Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman

The Family and Children's Ombudsman investigates complaints in Washington state about agency actions or inaction that involve:

• Any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm.
• A child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.

We intervene in cases in which we have determined that an agency's action or inaction is unauthorized or unreasonable. In addition to addressing complaints, we work to identify system-wide issues and recommend appropriate changes in public reports to the Governor, the Legislature and agency officials.

What's New

• 2009 Annual Report Presentation to the Children’s Legislative Oversight Committee by Mary Meinig - January 19, 2010
• 2009 Annual Report
• Inter-Agency Agreement between the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman and the Department of Social and Health Services
• Patterns in Mandated Reporter Referrals 2006-2008
• 2SSB 6206: Analysis of Child Abuse and Neglect Referrals to Child Protective Services
• Children’s Administration’s response to Colville Report - 6/29/2009
• Children’s Administration’s response to Colville Report and Implementation plan - 6/29/2009
• Colville Investigation May 2009
• 2007 and 2008 Annual Report
• Group Home Report - 2007 Outreach and Survey Results

OFCO in the News