The Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) was established under the authority of Senate Bill 933 (Chapter 311, Statutes of 1998) as an autonomous entity for the purpose of providing children who are placed in foster care, either voluntarily or pursuant to Section 300 and Sections 600, with a means to resolve issues related to their care, placement, or services (WIC 16161). The OFCO acts as a fact finder to provide complainants with an avenue for independent review of their concerns related to a youth in foster care. The OFCO conducts impartial investigations and strives to resolve both individual complaints and systemic issues on behalf of foster youth and a wide range of people including biological parents, relatives, foster parents, community members, social workers, and advocates. The OFCO conducts fact-finding, data collection, consultation and interviews to resolve complaints. After an investigation is completed the OFCO makes recommendations or refers the issues to the appropriate agency for resolution
In order to effectively conduct investigations, the OFCO has the authority to access any record of a state or local agency that is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office and may meet or communicate with any foster youth in the youth’s placement or elsewhere. However, the FCO does not have authority to independently challenge court decisions; change case plans; pursue local administrative personnel actions or pursue discrimination complaints.
