PURPOSE: This rule insures that when youth in aftercare have a grievance, the division has a process for submitting and responding to those grievances.

1. (1) Grievances. Should a youth on aftercare, the youth’s parent(s)/guardian(s), or foster parent(s), have a grievance concerning treatment, supervision, or the lack thereof, or other relevant concerns, they may file a grievance in writing with the appropriate supervisor. The grievance shall be handled through an informal process. The supervisor will make a decision and advise the youth and the service coordinator with regard to the decision made in the matter. Appropriate written records will be maintained concerning disposition of the matter. If the decision is not satisfactory to the youth, the youth’s parent(s)/guardian(s), or foster parent(s), they may present the grievance to the regional administrator or designee for review and final decision. The decision of the regional administrator or designee will be the final decision of the division.

2. (2) Instructions. The administrators of each program will oversee the implementation of the grievance procedure. The following areas will be considered for grievances:

   1. (A) Physical abuse by staff;
   2. (B) Staff allowing physical abuse to a youth by another youth in aftercare;
   3. (C) Repeated verbal abuse by staff, such as the use of profanity or ill-temper in giving direction and guidance;
   4. (D) Discrimination based upon a youth’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability;
   5. (E) Lack of opportunity to receive adequate supervision by an aftercare worker (in accordance with current caseload standards); and
   6. (F) Disagreement with placement decision or special conditions of aftercare supervision.
3. (3) Staff Prejudice. If in the implementation of this procedure, a staff member practices prejudice against the youth who has filed the grievance and this prejudice is found to be a result of the youth’s complaint, the staff member concerned shall be subject to immediate dismissal.

AUTHORITY: sections 219.036 and 660.017, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Dec. 30, 1975, effective Jan. 9, 1976. Amended: Filed Feb. 10, 2000, effective Aug. 30, 2000. Amended: Filed Sept. 18, 2018, effective May 30, 2019. *Original authority: 219.036, RSMo 1975, amended 1993 and 660.017, RSMo 1993, amended 1995.