Click on your state or country to see a list of child ombudsman specialists, general jurisdiction offices and other relevant information.
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ALASKA
Office of the Ombudsman
Alaska now has state ombudsman offices in Anchorage and Juneau to help people across the state with questions and complaints about state government agencies and the University of Alaska. Juneau residents may call the Ombudsman for help with municipal issues as well. The office does not investigate complaints against elected officials, judges, private business, or individuals.
How to contact:
Office of the Ombudsman
P.O. Box 102636
Anchorage, AK 99510-2636
(907) 269-5290
Toll Free: (800) 478-2624
Fax: (907) 269-5291
Juneau Office
(907) 465-4970
Toll Free: (800) 478-4970
Fax: (907) 465-3330
http://www.state.ak.us/ombud
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ARIZONA
Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide
The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide investigates complaints against other state agencies, such as Child Protective Services, and offers information and referral services to Arizona citizens. The Ombudsman's office completes impartial investigations and makes recommendations to the agency to resolve both individual complaints as well as systemic issues.
How to contact:
Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens' Aide
3737 N. 7th Street, Ste. 209
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 277-7292
Toll Free: (800) 872-2879
Fax: (602) 277-7312
http://www.azleg.gov/ombudsman/contact.asp
Family Advocate
How to contact:
The Family Advocate is a division of Children, Youth, and Families. It receives and responds to complaints made by persons who either have an open or closed Child Protective Services case and by family members or acquaintances of persons with an open or closed CPS case.
Family Advocate
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Toll free: (877) 527-0765
https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/main.aspx?menu=154&id=3383
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ARKANSAS
The Foster Parent Ombudsman
The Foster Parent Ombudsman serves as an advocate for foster parents and acts as a liaison between the DCFS staff and the foster parents. The Ombudsman helps answer questions, provides training and assistance, and works to help resolve complaints or problems the foster parent might be having with the Division.
How to contact:
The Foster Parent Ombudsman
Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S 560
700 Main Street
Little Rock, AK 72203-1437
(501) 682-8770
Fax: (501) 682-6968
http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/chilnfam/AreaManagers.htm
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CALIFORNIA
Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman
The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman is an independent resource for reviewing issues concerning children and youth in foster care and those who care about them. The Ombudsman Office receives complaints and concerns from a wide range of individuals including foster youth, parents, relatives, CASAs , attorneys, social workers, and many other interested parties.
How to Contact:
Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman
744 P. Street M.S. 9-025
Sacramento, CA 95817
Toll free: (877) 846-1602
http://www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov/Complaints1.html
Children's Services Operation Bureau
The mission of the Children's Services Operation Bureau is to protect children who are at risk, safeguard the rights of those who receive child welfare services, and maintain the integrity of families by assisting and supporting counties' compliance with uniform implementation of laws and regulations governing the provision of child welfare services.
How to contact:
Children's Services Operation Bureau
744 P. Street, M.S. 3-90
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 651-8100
http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cfsweb/PG1327.htm
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COLORADO
Colorado Department of Human Services
A complaint about county child welfare practices should be sent to the Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare. Complaints will be forwarded to the county department for investigation and response to the complainant.
How to contact:
Complaint Coordinator
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division of Child Welfare
1575 Sherman Street, 2nd Floor
Denver, CO 80203-1714
(303) 866-4511
Fax: (303) 866-5563
http://www.cdhs.state.co.us/childwelfare/complaints.htm
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CONNECTICUT
Office of the Child Advocate
The Office of the Child Advocate is an independent office with authority to monitor and evaluate the public and private agencies that are charged with the protection of children, and to review state agency policies and procedures to ensure they protect children's rights and promote their best interest. Its responsibilities include acting as an ombudsman, doing facility and program reviews, conducting special investigations and projects, and participating in Child Fatality Reviews.
