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Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

FosterAdopt Connect Privacy Statement

FosterAdopt Connect is committed to respecting your privacy and security. We provide this Privacy Statement to make you aware of our privacy policy and security practices, and to inform you about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage and from the bottom of every FosterAdopt Connect web page. Once you choose to provide us personally identifiable information (any information by which you can be identified) either online or offline, you can be assured that it will only be used to support your relationship with FosterAdopt Connect.

Information Collected

In your relationship with FosterAdopt Connect, you can make donations, request, or emails. The types of personal information we may collect include name, contact and billing information, transaction and payment information. Finally if you apply for a job, all related application information will be collected and stored. In order to tailor our subsequent communications to you and continuously improve our services, we may also ask you to provide us with information regarding your personal or professional interests, demographics, experiences as a sponsor, and contact preferences.

Use and Disclosure of Information

FosterAdopt Connect uses your information to understand your needs and provide you with better service. Specifically, we use your information to help you complete a transaction, communicate back to you, update you on programs and special events, and to personalize our services and communications with you. Credit card and/or checking account information is used only for payment processing and is not retained for other purposes. From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research or provide you with information we think would be of particular interest. At a minimum, we will always give you the opportunity to opt out or decline FosterAdopt Connect marketing or market research contact. We will also follow local requirements, such as allowing you to opt in before receiving unsolicited contact, where applicable. Furthermore, we use 3rd-party demographic data (such as age, gender and interests) to better understand how our website is used and to make improvements in usability.

Who we share it with

It is FosterAdopt Connect’s policy to ensure that personal data is not used or disclosed except as necessary to provide services, to protect the confidentiality or security of personal data or as otherwise permitted by law. FosterAdopt Connect does not rent, sell, or lease personal data with others. However, in those situations where we retain third parties to perform processing tasks or other activities, and transfers personal data to those partners or to any of our branch offices, we require that these groups agree to provide at least an equivalent level of protection as provided by FosterAdopt Connect.

Links to Other Resources

Our web sites may contain links to other online resources. We provide the links for your convenience, but we do not review, control, or monitor the privacy practices of online resources operated by others. This Privacy Statement does not apply to any other online resources where a link to this Privacy Statement does not appear. We are not responsible for the performance of sites operated by third parties or for your business dealings with them. Therefore, whenever you leave this Web Site we recommend that you review each site’s privacy practices and make your own conclusions regarding the adequacy of these practices.

Choice

FosterAdopt Connect will not use or share the personally identifiable information you provide to us in ways unrelated to the ones described above without first letting you know and offering you a choice. As previously stated, you may let us know if you do not wish to receive unsolicited direct marketing materials from us, and we will do everything we can to honor such requests.

Accuracy

FosterAdopt Connect takes reasonable steps to ensure that personal data is reliable, accurate, and complete. The steps we take to ensure data integrity are made in light of the purposes for which the Personal Data is used. It is the policy of FosterAdopt Connect to ensure that all Personal Data is maintained only as long as necessary or as otherwise permitted by law.

Security

FosterAdopt Connect is committed to ensuring the security of your information. We have implemented reasonable electronic, physical and procedural safeguards designed to help protect against the loss, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration or destruction of the information under our control. We use encryption systems, when collecting or transferring sensitive data such as credit card information. Certain features of our Web Sites may require you to use an access code, password or similar unique identifier. You are responsible for protecting the secrecy of your account information. Although we strive to protect your personal information, no data transmission over the Internet is completely secure. There is some risk associated with any data transmission, including the risk that personal information may be intercepted in transit. If a breach of your personal information occurs we will provide a notification within a timeframe and by a manner permitted by your local jurisdiction.

Consent to Transfer

This Web Site is operated in the United States. If you are located in the European Union, Canada or elsewhere outside of the United States, please be aware that any information you provide to us will be transferred to the United States. By using the Web Site or providing us with your information, you consent to this transfer.

Conditions of Use

FosterAdopt Connect provides these services described to you subject to the conditions contained within this Privacy Statement. If you visit our website you accept these conditions. Please read them carefully. In addition, when you use any current or future FosterAdopt Connect website, service or visit any entity referenced by FosterAdopt Connect in its website, you also will be subject to the guidelines and conditions applicable to any such entity.

