Office of Community Awareness, Response and Engagement (CARE) Reference Guide

This guide is also available to download and print.

The Office of CARE within the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) works directly with community organizations, regional leaders, and members of the public to help ensure the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the state’s work.

There are three programs within the Office of CARE: Community Outreach Managers, Public Inquiry Unit (PIU) and Victims’ Services Unit (VSU).

WEBSITE: oag.ca.gov/care

Community Outreach Managers represent five regions throughout the state. Their focus is on cultivating relationships with historically marginalized and underrepresented communities in line with the CA DOJ’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on behalf of the people of California, including in the fight for environmental, economic, and social justice. Community Outreach Managers can be reached at CARE@doj.ca.gov.

WEBSITE: oag.ca.gov/care/community-outreach-managers

Public Inquiry Unit (PIU) serves as the primary access point for Californians seeking information or assistance from the Attorney General’s Office. The PIU handles all aspects of complaint intake, tracking, and response for the CA DOJ’s legal programs.

PHONE: 916.210.6276 or 800.952.5225 (toll-free)

Victims’ Services Unit (VSU) provides trauma-informed services and advocacy to all crime victims, survivors, and their families at every stage of the criminal process, including families impacted by officer-involved shooting (OIS) incidents that result in the death of an unarmed civilian after July 1, 2021. In addition, VSU assists with sexual assault evidence tracking notifications through the SAFE-T system.

WEBSITE: oag.ca.gov/victimservices
PHONE: 877.433.9069

California DOJ Resources & Information:

Program Area Resources For More Information
Bureau of Children’s Justice (BCJ) Provides support for reporting concerns related to the rights or safety of children Website: oag.ca.gov/bcj
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/bcj/complaint
Consumer Protection Provides a way for Californians to submit complaints regarding businesses or consumer-related issues Website: oag.ca.gov/consumers
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) Provides support for reporting elder abuse in nursing homes and allegations of Medi-Cal fraud Website: oag.ca.gov/dmfea
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting
Phone: 800.722.0432
Federal Accountability Provides information on the actions the CA DOJ is taking to protect Californians constitutional rights Website: oag.ca.gov/federal-accountability
Hate Crimes Provides information, tools and resources related to hate crimes in California Website: oag.ca.gov/hatecrimes
Housing Justice Provides information on state efforts to address the housing crisis on a systemic level and enforce state laws aimed at increasing housing supply Website: oag.ca.gov/housing
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/contact/general-contact-form
Immigration Rights Provides information on actions the CA DOJ is taking related to immigration as well as related resources
Provides a place to report immigration enforcement concerns, potential violations of state or federal law, or government misconduct		 Website: oag.ca.gov/immigrant
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/reportmisconduct
Email: immigration@doj.ca.gov
Law Enforcement Provides a process for submitting complaints involving local police or sheriff’s departments. Please note that prior to filing a law enforcement complaint, local remedies must be exhausted by contacting local law enforcement agency directly, as well as their local county district attorney Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/police-complaints
Registry of Charities and Fundraisers (RCF) Provides oversight of charities and professional fundraisers including registration, dissolution, raffles, and complaint intake Website: oag.ca.gov/charities
Contact Forms: oag.ca.gov/charities/contacts
Complaint Form: oag.ca.gov/charities/complaints
Delinquency Phone: 916.210.6607

Background Check Resources

CA DOJ is mandated to maintain the statewide criminal record repository for the State of California. The DOJ uses the information submitted by law enforcement agencies to compile records of arrest and prosecution, known as “RAP sheets,” for individuals. RAP sheets are then used to positively identify and confirm a person’s unique identity. For a comprehensive list, please visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/contactus. Below is a list of frequently requested resources:

Topic Resources For More Information
Applicant Background Check Status Assists with questions regarding the status of a fingerprint transaction Website: applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov/
Applicant Services Performs criminal history background checks for professional licensing and employment purposes Email: applicantinfoservices@doj.ca.gov
Authorization Questions Provides responses to questions regarding authorization by the CA DOJ to conduct criminal history background checks Email: AuthorizationQuestions@doj.ca.gov
Bureau of Firearms Responds to inquiries related to delay or denial of firearm or ammunition purchases, registration, transfers, carrying concealed firearms and transporting firearms Website: oag.ca.gov/firearms
Email: Firearms.Bureau@doj.ca.gov
Record Review Reviews requests from individuals for copies of their own criminal history record Email: applicantinfoservices@doj.ca.gov
Visa/Immigration Performs criminal history background checks for visa and immigration purposes Email: visa-immigration@doj.ca.gov
Phoneline: 916.210.4239

To learn about additional California Department of Justice programs, please visit oag.ca.gov/programs.
Please note that the California Department of Justice does not provide legal advice and is unable to represent individual constituents nor intercede in individual cases. When this office files legal action, it is done on behalf of the collective legal interests of the people and is primarily directed at ending ongoing illegal activity.