Grievance Policy

Grievance Policy Purpose

To provide quality services to people who contact the agency for assistance. The following grievance policy is an opportunity for people to express their dissatisfaction and have the complaints investigated

Approved by the County Attorney & Executive Director on May 2, 2016

1. Who can file a grievance:
   1. Persons who are eligible for services but were denied advocacy or assistance,
   2. Persons who received services but were not satisfied with the services provided.
2. Procedures:
   1. Grievance must be filed within 60 days of the date upon which the person discovered the incident being grieved. Grievances may be sent or delivered by the individual or by their representative (parent or guardian).
   2. Grievances must be directed to the Chief of Staff and can be submitted in writing, received orally, or submitted via email to the Victim / Witness Unit.
   3. The individual with a grievance (grievant) may be represented during the grievance process by an advocate, attorney, or another person not employed by the Victim Witness Unit (Unit). The grievant will notify the Unit of the representation in advance of the grievance proceedings.
   4. The Chief of Staff will investigate the grievance and make a determination of the validity within 30 days upon receipt of the grievance at the Unit's office.
   5. If the grievance is found to be valid, remedial action will be taken by the Chief of Staff, and the action taken will be communicated, in writing, to the grievant.
   6. If the grievance is found not to be valid, this determination will be communicated, in writing, to the grievant, along with notice of the right to appeal (see below).
   7. If the grievant is not satisfied with the decision of the Chief of Staff, the grievant may appeal the Executive Director's decision to the County Attorney within 30 days of receiving the decision.
   8. Appeals to the County Attorney shall be sent to County Attorney's Office to the attention of the County Attorney. Within 30 days of receiving the appeal, the County Attorney or designee (Chief Deputy) will investigate the findings of the Chief of Staff and obtain additional information if necessary. A final decision will be made within 60 days from the date it receives the appeal.
   9. If the grievance is regarding the Chief of Staff, the grievance must be in writing and given to the County Attorney or designee. The same procedure outlined above in 3, 4, and 5 will be followed by the County Attorney in investigating and acting on the grievance. The Unit will provide the grievant with the contact information of the Sarpy County Attorney.
   10. All decisions of the County Attorney are final. If the grievant wishes additional action they may do so at their own expense.
3. Expectations of Employees
   1. Employees will be notified of a grievance received and will cooperate by providing information requested during the investigation.
   2. The employee shall receive copies of any written or recorded materials relating to the grievance against him or her. The employee will have an opportunity to respond to all allegations.
4. Notice of Grievance Policy
   1. The Grievance Policy will be posted in the Unit's office and will be published on the Unit's web page.