Maltreatment In Licensed Programs

To help protect the health, safety and well-being of those who receive services from licensed facilities, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Licensing Division or county staff people investigate reports of alleged maltreatment.

• County social service agencies investigate allegations in family child care settings and child foster care for children under 18 years old.
• The DHS Investigations Unit investigates allegations in the programs and facilities directly licensed by DHS (home and community based services, mental health and substance use disorder facilities, child care centers and children’s residential facilities), in adult foster care homes and child foster care for individuals 18-21 who are receiving extended child foster care that are licensed by county social service agencies in partnership with DHS, and juvenile correctional facilities licensed by the Department of Corrections.

Maltreatment investigations are guided by the procedures and definitions contained in these statutes:

• Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act
• Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Act
• Vulnerable Adults Act definitions

Helpful Link:

Maltreatment investigations in DHS-licensed programs: Frequently asked question about what to expect DHS-7700 (PDF)