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Who Else Can Help with HIB or Discrimination Concerns?

Additional Guidance and Assistance

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
All reports must start locally at the school or district level, even if the complaint involves the school or district. School personnel should not retaliate against students or families for making a formal complaint.

OSPI can assist students, families, communities, and school staff with questions about state law, the HIB complaint process, and the discrimination and sexual harassment complaint processes, as well as complaints alleging willful noncompliance with state law under ESHB 1296..

OSPI School Safety Center (for questions about harassment, intimidation, and bullying)

OSPI Equity and Civil Rights Office (for questions about discrimination and sexual harassment)

OSPI Office of Legal Affairs (for more details on the willful noncompliance complaint process)

Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)
The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds works with families, communities, and schools to help solve problems so every student can fully participate and thrive in Washington’s K-12 public schools. OEO provides informal conflict resolution, coaching, facilitation, and training on family, community engagement, and systems advocacy.

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces federal nondiscrimination laws in public schools, including those that prohibit discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, and age. OCR also has a discrimination complaint process.