Copyright

All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, photographs, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the sole and exclusive property of FosterAdopt Connect or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of FosterAdopt Connect and protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

Trademarks

FosterAdopt Connect trade names, trademarks, trade dress, and service marks, including those marks indicated on our website are the sole and exclusive property of FosterAdopt Connect including, without limitation, designs, logos, page headers, button icons and scripts (“Marks”). FosterAdopt Connect’s Marks and trade dress may not be used in connection in any way not expressly authorized in writing by the FosterAdopt Connect or in any manner that is likely to cause confusion among the public, or in any manner that disparages or discredits FosterAdopt Connect. All other trademarks not owned by FosterAdopt Connect that appear on this site are the property of their respective owners.

License and Site Access

FosterAdopt Connect grants you a limited, nonexclusive, nontransferable, and revocable license to access and make personal use of this site and not to download or modify it, or any portion of it, except with express written consent of the FosterAdopt Connect. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of this site or its contents; any collection and use of any information, images, content or photographs or any derivative use of this site or its contents; any downloading or copying of information for the benefit of another; or any use of data mining, robots, or similar data gathering and extraction tools. This site or any portion of this site may not be reproduced, duplicated, copied, sold, resold, visited, or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without express written consent of FosterAdopt Connect. You may not frame or utilize framing techniques to enclose any Marks, photographs, content or other proprietary information (including images, text, page layout, or form) of FosterAdopt Connect’s website without express written consent. You may not use any meta tags or any other “hidden text” utilizing FosterAdopt Connect’s website name or Marks without the express written consent of FosterAdopt Connect. Any unauthorized use terminates the permission or license granted by FosterAdopt Connect to access this site.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

THIS SITE IS PROVIDED BY FOSTERADOPT CONNECT ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS. FOSTERADOPT CONNECT MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE OPERATION OF THIS SITE OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT OR MATERIALS INCLUDED ON THIS SITE. YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. FOSTERADOPT CONNECT DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THIS SITE, ITS SERVERS, OR E-MAIL SENT FROM THE FOSTERADOPT CONNECT WEBSITE ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. FOSTERADOPT CONNECT WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SITE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Site policies, modification, and severability

FosterAdopt Connect, reserves the right to make changes to this site, policies, and these Conditions of Use at any time. If any of these conditions shall be deemed invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that condition shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining condition.

Are cookies used?

Cookies are used to determine the success of FosterAdopt Connect’s website and marketing campaigns. This allows us to be good stewards with the donations that are given to us to determine our online effectiveness, which also helps keep our expenses low.

In addition to cookies, we use other technologies, including pixel tags, to gather information on how our users interact with our website and to help us efficiently monitor our website and marketing campaigns. These technologies, for example, show us popular pages, conversion rates, click-throughs and other information that can be used to improve our website. We also occasionally share select non-personal information with trusted third parties. FosterAdopt Connect and its third party vendors use pixel tags to track and analyze non-personally identifiable usage information to compile statistical traffic analysis or usage patterns. Third-party cookies may also be used to inform, optimize and serve FosterAdopt Connect ads on other websites based on your visits to FosterAdopt Connect websites.

What is a cookie?

A cookie is a series of data characters that, when programmed into a website, is placed by the web server into the browser’s application folder on your computer. Once placed onto your machine, the cookie will allow the website to “recognize” you as a unique individual. Cookies do not collect data from the end user’s hard drive.

Can cookies be removed from my hard drive?

Yes, cookies can be removed from your hard drive. Also, depending on what type of web browser and what browser version you are using, you may be able to change the properties on your cookie file so that cookies are not used or saved. Please check with your browser provider for more information on removing cookies.

Health Rights

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights, as well as some of our responsibilities to help you.

Get a copy of your paper or electronic medical record.

You can ask to see or receive an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. When asked, we will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, typically within two (2) weeks of your request.

Correct your paper or electronic medical record.

You can ask us to correct or update health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Please note that we might not be able to comply with your request to change information, but if this is the case, we will notify you of the reasons in writing within 30 days of the request.

Request confidential communication.

You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address. We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.

Ask us to limit the information we share.

We will keep information provided to us in confidence, and only share information if you have signed a Release of Information. If the event of an emergency, or to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest.