How to Contact:
Office of the Child Advocate
999 Asylum Avenue, 1st Floor
Hartford, CT 06105
(860) 566-2106
Toll Free: (800) 994-0939
Fax: (860) 566-2251
http://www.ct.gov/oca/site/default.asp
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DELAWARE
The Office of the Child Advocate
The Office of the Child Advocate shall safeguard the welfare of Delaware's children through educational advocacy, system reform, public awareness, training, and legal representation of children as set forth in 29 Del. C., Ch. 90A.
How to contact:
The Office of the Child Advocate
900 King Street, Ste. 210
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 255-1730
Fax: (302) 577-6831
or
The Office of the Child Advocate
6 West Market Street, Ste. 1
Georgetown, DE 19947
(302) 856-5720
Fax: (302) 856-5722
http://courts.delaware.gov/childadvocate/
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FLORIDA
Florida Statewide Advocacy Council
The Florida Statewide Advocacy Council is the Guardians of the Public Trust as mandated by Section 402.164 - 167, Florida Statutes to safeguard the health, safety, welfare and rights of the clients of those programs and services provided by the State of Florida health and human services delivery system from conditions or individuals that constitute a threat to their clients' civil and human rights. The Council has a responsibility to report both to the Governor and to the Legislature as to program and services problems and recommendations to correct them. These duties are carried out through a statewide network of investigations, monitoring and other mission-related functions performed by their Florida Local Advocacy Councils.
How to Contact:
Florida Statewide Advocacy Council
2727 Mahan Drive, MS-57
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 488-6173
Fax: (850) 922-5312
http://www.floridasac.org/
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GEORGIA
Office of the Child Advocate
Offic of the Child Advocate is here to provide the public and policymakers with the advice, research, data, resources, and assistance they need to ensure our state's at-risk and foster children are safe and sound, preferably in the places they already call home.
Office of the Child Advocate
3312 Northside Drive
Suite D-250
Macon, GA 31210
(478) 757-2661
Toll Free: (800) 254-2064
Fax: (478) 757-2666
http://oca.georgia.gov/
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HAWAII
Office of the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is an officer of the legislature who investigates complaints about actions of executive branch agencies of the state and county governments. The office has the power to obtain necessary information for an investigation and to recommend corrective action if a complaint is found to be substantiated. The Ombudsman serves as a neutral, independent intermediary between the citizen and the agency and conducts the investigation in a fair and impartial manner. The Ombudsman does not provide legal advice, nor does it serve as legal counsel, advocate, or representative on behalf of any person or agency.
How to Contact:
Office of the Ombudsman
465 S. King Street, 4th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0770
Fax: (808) 587-0773
http://www.ombudsman.hawaii.gov/
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ILLINOIS
Office of the Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General, a division of the Department of Children and Family Services, is mandated to investigate misconduct, misfeasance, malfeasance and violations of rules, procedures, and laws by Department of Children and Family Services employees, foster parents, service providers, and contractors with the department.
How to Contact:
Office of the Inspector General
Dept. of Children & Family Services
Capital Plaza
4 West Old State, 8th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
(312) 433-3000
Toll Free: (800) 722-9124
Fax: (312) 433-3032
http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/library/com_communications_inspector.shtml
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IOWA
Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman
The Office of Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman serves as an independent and impartial agency to which citizens can air their grievances about state and local government. By facilitating communications between citizens and government and making recommendations to improve administrative practices and procedures, the Ombudsman promotes responsiveness and quality in government.
How to Contact:
Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman
Ola Babcock Miller Building
1112 E. Grand
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-3592
Toll-Free: (888) 426-6283
Fax: (515) 242-6007
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/ombudsman/
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KENTUCKY
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman answers questions about Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) programs, investigates customer complaints, works with CHFS management to resolve them, and advises CHFS management about patterns of complaints and recommends corrective action when appropriate.
