Service Coordination: A Guide for Families
Part 6 - FCFC Dispute Resolution Process

What is the dispute resolution process?

The FCFC dispute resolution process is your county's step-by-step way to work things out when families or agencies who are members of the FCFC do not agree with the individual service coordination plan for your family. This is a way to bring attention to your concerns and complaints.

Who can use the dispute resolution process?

All families with an individual family service coordination plan can use the dispute resolution process. Agencies who are members of the FCFC can also use the dispute resolution process.

How do I find out about the dispute resolution process?

Your county FCFC must tell you about its dispute resolution process and that you have a right to use it. You can also ask the person who coordinates services about the FCFC dispute resolution process.

How does the dispute resolution process work?

The dispute resolution process explains how you can address unresolved issues when you do not agree with the FCFC or the agencies who are members of the FCFC on how they are doing service coordination for your child or family.

The dispute resolution process explains:

• who to complain to.
• what happens after you make your complaint.
• who will give you an answer to your complaint. That answer will say what services the FCFC or its agencies have to give your child, and who has to pay.
• that you have to get an answer in 60 days or less from the time you make your complaint.
• that if a parent or an agency which is a member of the FCFC does not like the answer they get, the parent or the agency can go to the juvenile court with their complaint. The judge in juvenile court then decides what services the FCFC or the agencies who are members of the FCFC must give your child and family, and who has to pay.

The dispute resolution process explains that agencies providing services to your child and family must continue providing services until the dispute resolution process is completed.

Most agencies which are members of the FCFC also have their own dispute resolution process. The FCFC dispute resolution process is only for service coordination complaints about the FCFC and agencies which are members of the FCFC. But, if you have a disagreement with an agency that is not a member of the FCFC, you must complain to that agency. The agency will have it's own dispute resolution process that you must use.

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