Client Rights and Responsibilities

Client Rights

The rights and dignity of clients are respected throughout FosterAdopt Connect. We are committed to protect the legal and ethical rights of clients by informing clients of their rights and responsibilities; providing fair and equitable treatment; and providing clients with sufficient information to make an informed choice about utilizing our services. All services provided by FosterAdopt Connect are voluntary and provided at no cost to the client.

All services are provided on a voluntary basis. Each client has the right to:

  • Services provided will not be affected by their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability. 
  • Expect that all communications and records pertaining to their services will be treated as confidential and protected to the best of our legal ability. 
  • Request to review their record, in compliance with State laws and FosterAdopt Connect’s Access to Case Records policy. 
  • Submit a written statement to their case record, as outlined in FosterAdopt Connect’s Access to Case Records policy. 

  • ACCESS TO CASE RECORDS POLICY Case records are confidential and access to case records is limited to:
  • The service recipient or, as appropriate, a parent or legal guardian.
  • Personnel authorized to access specific information on a “need-to-know" basis.
  • Former service recipients.
  • Individuals requesting records of deceased service recipients.
  • Auditors, contractors, and licensing or accrediting personnel consistent with the organization’s confidentiality policy.

  • Clients are able to request a review of their records. Clients will be able to review their records as long as FosterAdopt Connect does not determine that serious harm would likely ensue if an individual were to review their case record, and applicable law provides no guidance on case record access, then:
  • Senior management/leadership reviews, approves in writing, and enters into the case record the reasons for refusal; and
  • Procedures permit a qualified professional to review records on behalf of clients, provided the professional signs a statement that information determined to be harmful is withheld.

  • Clients are able to request a copy of their records (either a paper copy or an electronic copy). A copy or summary of the information in the client record will be provided within two (2) weeks of a request. Clients served have the right to review, and when desired, add a statement to their files in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, and:
  • Reviews are conducted in the presence of professional personnel on FosterAdopt Connect premises;
  • Reviews are carried out in a manner that protects the confidentiality of family members and others whose information may be contained in the record;
  • Any personnel responses to service recipient additions are added with the service recipient’s knowledge; and
  • The service recipient is given the opportunity to review and comment on personnel responses.
  •  
  • File a grievance about FosterAdopt Connect services provided or denied to them, according to FosterAdopt Connect’s grievance procedures, which includes: 
  • The right to file a grievance without interference or retaliation.  
  • Timely written notification of the resolution and an explanation of any further appeal, rights or recourse.  
  • At least one level of review that does not involve the person about whom the complaint has been made or the person who reached the decision under review.  
  • The right to contact our Civil Rights Liaison, Director of Human Resources & Administration, Pam Hulse via phone 816-659-9356 or at pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org or file a complaint directly with the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., or the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program as detailed below.
  • Know that certain information may be released without their authorization under the following legal circumstances: 
  • The receipt of a legitimate subpoena or court order, unless a protection order within the timeframe established by Missouri State Law. 
  • If ordered by a judge or other judicial officers. 
  • In the event of a medical emergency.  
  • The receipt of information that suggests child abuse or neglect has occurred. FosterAdopt Connect employees are mandated to report any such information to the applicable state hotline.  
  • In the event of threat of harm to someone, if that threat is perceived to be serious, the proper individuals must be contacted. 
  • Receive communication in the format preferred, including verbal, written, or interpreted, if requested. 
  • Receive consistent enforcement of program rules and expectations.
  • Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) will have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in our services, activities, programs, and other benefits.
  • Be informed of the hours services are available.
  • Have the rules, expectations, and other factors that can result in discharge or termination of services explained. 
  • Participate in all service decisions. 
  • Be informed of the benefits, risks, side effects, and alternatives to planned services. 
  • Be offered the most appropriate and least restrictive or intrusive service alternative to meet their needs. 
  • Receive service in a manner that is free from harassment or coercion and that protects the person’s right to self-determination. 
  • Refuse any service. 
  • Be informed about the consequences of such refusal. 
  • Understand circumstances under which FosterAdopt Connect will serve minors without consent from a parent or legal guardian. Specific circumstances are available upon request.

  • Client Responsibilities  
  • Clients of FosterAdopt Connect have the following responsibilities:  
  • Actively participate in services.   
  • Participate as a member of the team, including making service decisions.  
  • Be respectful of FosterAdopt Connect staff and others encountered during service delivery  
  • Report any concern regarding services, past or present, as outlined in the Client Grievance Procedure.  
  • Provide feedback about FosterAdopt Connect services to help the agency continually improve.