How to Contact:
Office of the Ombudsman
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 E. Main St., IE-B
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-5497
Toll Free: (800) 372-2973
http://chfs.ky.gov/os/omb/
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LOUISIANA
Office of State Inspector General
Any person, including public employees, may file complaints or provide information concerning the operation of state government with the Office of State Inspector General. Complaints may be filed anonymously. Complaints or information may be filed online, in person, by mail, telephone, or fax.
Office of State Inspector General
150 Third Street, 3rd Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 342-4262
Toll Free: (866) 801-2549
Fax: (225) 342-6761
http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/oig/complaint.htm
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MAINE
Child Welfare Services Ombudsman
The Maine Child Welfare Services Ombudsman is an impartial office which specializes in assisting people with resolving concerns with State of Maine's Child Protective Services Department of DHHS.
Children's Ombudsman
303 State Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
(207) 623-1868
Toll free: (866) 621-0758
Fax: (207) 626-3302
http://www.mainechildrensalliance.org/aboutombudsman.php
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MARYLAND
Foster Parent Ombudsman
The Maryland Foster Parent Ombudsman reviews and mediates issues made by or on behalf of public foster parents that may adversely affect their relationship with a foster child or the foster parents' rights. The Ombudsman office serves as a source of information and referral for foster care issues.
How to Contact:
Foster Parent Ombudsman
Maryland Department of Human Resources
311 W. Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-7561
Fax: (410) 333-0922
Foster Parent Brochure
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MASSACHUSETTS
Office of the Child Advocate
The Office of the Child Advocate's goal is to ensure that every child involved with child welfare or juvenile justice agencies in Massachusetts is protected from harm and receives appropriate and effective services delivered in a timely and respectful manner.
How to Contact:
Office of the Child Advocate
One Ashburton Place, Fifth Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 979-8360
Toll Free: (866) 790-8360
http://www.mass.gov/childadvocate/
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MICHIGAN
Office of Children's Ombudsman
The Office of Children's Ombudsman (OCO) is an independent state agency established by the Children's Ombudsman Act ( Public Act 204 of 1994 ). The OCO's primary responsibility is to receive and investigate complaints concerning children who are involved with Michigan's child welfare system for reasons of abuse or neglect. In addition to addressing complaints, the OCO makes recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Department of Human Services (DHS) for changes in child welfare laws, rules, and policies to improve outcomes for children.
How to Contact:
Office of Children's Ombudsman
P.O. Box 30026
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-3077
Toll Free: (800) 642-4326
Fax: (517) 335-4471
Brochure
http://www.michigan.gov/oco
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MINNESOTA
Office of the Ombudspersons for Families
Office of the Ombudspersons for Families ensures that children and their families, covered by child protection services, are guaranteed fair treatment by all agencies that provide child welfare services. The Ombudsperson monitors agency compliance with all child welfare laws and placement impacting a child of color.
How to Contact:
Office of the Ombudspersons for Families
1450 Energy Park Drive, Ste. 106
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 603-0058
Toll Free: (888) 234-4939
http://www.ombudsfamilies.state.mn.us/
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MISSOURI
Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints
Office of Human Relations and Citizen Complaints serves as the Jackson County ombudsman, investigates complaints of alleged discriminatory acts or practices with respect to County departments, public accommodations, and housing.
How to Contact:
Office of Human Relations & Citizen Complaints
Jackson County Courthouse
415 E. 12th Street, 7th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64106
(816) 881-3670
Fax: (816) 881-6338
http://www.jacksongov.org/content/3277/3310/3346/default.aspx
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MONTANA
Citizens' Advocate Office
Citizens' Advocate Office is directly charged by the Governor to assist Montanans in their interactions with state executive branch agencies.
How to Contact:
Citizens' Advocate Office
State Capitol, Room 232
P.O. Box 200803
Helena, MT 59620-0803
(406) 444-3468
Toll Free: (800) 332-2272
http://www.citizensadvocate.mt.gov/default.asp
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NEBRASKA
Ombudsman's Office
The Office of the Public Counsel (also known as the State Ombudsman's Office) is an independent complaint-handling office for the use of citizens who have complaints about the actions of administrative agencies of state government, that is, the bureaucracy of state government.
