The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) makes recommendations to improve policies, procedures, and legislation by independently reviewing the actions of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), child‑placing agencies, and child‑caring institutions. The Child Advocate Act, Public Act 204 of 1994, also requires the OCA to ensure that laws, rules, and policies related to Children’s Protective Services (CPS), foster care, juvenile justice, and adoption are being followed.
Under the Michigan Child Advocate Act, the Child Advocate must release findings, recommendations, and agency responses to the public. These reports began being published after October 8, 2020, as required by law.
Reports published between January 2021 and January 2024 were completed under the Office of Children’s Ombudsman and are provided as historical documents.
As required under MCL 722.929, the Child Advocate must redact confidential information in reports of findings and recommendations. Because of this requirement, some areas of a report may appear blacked out.
Select a dropdown below to see the list of reports published that year.
