Va. Code § 2.2-442: Children's Ombudsman; powers and duties

In addition to any powers described in this chapter, the Children's Ombudsman has the authority to do all of the following with regard to children receiving child-protective services, in foster care, or placed for adoption and children who may have died as a result of alleged abuse or neglect:1. Pursue all necessary action, including legal action, to protect the rights and welfare of such children;2. Pursue legislative advocacy in the best interest of such children;3. Review policies and procedures relating to any child-serving agency's involvement with such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint and make recommendations for improvement;4. Initiate investigations of administrative acts of the Department, a local department, a children's residential facility, or a child-placing agency in cases relating to such children upon the Ombudsman's own initiative or upon receipt of a complaint; and5. Subject to an appropriation of funds, commence and conduct investigations into alleged violations of the rights of a foster parent.2020, c. 1090; 2023, c. 750; 2024, c. 280.