How to Contact:
Ombudsman's Office
Room 807, State Capitol
P.O. Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509-4604
(402) 471-2035
Toll Free: (800) 742-7690
Fax: (402) 471-4277
http://nebraskalegislature.gov/contact/ombud.php
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Office of the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman's Office assists clients, employees and members of the public to resolve disagreements related to matters within the jurisdiction of Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Ombudsman handles civil rights complaints against DHHS as well as DHHS employee grievances and disputes. The Ombudsman Office utilizes unbiased investigation, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods and provides information and referral services.
How to Contact:
NH DHHS
Office of the Ombudsman
129 Pleaseant Street
Concord, NH 03301-3857
(603) 271-6941
Toll Free: (800) 852-3345 ext. 6941
Fax: (603) 271-4632
www.dhhs.state.nh.us/oos/ombudsman/index.htm
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NEW YORK
The Office of the Ombudsman:
Their goal:
- To be proactive, and not reactive.
- To interact meaningfully with youth placed in the care of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
- To be effective advocates for our youth and make sure that they receive the services and care to which they are entitled.
- To work collaboratively with others in order to remedy individual and systemic problems.
How to Contact:
The Office of the Ombudsman
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Toll Free: (888) 219-9818
http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/ombudsman/default.asp
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OHIO
Lucas County Children Services Ombudsman
The Lucas County Children Services Ombudsman is a neutral dispute resolver. It is the Ombudsman's job to aid in the resolution of problems related to the Children Services delivery system in a non-adversarial manner. An ombudsman has the ability to investigate complaints and make recommendations, but no authority to make or reverse decisions.
How to Contact:
Lucas County Children Services
Ombudsman
705 Adams Street, 5th Floor
Toledo, OH 43624
(419) 213-3253
http://www.co.lucas.oh.us/index.aspx?NID=160
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OKLAHOMA
Office of Client Advocacy
Contact Client Advocacy if you have concerns or wish to file a complaint in one of the following areas: Minors in OKDHS custody,Youth in voluntary care of OKDHS, foster parents, Hissom class members, and Developmental Disabilities Services Division clients.
How to Contact:
Office of Client Advocacy
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
(405) 525-4850
Fax: (405) 525-4855
http://www.okdhs.org/contactus/comp/
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OREGON
Governor's Advocacy Office
The Governor's Advocacy Office serves thousands of families throughout Oregon every year. Citizens experiencing a problem with, or seeking information about programs or services provided by Department of Human Services receive help and direction from the Governor's Advocacy Office's ombudsmen. These concerns include, but are not limited to, child and elder abuse and neglect, access to health and dental programs, homelessness, personal or family crisis, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health programs, and services for people with developmental disabilities.
How to Contact:
Oregon Department of Human Services
Governor's Advocacy Office
500 Summer Street NE E15
Salem, OR 97301-1097
(503) 945-6904
Toll Free: (800) 442-5238
http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/aboutdhs/gao.shtml
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RHODE ISLAND
Office of the Child Advocate
The mission of the Office of the Child Advocate is to protect the legal rights of children in state care and to promote policies and practices which ensure that children are safe; that children have permanent and stable families; and that children in out of home placements have their physical, mental, medical, educational, emotional, and behavioral needs met.
How to Contact:
Office of the Child Advocate
John O. Pastore Center
57 Howard Avenue, 4th Floor
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 462-4300
Fax: (401) 462-4305
http://www.child-advocate.ri.gov/index.php
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SOUTH CAROLINA
Office of Children's Affairs
The Office of Children's Affairs provides ombudsman services on behalf of families and children by receiving and responding to correspondence and telephone inquiries to the Governor. In the delivery of these services, staff reviews and responds to questions or problems involving or impacting children either directly or by referral. This office provides information and referral to constituents on available services and resources in their community.
