Ombudsman would update people and review child welfare services

The proposed text says the ombudsman must respond to requests in a timely way and keep people informed about findings and department actions. This applies to people who file requests for help with the ombudsman.

The proposed text says the ombudsman must make active efforts to help people resolve issues identified through their requests. This applies to people who file requests for help and to issues the ombudsman identifies.

The proposed text says the ombudsman must send trend recommendations to the department twice each year, and the department must respond. The recommendations would concern trends in the department’s child protective services, based on information including reports, requests for help, investigation findings, and department policies. The department’s response must explain how it will carry out the recommendations or why it is not doing so at that time. If the department does not respond as required or says it will not carry out recommendations, the ombudsman must send the report to the governor, the department director, and the legislative interim committee. The department must respond within 60 days after receiving each report unless it requests and receives an extension.

The proposed text says the ombudsman must hire two intake and outreach specialists, two associate ombudsmen, and two research and data analysts. These positions would be in the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman within the Department of Justice.