(A) The youth and family ombudsman office shall have access to only the records of the department of job and family services that are necessary for the administration of sections 5101.89 to 5101.899 of the Revised Code and in the performance of its official duties, including any records maintained in the uniform statewide automated child welfare information system under section 5101.13 of the Revised Code. The office has the right to request of the director of job and family services necessary information from any work unit of the department having information. The collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of information by the office shall be performed in a manner that protects complainants, individuals providing information about a complaint, public entities, and confidential records.

(B) The office shall have access to any necessary records in the control of a public children services agency, a Title IV-E agency, or a private provider agency that administers or oversees foster care or placement services for the children services system.

(C) Files of the office and any records contained in those files are not public records subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. Information contained in investigative and other files maintained by the office shall be disclosed only at the discretion of the office or if disclosure is required by a court order.