Need to File A Complaint?

If you believe a childhood development home or childcare educator operator has violated the minimum standards for a licensed family day home or you suspect abuse or neglect of children in care, you may report those concerns to U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home Authority (CDHA).

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If you suspect that a facility or individual is providing care illegally (the person should have a Certificate of Approval but doesn’t), you may report those concerns as well. U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home Authority (CDHA) has the responsibility to investigate these complaints.

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The purpose of reporting a complaint is not just to protect a specific child, but rather to protect all the children in care at that facility. You do not have to know which specific standards have been violated; you can provide a description of the situation and the licensing inspector will determine which, if any, standards or laws have been violated.

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Child Care Standards​

• Licensed Family Day Homes

Complaints may be anonymously submitted in written format or orally.

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If you are willing to provide your name and contact information, the Program Specialist will be able to contact you for additional information, if necessary, and to provide information about the results of the complaint investigation after it is complete.

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Before filing a complaint, reference the questions listed below and be prepared to provide as much specific information as possible, especially if you are filing anonymously, as the Program Specialist will not be able to ask you any follow-up questions.

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• What happened?

• Who was involved? Who may have witnessed what happened?

• When did it happen? Did it happen more than once? How long did it take?

• Where did it happen?

• Why did it happen?

How to File a Complaint

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There are multiple ways you can file a complaint. You can call or submit an online complaint.

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• Call the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home Authority (CDHA) main office at 571-552-2793;

• Submit a written complaint via the online complaint form;

• Contact the Regional Program Specialist that works with childhood development home programs in the city or county where the program is located; or 

• For complaints regarding possible child abuse or neglect, call U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home Authority (CDHA) main office at 571-552-2793. The CDHA will conduct its own investigation within 24 hours.  The CDHA shall report its findings to Protective Services of the local department of social services to conduct a joint investigation to the maximum extent possible.