Virginia Establishes Office Of The Children’s Ombudsman For Foster Child Advocacy & Care

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on May 3, 2022, that the state Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO) had launched operations. In addition to advocating for systemic changes in Virginia’s child welfare system, the OCO is authorized to receive complaints from the public regarding the actions or decisions of departments of social services in cases involving children alleged to have been abused or neglected and children who are in foster care. The ombudsman is charged with improving the state’s foster care system, facilitating complaints, and advocating for changes to the child welfare system. The OCO will help . . .