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Louisiana’s Children Need Strong Advocates

Louisiana’s Children need strong advocates. Louisiana’s children, who have no voice, no political sway, and no authority, need YOU on their side, working to make Louisiana a better place for children!

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Louisiana Office of Children's OmbudsDownload our new advocacy paper:  Louisiana Requires an Office of Children’s Ombuds
ombudsman graphicsSee the Quick Explainer InfographicWhy Louisiana Requires an Office of Children’s Ombuds
ombudsman graphicsLearn what Ombuds for Children Do:  Children’s Ombudspersons: Their Work and Responsibilities
letter to Louisiana Senate Health and WelfareRead our open letter to the Louisiana Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee regarding Louisiana’s need for an Office of Children’s Ombuds.
Louisiana Legislature child welfare legislationRead the one page, The Louisiana Legislature is Active on Children’s Bills, but Louisiana Ranks Poorly on Child Well-being. Would an Office of Children’s Ombudsman Help?
Directory of State Legislation Creating Ombudsman Services for ChildrenInterested in ombuds legislation? It’s here: Directory of State Legislation Creating Ombudsman Services for Children in the United States.
Logic Model for Louisiana Office of Children's OmbudsReview a Simple Logic Model for Office of Children’s Ombudsman
Logic Model for Louisiana Office of Children's OmbudsRead the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about a Louisiana Children’s Ombudsman

In the NewsJim Beam column: Children, juveniles need help by Jim Beam, American Press. March 18, 2023.

YouTubePresentation to the Baton Rouge Press Club by Rick Wheat about Creating a Louisiana Office of Childrens Ombudsman. January 23, 2023.

In the NewsLouisiana an outlier for lacking children’s ombudsman | News | theadvocate.com. December 25, 2022.

In the NewsGuest column: Louisiana needs an ombudsman for children | Opinions and Editorials | nola.com. December 17, 2022.


Special Emphasis:  Louisiana Needs an Ombudsman for Children

Louisiana's Children need strong advocatesLouisiana lacks what most states have, an objective state official to hear, resolve, and report on the complaints of children and parents related to state services for children. We do not have an Office of Children’s Ombuds.

An ombudsman is an independent official who investigates and resolves complaints made by members of the public about government agencies or organizations. An office of ombudsman for children is a government agency or organization that investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of children about government agencies or organizations.

Not having an Ombuds for children makes Louisiana harder for all of us – parents, grandparents, relative caregivers, foster caregivers, and especially, our children.

For example, if you should have a complaint about the services your child receives (or does not receive) from a Louisiana state office or department, there is no state official appointed to hear you and help you resolve your grievance. No state office or official hears Louisiana’s concerns and reports the official findings to the Legislature and the public.


Louisiana Has No Ombudsman Services for Children

Louisiana has no impartial, independent official or office that is responsible for hearing grievances related to children’s services, ensuring complaints are resolved, and reporting on them to the public, the Legislature, and the Governor. To the point, Louisiana lacks a fundamental element of infrastructure required to improve child well-being: an Office of Children’s Ombuds.

As systems fail to protect children or even passively allow harm, Louisiana must find a way to hear the complaints, resolve the grievances, and transparently report on the findings of a Louisiana Office of Children’s Ombuds.

In Louisiana Requires an Office of Children’s Ombuds we propose that Louisiana create an Office of Children’s Ombuds to hear the grievances of children and families, resolve their complaints, and report publicly regarding findings and opportunities to improve Louisiana’s services for children.

Learn More: Office of Children’s Ombuds


Louisiana’s Children Need Strong Advocates

Join us! If you would like to stay on top of the effort to persuade Louisiana’s Legislature and Governor to create an Office of Children’s Ombuds, share your contact information with us. You will receive periodic updates about the movement to create a Louisiana Office of Children’s Ombuds.

If you wish to receive information by postal mail about advocating for Louisiana's children, please provide your postal address.
If you have are interested in a particular aspect of child advocacy, or wish additional information about how you might become involved, please leave a comment or message.

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