Virginia Code 2.2-440: Procedures; training; complaint; investigation; notification of safety concerns
A. The Ombudsman shall establish procedures for the Office for budget, expenditures, and employment. Subject to annual appropriations, the Ombudsman shall employ sufficient personnel to carry out the duties and powers prescribed by this chapter.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 2.2-440
- Abused or neglected child: means the same as that term is defined in § 63. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Child: means an individual under the age of 18. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Child-serving agency: means (i) a state agency that provides services to children, including the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Social Services, and the Office of Children's Services, and (ii) a local entity that provides services to children and that receives funding from a state agency under clause (i). See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Complainant: means an individual who makes a complaint pursuant to § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Foster care: means care provided to a child by a foster parent, children's residential facility, or group home licensed or approved by the Department under Chapter 9 of Title 63. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Office: means the Office of the Children's Ombudsman established under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
- Ombudsman: means the individual appointed to head the Office of the Children's Ombudsman under § 2. See Virginia Code 2.2-438
B. The Ombudsman shall establish procedures for receiving and processing complaints from complainants and individuals not meeting the definition of complainant, conducting investigations, holding informal hearings, and reporting findings and recommendations resulting from investigations.
C. Personnel employed by the Office shall receive mandatory training in domestic violence and in handling complaints alleging that a child is an abused or neglected child.
D. The Ombudsman shall notify a child-serving agency of any immediate safety concerns regarding a child or children who are part of an active or open child protective services or foster care case. This notification shall occur as soon as possible, but not later than one business day after the Ombudsman becomes aware of the concerns.