Louisiana Child Ombuds Report. Did you read it?

Have you read the latest Louisiana Child Ombuds Report or seen the current report of the Louisiana Foster Care Ombudsman?

No.  No, you have not.

Louisiana does not have a Children’s Ombudsman, and our state lacks a Foster Care Ombuds.

Louisiana is in the very small minority of states that do not offer citizens a Children’s Ombudsman Office. Louisiana is among the four worst states for children, and all four lack an Ombudsman for Children.

Louisiana has no objective ear to hear the grievances of parents and guardians whose children are not receiving the services they require from state agencies. No state office or agency gathers data about the quality of services children receive from state agencies. No Louisiana Office of Ombudsman for Children provides an annual report to the public or the Louisiana Legislature. The State of Louisiana does not monitor or report the resolution of grievances about children’s services.

Louisiana is among the last of the 50 states to offer Ombuds services for children. However, if Louisiana had an Office of Children’s Ombuds to monitor and protect children’s rights and make annual reports to the Louisiana Legislature, the Louisiana Child Ombuds Report would be similar to these examples from other states.

Texas: 2020 Report of the Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care

Maine: Pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A. § 4087-A the Ombudsman must report annually to the Governor, Legislature, and to the Department of Health and Human Services. The Program reports since 2003 are available here and by request to the Ombudsman’s office.

Rhode Island: Reports of the Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate