Connecticut Senate Bill SB00871

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/21
• Refer: 2/10/21
• Report Pass: 3/15/21

Caption

An Act Establishing The Office Of The Department Of Children And Families Ombudsman.

Impact

The establishment of this office is expected to improve oversight of child welfare services in the state. By having an independent ombudsman, there will be a dedicated mechanism for families and individuals to voice their concerns, thereby potentially leading to enhancements in the quality and execution of services provided by the Department of Children and Families. This level of oversight could also encourage transparency and responsiveness within the department, impacting overall service delivery for vulnerable populations.

Summary

SB00871 aims to establish the Office of the Department of Children and Families Ombudsman within the Office of Governmental Accountability, with an effective date of July 1, 2021. This new office will be tasked with receiving and investigating complaints regarding services rendered by the Department of Children and Families, which is crucial for ensuring accountability in child welfare services. The bill positions the ombudsman as an independent body tasked with overseeing the quality of care and services for children under the department’s custody and those provided by contracted agencies.

Contention

While the bill is generally supported among those advocating for child welfare, concerns may arise regarding the potential bureaucratic expansion and resource allocation towards the ombudsman office. Some stakeholders might question whether the creation of this office will result in substantive changes or merely serve as an additional layer of reporting without effectively addressing the underlying issues faced by the department. Furthermore, there may be implications for how complaints are prioritized and handled, as the dynamics between the ombudsman and the departments involved will require careful management to ensure they function cooperatively.