The Washington State Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) is an independent and impartial agency that helps individuals navigate state systems serving children, youth, and families. In 2025, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5032, expanding OFCO’s responsibilities to include oversight of Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) facilities. The new Juvenile Rehabilitation Ombuds role ensures that residents of Washington’s JR facilities are treated fairly and reasonably, providing oversight and accountability as needed.
The Ombuds investigates complaints about a Washington state agency’s action or conduct that involve:
- Any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm.
- A child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.
- The safety or welfare of children in state care.
- Any individual residing in a Juvenile Rehabilitation facility.
How to make a complaint:
- In Person: A JR Ombuds will visit each JR facility at least once a month.
- By Phone:
- Residents can ask their counselor to arrange a private call with the Ombuds.
- Community members:
- Phone: 206-439-3870
- Toll-Free: 1-800-571-7321
- TTY: 206-439-3789
- Online:
- Community members can submit a complaint form online at ofco.wa.gov.
- By Tablet:
- Harbor Heights residents can contact the Ombuds directly through their tablets.
- By Mail:
- Residents can complete a complaint form (located at their facility), seal it in an envelope, and place it in the grievance box on their unit. Facility staff will collect and forward the letters to the Ombuds.
- Community members:
- Send mail to:
Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds 6840 Fort Dent Way, Suite 125
Mail Stop TT-99
Tukwila, WA 98188
- Send mail to:
How does an investigation work?
The Ombuds investigation focuses on the actions and conduct of the state child welfare agency. The Ombuds collects and reviews information and evidence from the complainant, state agency staff, and other sources and reviews relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. Once all the information and evidence is collected and analyzed, the Ombuds determines what happened and whether the state child welfare agency followed state laws, rules, and agency policies. If the allegations in the complaint are substantiated, the Ombuds will make recommendations to the state agency to resolve the complaint.
Are complaints to the Ombuds confidential?
Yes. State laws require the Ombuds to maintain confidentiality of all matters under investigation, including the identity of the complainant, unless disclosure is necessary to enable the Ombuds to carry out duties and to support recommendations. The Ombuds may not disclose confidential records obtained from an agency.
When should someone submit a complaint to the Ombuds?
If you feel the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ conduct is harmful to a family, child, or individual residing at a Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, and inconsistent with laws and policies, please submit a complaint. While we encourage everyone to try to resolve their concerns directly with the state agency involved, you are not required to exhaust other procedures before submitting a complaint to the Ombuds.