Client Responsibilities


Clients of FosterAdopt Connect have the following responsibilities:


  • Actively participate in services
  • Participate as a member of the team, including making service decisions
  • Be respectful of FosterAdopt Connect staff and others encountered during service delivery
  • Report any concern regarding services, past or present, as outlined in the Client Grievance Procedures
  • Provide feedback about FosterAdopt Connect services to help the agency continually improve

Contact   FosterAdopt Connect’s Civil Rights Liaison: Director of Human Resources & Administration, Pam Hulse via phone 816-659-9356 or at pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org or file a complaint directly with the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., or the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program as detailed below.  
Office for Civil Rights
Office of Justice Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531
Telephone: 202-307-0690, Fax: 202-616-9865

AND/OR

Kansas Governor’s Grants Program
900 SW Jackson Street
Landon State Office Bldg., Rm 304N
Topeka, KS 66612
Telephone: 785-291-3205, Fax: 785-219-3204


Derechos y responsabilidades de clientes

Los derechos y la dignidad de los clientes se respetan en todo FosterAdopt Connect. Para comprometernos a proteger los derechos legales y éticos de los clientes, informamos a los clientes de sus derechos y deberes; damos un trato justo y equitativo; y entregamos a los clientes información suficiente para que tomen una decisión informada sobre el uso de nuestros servicios. Todos los servicios prestados por FosterAdopt Connect son voluntarios y se ofrecen sin costo para el cliente.

Derechos de clientes

Todos los servicios están ofrecidos voluntariamente. Cada cliente tiene el derecho a:

  • Servicios prestados sin verse afectados por su raza, color, religión, género, identidad de género, país de origen, orientación sexual, edad o discapacidad.
  • Esperar que todas las comunicaciones y registros relacionados con los servicios sean tratados de forma confidencial y protegidos en la medida de nuestras posibilidades legales.
  • Solicitar revisar su expediente, de acuerdo con las leyes estatales y la política de acceso a los expedientes de FosterAdopt Connect.
  • Presentar una declaración escrita a su expediente, como se indica en la política de acceso a los expedientes de FosterAdopt Connect.
  • Presentar una queja formal sobre los servicios de FosterAdopt Connect prestados o denegados, de acuerdo con los procedimientos de quejas formales de FosterAdopt Connect, que incluyen:
  • El derecho a presentar una queja formal sin interferencias ni represalias.
  • La notificación oportuna por escrito de la resolución y explicación de cualquier otro recurso o derecho.
  • Al menos un nivel de revisión que no incluya a la persona sobre la que se ha presentado la queja ni a la persona que tomó la decisión en la revisión.
  • El derecho a ponerse en contacto con nuestro Enlace de derechos civiles (Civil Rights Liaison), Directora de Recursos Humanos y Administración, Pam Hulse a través del teléfono 816-659-9356 o en pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org o presentar una queja directamente a Office of Civil Rights en Washington, D.C., o al Kansas Governor’s Grants Program, como se detalla abajo.
  • Sepa que cierta información puede ser revelada sin su autorización en las siguientes circunstancias legales:
  • El recibo de una citación u orden judicial legítima, a menos que se trate de una orden de protección dentro del plazo establecido por la Ley del Estado de Missouri.
  • Si lo ordena un juez u otros funcionarios judiciales.
  • En el caso de una emergencia médica.
  • El recibo de información que sugiera que hay un caso de abuso o abandono infantil. Los empleados de FosterAdopt Connect tienen la obligación de informar de toda situación de este tipo a la línea directa estatal correspondiente.
  • En caso de amenazas contra alguien, si esa amenaza se percibe como grave, se debe contactar a las personas adecuadas.
  • Recibir la comunicación en el formato que prefiera, incluido el verbal, escrito o interpretado, si lo solicita.
  • Recibir una aplicación coherente de las normas y expectativas del programa.
  • Las personas con conocimientos limitados de inglés (LEP) tendrán un acceso significativo y la misma oportunidad de participar en nuestros servicios, actividades, programas y otros beneficios.
  • Ser informados de las horas en que están disponibles los servicios.
  • Que se expliquen las normas, las expectativas y otros factores que pueden dar lugar al alta o a la terminación de los servicios.
  • Participar en todas las decisiones de servicio.
  • Ser informado de los beneficios, riesgos, efectos secundarios y alternativas a los servicios planificados.
  • Que se les ofrezca la alternativa de servicio más adecuada y menos restrictiva o intrusiva para cubrir sus necesidades.
  • Recibir el servicio libre de acoso o coerción y que proteja el derecho de la persona a la autodeterminación.
  • Rechazar cualquier servicio.
  • Ser informado de las consecuencias de dicho rechazo.
  • Comprender las circunstancias en las que FosterAdopt Connect atenderá a menores sin el consentimiento de los padres o del tutor legal. Los detalles específicos están disponibles si los pide.
  • Deberes de los clientes Los clientes de FosterAdopt Connect tienen los siguientes deberes:
  • Participar activamente en los servicios.
  • Participar como miembro del equipo, incluyendo en la toma de decisiones de servicios.
  • Ser respetuoso con el personal de FosterAdopt Connect y con las demás personas que se encuentren durante la prestación del servicio
  • Informar de cualquier preocupación relacionada con los servicios, pasados o presentes, como se indica en el Procedimiento de queja formal del cliente.
  • Proporcionar comentarios sobre los servicios de FosterAdopt Connect para ayudar a la agencia a mejorar continuamente.

