The attorney of a minor in a Child In Need Of Aid case contacted the Ombudsman to complain that OCS was refusing to provide a placement for the child. The Ombudsman discussed the complaint with the minor, attorney, and OCS supervisors, and reviewed the OCS computerized case management records. At the time of the complaint, the minor was 17 years old and had been on runaway status for many months. Since coming into custody as an adolescent, the complainant has been in over 40 placements including residential treatment, therapeutic foster care, and Division of Juvenile Justice facilities. The complainant has also recently been discharged from both the Anchorage and Fairbanks youth shelters reportedly due to behaviors and criminal activity including threats, stealing, possessing and/or distributing drugs, assault, breaking curfew, etc., as well as bragging about gang involvement. The shelters would not allow the youth back. Over the past two years, the complainant has either refused to accept or is unwilling to stay in any OCS identified and approved placement. Prior placements have mostly failed because of the youth’s verbal and physical aggression and concerning behaviors, which also makes it especially difficult for the agency to find a new placement. Days before the call to the Ombudsman, the complainant left the OCS building, unbeknownst to staff, just prior to a meeting scheduled by OCS with a foster provider who had agreed to meet with the complainant to discuss placement in their home. The complainant misrepresented to their attorney that OCS is refusing to provide a placement. The Ombudsman determined OCS has tried and continues to try to find a placement for the complainant and has identified another potential placement option, but placement will require the youth’s willingness and cooperation with both OCS and the potential placement. The Ombudsman closed the complaint as OCS is continuing its efforts to find a suitable placement for the complainant. (A2016-1728)