 48 hours and will help resolve the dispute. 

If the supervisor cannot resolve the dispute, he/she will take it to upper levels of administration until you are satisfied with the resolution. If BMCW cannot resolve the dispute, you may contact the Milwaukee Ombudsman for Child Welfare at (414) 224-1347 who may be able to help.

Office of the Milwaukee Ombudsman for Child Welfare

If, after following BMCW's established complaint process, the family, child, or advocate is still unsatisfied with the management of a case by BMCW, the Office of the Milwaukee Ombudsman for Child Welfare can be called to review the complaint. The Ombudsman's role is to conduct objective, impartial, and independent reviews of complaints. 

Office of the Milwaukee Ombudsman for Child Welfare
1442 N. Farwell Ave. Suite 300
Milwaukee, WI 53202-0243
(414) 224-1347
email@ombudsmanmilw.org

Contact the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare

 

Last Revised: August 19, 2008