OCA Responsibilies

The Child Welfare Law states that The Child Advocate has the following responsibilities:

• Ensuring that children receive timely, safe and effective services.
• Ensuring that children placed in care or under the supervision of the Commonwealth receive humane and dignified treatment, including respect for the child’s privacy and right to free and appropriate education.
• Examining on a system-wide basis the care and services provided to children.
• Advising the public and the highest government officials about how to improve services to children and families.

The OCA investigates critical incidents involving children receiving services from the Commonwealth, reviews complaints regarding these services, and works with state agencies to develop inter-agency coordination. The OCA has a special responsibility toward children in the care of the Commonwealth and in helping to resolve the problems of youth in foster care.