Contacto Enlace de derechos civiles de FosterAdopt Connect: Directora de Recursos Humanos y Administración, Pam Hulse a través del teléfono 816-659-9356 o en pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org o presentar una queja directamente a Office of Civil Rights en Washington, D.C., o al Kansas Governor’s Grants Program, como se detalla abajo.  
Office for Civil Rights
Office of Justice Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531
Teléfono: 202-307-0690, Fax: 202-616-9865
 
AND/OR
 
Kansas Governor’s Grants Program
900 SW Jackson Street
Landon State Office Bldg., Rm 304N
Topeka, KS 66612
Teléfono: 785-291-3205, Fax: 785-219-3204


Grievance Procedure

FosterAdopt Connect encourages open and honest discussion between service recipients and program staff and expects that most concerns can be addressed satisfactorily through such discussions.  Verbal reports of concern are not considered grievances.  When verbal reports and discussions do not lead to resolution of concerns, service recipients are encouraged to file a written report, which are considered grievances.

It is the policy of FosterAdopt Connect that clients should have an opportunity to present their individual service-related complaints and to appeal management decisions through a grievance resolution procedure, without fear of retaliation. FosterAdopt Connect will attempt to resolve promptly all grievances that are appropriate for handling under this policy. All staff, service recipients, applicants, and stakeholders may report a formal grievance with FosterAdopt Connect.

An “appropriate grievance” is defined as a client’s expressed dissatisfaction concerning the interpretation or application of certain service-related policies by FosterAdopt Connect management, supervisors, or other employees. Examples of matters that may be considered appropriate grievances under this policy include:

  • A belief that FosterAdopt Connect policies, practices, rules, regulations, or procedures have been applied inconsistently to a client/service recipient;
  • Treatment considered unfair by a client/service recipient. (Note: Clients encountering conduct that the client considers to be in violation of Anti-Harassment and EEOC have the right to file a report directly to the Office of Civil Rights or Kansas Governor’s Grants Program.)
  • Any person who believes they have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied employment in connection with program or activity because of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status or has been retaliated against for engaging in protected activity.

  • Clients should notify FosterAdopt Connect in a timely fashion of a grievance that the client believes appropriate for handling under this policy. The grievance resolution procedure is the exclusive remedy for clients with appropriate complaints. As used in this policy, the terms “timely fashion,” “reasonable time,” and “promptly” generally will mean five (5) working/business days.

    Grievances may not be filed for:
    • Denial of services if clients are denied services because they do not meet program eligibility.
    • Services for which another agency is solely responsible.
    • Adjustments made in services required by a change in State or Federal Law.
    • An issue which is not defined as part of program service delivery by FosterAdopt Connect.

    • Client Grievance Procedure

      The grievance resolution procedure has a maximum of four (4) steps. Grievances may be resolved at any step in the process. Appropriate grievances will be processed until the client is satisfied, does not file a timely appeal, or exhausts the right of appeal under the policy. A decision becomes binding on all parties whenever a client does not file a timely appeal or when a decision is made in the final step and the right of appeal no longer exists.

