The Dutchess County Corporate Compliance Program is a system of people, processes, policies, and procedures designed to make sure the County follows all applicable laws and industry regulations governing the actions and mission of the County. This program helps improve County services, supports its mission to the community, and helps prevent, detect and correct fraud, waste and abuse. It encourages all affected individuals and affiliated professionals to act with integrity and follow the laws, regulations, industry standards, and County policies and procedures, and to report any non-compliance.
If there is already a law, regulation, or County policy/procedure that helps detect fraud waste, and abuse, the Compliance Program does not replace it. Instead, the Compliance Program will ensure the County meets its responsibilities to comply with those requirements.
Some County departments or offices have a process in place for reporting issues and violations. These processes are listed below and should be used first, when applicable.
The following reporting processes are available:
If you think DCFS has made a wrong decision about your case, a Fair Hearing is your chance to explain it to an Administrative Law Judge from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) Office of Administrative Hearings. See Fair Hearings Client Rights and Responsibilities for more information.
If you have questions or concerns about compliance issues such as privacy, regulations, or ethical issues that are related to Dutchess County Department of Health programs, please contact the Quality Improvement Coordinator, Lori Levine, at 1-845-486-3565. Concerns will be investigated and evaluated in accordance with our compliance and ethics policies, while upholding standards of integrity and non-retaliation.
If you have questions or concerns about compliance issues such as privacy, regulations, or ethical issues that are related to Dutchess County Department of Health programs, please contact the Quality Improvement Coordinator, Lisa Cardinale, at 1-845-486-3565. Concerns will be investigated and evaluated in accordance with our compliance and ethics policies, while upholding standards of integrity and non-retaliation.
Contact the Department of Mental Health
If you are not satisfied with the hearing decision of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, you have the right to request an appeal to the New York State Office for the Aging. This must be in writing and must be sent within thirty (30) days after you receive your Notice of Hearing Decision. You have a right to be helped in your hearing by a lawyer or any other person you choose to represent you, such as a family member, friend, or neighbor.
See the Aging Information and Assistance page for hotlines and website resources.
The County Board of Ethics receives complaints of misconduct which could constitute a violation of the Dutchess County Code of Ethics. See the Dutchess County Charter, Code and Ethics page for more information and view the Code of Ethics for instructions about submitting a complaint.
The Freedom of Information Law ("FOIL") provides the public with the right to access certain government records. These requests are governed by New York State’s “Freedom of Information Law” (Sections 84-90 of the Public Officers Law). See our FOIL Requests page for more information about FOIL and instructions for submitting requests or appeals.
If your concern is beyond the processes that have been described, or you believe the process has not resolved the issue of non-compliance, then you should report the suspected violation to Corporate Compliance using the following lines of communication. You may report anonymously, but giving your name and contact information can help with the investigation.
The following lines of communication are available:
Reports will be kept confidential to the extent possible under the law. However, there may be times when your identity needs to be revealed, such as in response to a subpoena or legal proceedings.
No one will face reprisal, retaliation, nor intimidation for reporting suspected acts of fraud, waste, or abuse, or suspected violations of County policies in good faith. However, an employee who makes an intentional false report or a report not in good faith may face disciplinary action.
