Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education

Bureau of Early Care Regulation

Child Care Certification Policy Manual

2.1.2 - Receiving Anonymous Complaints by Telephone or in Person

The person taking the complaint should not encourage or volunteer that the complainant may remain anonymous or make any guarantee the complainant will remain anonymous. It is, typically, most beneficial to the investigation to have this identifying information so the agency has a way to contact the complainant with further questions or to request other clarifying information to corroborate their allegations. This is especially true if there may be the potential for sanctions/enforcements.

If the complainant wishes to remain unidentified, the name, address and phone number should not be written down because, due to Public Records Law, the agency will not be able ensure confidentiality of complainants if identifying information is in the file. The complainant may be advised that the agency will attempt to keep the name confidential, but the agency cannot guarantee it. For example, if the matter should require a hearing, his / her identity may be revealed.

If the complainant wants a copy of the investigation report, the complainant’s name and address must be provided and may be subject to disclosure under Public Records Law.

Anonymous complainants can be encouraged to call back in order to ensure that the investigator has the information needed and to find out the results of the investigation, since the agency would have no way to contact an anonymous source.

This page last updated 07/2015.