      Clients who believe they have an appropriate grievance should proceed as follows:

      Step One – Clients should promptly bring the complaint to the attention of the staff member assigned to them. If the grievance involves the staff member assigned to them, they should contact the staff member’s direct supervisor to file a written grievance report. The supervisor, if authorized, should investigate the complaint, attempt to resolve it, and give a decision to the client within a reasonable time (or a qualified investigator should refer it to the Chief Operations Officer for further investigation and resolution; a qualified investigator is the person who is authorized and conducts the investigation – usually the supervisor, department head, or HR Director). The supervisor will prepare a written and dated summary of the grievance and proposed resolution, using the Problem Solving Procedure Form, for the client and submit to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for review and approval. A copy of the written summary is provided to the client and maintained in the client’s case record file.

      Step Two – Appeal the decision to the COO, if dissatisfied with the supervisor’s decision. If the grievance involves the COO, then the client may proceed directly to Step Three. This appeal (or initial grievance notification) must be made in a timely fashion (within 5 business days) using a written form. The COO will, in a timely fashion, confer with the client, staff member, supervisor, and any other member of management considered appropriate; investigate the issues; and communicate a decision in writing to all parties involved and file a copy in the client’s case record file.

      Step Three – Appeal to the CEO if dissatisfied with the COO’s decision. If the grievance involves the CEO, then the employee may proceed directly to Step Four. The timeliness requirement and procedures to be followed are similar to those in Step Two. The Founder & CEO will take the necessary steps to review and investigate the grievance and will then issue a written, final, and binding decision that will be given to the client and a copy filed in the client’s case record file.

      Step Four – Appeal to the Governing Board if dissatisfied with the CEO’s decision. Steps One, Two and Three have been bypassed. The timeliness requirement and procedures to be followed are similar to those in Step Two. The Governing Board (less the CEO) will take the necessary steps to review and investigate the grievance and will then issue a written, final, and binding decision that will be given to the client and a copy filed in the client’s case record file.

      Final decisions on grievances will not be precedent-setting or binding on future grievances unless they are officially stated as FosterAdopt Connect’s policy. When appropriate, the decisions will be retroactive to the date of the client’s original grievance notification.

      Information concerning a client's grievance is confidential. Supervisors, department heads, and other members of management who investigate a complaint may discuss it only with those individuals who have a need to know about it or who are needed to supply necessary background information or additional details.

      Clients will not be penalized for proper use of the grievance resolution procedure. However, it is not considered proper use if a client raises complaints in bad faith or solely for the purposes of delay or harassment or repeatedly raises merit-less grievances. In addition, FosterAdopt Connect staff members at all levels are prohibited from retaliating against any client who properly uses the grievance resolution procedure.

      FosterAdopt Connect may, at its sole discretion, refuse to proceed with any grievance it determines is improper under this policy.

      Informing Clients of the Grievance Policy & Procedure

      All of FosterAdopt Connect’s programs are voluntary. FosterAdopt Connect informs clients of their rights using the Client Rights and Responsibilities Policy, which is posted on our website and in the reception areas of each branch office. In programs that include formal enrollment, program staff will inform clients, at the time of intake, of the agency’s non-discrimination policies as well as their right to contact our Civil Rights Liaison, Director of Human Resources & Administration, Pam Hulse via phone 816-659-9356 or at pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org or file a complaint directly with the Office of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., or the Kansas Governor’s Grants Program as referenced below. All other clients are notified of these rights via the Client Rights and Responsibilities Policy posted in reception areas and/or on the FosterAdopt Connect website. Additionally, there are multiple ways to contact us including submitting a general inquiry by selecting ‘Contact Us’ or completing a client satisfaction survey on our website.

      Any person who believes they have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, subjected to discrimination under, or denied employment in connection with program or activity because of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status or has been retaliated against for engaging in protected activity may also file a complaint directly with:  
      Office for Civil Rights
      Office of Justice Programs
      U.S. Department of Justice
      810 7th Street, NW
      Washington, DC 20531
      Telephone: 202-307-0690, Fax: 202-616-9865

      AND/OR

      Kansas Governor’s Grants Program
      900 SW Jackson Street
      Landon State Office Bldg., Rm 304N
      Topeka, KS 66612
      Telephone: 785-291-3205, Fax: 785-219-3204


      Updated April 2022