January 18, 2006
January 18, 2006
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the appointment of Verlie M. Ruffin as Michigan’s Children’s Ombudsman.
“Verlie has made it her mission in life to fight for and protect Michigan’s children,” Granholm said. “I am confident her experience, her leadership, and her compassion will reinforce and strengthen the welfare of our children across the state.
Ruffin, 58, of Detroit, has served for twenty years as the associate director of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families. In addition, Ruffin is the board president of Adult Well Being Services, a member of the Advisory Committee on Overrepresentation of Children of Color in Child Welfare, and a member of the Wayne County Children and Youth Collaborative Council, the Michigan Foster Care Review Board Program Advisory Committee, and the State Advisory Committee on Foster Care and Permanency Planning.
Prior to her current position, Ruffin worked at the Child & Family Services Division of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan.
Ruffin is appointed to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. She succeeds Lynne Martinez who has resigned.
The Office of the Children’s Ombudsman is an independent government agency that works to assure the safety and welfare of Michigan children who are in need of foster care, adoption, and protective services. The office independently investigates complaints, advocates for children, and recommends changes to improve law, policy, and practice that benefit children’s welfare.
The appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. The appointment stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.
