(a) Yes. If a child or youth who is under 18 years of age and currently in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks to file a complaint, the child or youth should be directed to the Health and Human Services Commission's Ombudsman For Children and Youth in Foster Care. To file the complaint, the current foster child or youth may contact the Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care through the following methods:
  (1) Toll-free phone: 1-844-286-0769;
  (2) Toll-free fax: 1-888-780-8099;
  (3) Mail: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Foster Care Ombudsman, MC H-700, P. O. Box 13247, Austin, Texas 78711-3247; or
  (4) Email: fco@hhsc.state.tx.us
(b) A current foster child or youth may file a complaint regarding any issues that are within the authority of DFPS or another health and human services agency. This includes individual complaints that allege violations of agency procedures or policies or other violations.
(c) A current foster child or youth may also contact the Ombudsman For Children and Youth in Foster Care to seek assistance in reporting allegations of abuse or neglect to DFPS.

Source Note: The provisions of this §702.815 adopted to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6078