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
April 21, 2008 - 16th Annual Children's Justice Conference Presentation by Mary Meinig and Linda Mason Wilgis.
The Ombudsman identifies problems in the child welfare system and recommends improvements to the Legislature and the Governor. These recommendations may be implemented, in part, through proposed legislation. Each legislative session, the Ombudsman actively reviews, analyzes, and comments on proposed bills. The following is testimony that the Ombudsman has presented to the Legislature in the 2008 session:
House Bill 2760 - Establishing children's rights in dependency matters.
Testimony | Bill Information
House Bill 2846 - Establishing a process for entering voluntary out-of-home placement agreements for adoptive children in crisis.
Testimony | Bill Information
House Bill 3061 - Creating a department to elevate the importance of child well-being as an essential outcome of an effective child welfare system.
Testimony | Bill Information
House Bill 3187 - Establishing systems to support families who have adopted children from foster care.
Testimony | Bill Information
Senate Bill 6206 - Modifying child fatality and near fatality reviews and reports.
Testimony | Bill Information
Second Substitute Senate Bill 6206 - Modifying child fatality and near fatality reviews and reports.
Testimony | Bill Information
Senate Bill 6207 - Requiring notification of a child's guardian ad litem of allegations of abuse or neglect.
Testimony | Bill Information
Senate Bill 6209 - Requiring notification of office of family and children's ombudsman in cases involving multiple reports of child abuse or neglect.
Testimony | Bill Information
Senate Bill 6306 - Providing an additional procedure for visitation rights for relatives of dependent children.
Testimony | Bill Information
Substitute Senate Bill 6306 - Testimony to House Committee on Early Learning and Children's Services.
Testimony | Bill Information
11/29/07 - In the year of its 10th anniversary, the Ombudsman releases its annual report to the Governor and Legislature recommending improved case practice for Native children, better access to in-patient treatment and services for children with special needs, and manageable workloads.
Press Release | Annual Report