How to Contact:
Governor's Office
Office of Children's Affairs
1200 Senate Street, Ste. 104
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-5049
Fax: (803) 734-0799
http://www.oepp.sc.gov/ca/index.html
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TENNESSEE
Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth's (TCCY) Ombudsman Program is an external problem resolution mechanism for children in the custody of the Department of Children's Services (DCS), relative caregiver program or Child Protective Services (CPS) system. TCCY has statutory authority to review children in the foster care system, kinship care or CPS and make recommendations for improvement. The ombudsman helps to resolve problems mediating the concerns of each person involved in the child's or family's case. The Ombudsman may serve as an advocate for the family, the state, or the provider when appropriate but is always working for the child's best interests. The TCCY Ombudsman Office accepts referrals from all over the state.
How to Contact:
Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
Andrew Johnson Tower
710 James Robertson Parkway, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243-0800
(615) 532-1572
Toll free: (800) 264-0904
Fax: (615) 532-1591
http://www.state.tn.us/tccy/ombuds.shtml
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TEXAS
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman is a division of Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Their mission is to serve as an impartial and confidential resource, assisting clients with health and human services-related complaints and issues.
How to Contact:
Texas Health and Human
Services Commission
Office of the Ombudsman
Mail Code: H-700
P.O. Box 85200
Austin, TX 78708
Toll Free: (877) 787-8999
Fax: (512) 706-7130
http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/OMB/
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UTAH
Office of Child Protection Ombudsman
The Office of Child Protection Ombudsman was established by the Utah State Legislature to help the Department of Human Services (DHS) resolve concerns about the protection of children who are receiving services from the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). The purpose of the Child Protection Ombudsman is to receive and investigate complaints to ensure that proper services are provided by DCFS.
How to Contact:
Office of Child Protection Ombudsman
120 North 200 West, Rm 422
P.O. Box 45500
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0500
(801) 538-4589
Toll Free: (800) 868-6413
Fax: (801) 538-3942
http://www.hsocpo.utah.gov/
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WASHINGTON
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 and a child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.
The Ombudsman can intervene in cases in which they 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.
How to Contact:
Office of the Family and Children's Ombudsman
6720 Fort Dent Way, Ste. 240
Mail Stop TT-99
Tukwila, WA 98188
(206) 439-3870
Toll Free: (800) 571-7321
Fax: (206) 439-3877
http://www.governor.wa.gov/ofco/default.asp
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MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES:
United States Ombudsman Association
8345 University Blvd., Suite F-1
Des Moines, IA 50325
(515) 225-2323
Fax: (515) 225-6363
Email: usoa@usombudsman.org
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CANADA
British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Nova Scotia Ontario Quebec Yukon Territories
British Columbia
How to Contact:
British Columbia Office of the Ombudsman
931 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8V 3K3
[250] 387-5855
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Manitoba
How to Contact:
Province of Manitoba
750-500 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3X1
[204] 786-6483
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New Brunswick
How to Contact:
New Brunswick Office of the Ombudsman
767 Rue Brunswick Street
PO Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
[506] 453-2789
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Nova Scotia
How to Contact:
The Province of Nova Scotia Ombudsman Office
5675 Spring Garden Road, Suite 300
Halifax, NS B3J 3B7
[902] 424-6780
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Ontario
How to Contact:
Ontario Office of the Ombudsman
South Tower
483 Bay Street, 10th Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5G2C9
(800) 263-1830
Fax: (416) 586-3485
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Quebec
How to Contact:
Protecteur du citoyen du Quebes
525, boul. Rene-levesque est .bureau 1.25
Quebec, PQ GIR 5Y4
[418] 644-6565
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Yukon
How to Contact:
Yukon Office of the Ombudsman
PO Box 2703
Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6
[867] 667-8468
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