Director/Ombudsman

Mary Meinig is the Director of the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman, which investigates complaints about the actions of state child welfare agencies involving children at risk of abuse or neglect, or families involved with child protection services. In addition to addressing complaints, as the Director Ombudsman, Ms. Meinig identifies system-wide issues and recommendations to the Governor, the Legislature and agency officials. Prior to joining the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombudsman in 1997, Ms. Meinig maintained a successful clinical and consulting practice that focused on issues of victimization, family reunification and family resolution. She also worked as an associate for Northwest Treatment Associates for five years where she worked with children and families affected by abuse and trauma. Prior to her work at Northwest Treatment Associates, Ms. Meinig’s social work experience included residential treatment, child protective services and school social work. She received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington in 1974.

Ombudsman

Diane Dobrowolski is a social worker with extensive experience working with children and families.  Prior to joining OFCO, Ms. Dobrowolski was Manager of Family Practice for Casey Family Programs, leading that agency’s family development and family group decision making work.  Ms. Dobrowolski was also a social worker, family developer and clinical supervisor for Casey Family Programs for many years.  Prior to working for Casey, Ms. Dobrowolski worked as an in-home therapist for a family preservation program and as a social worker for public child welfare services for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Ms. Dobrowolski received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Temple University and her Master’s in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.  Ms. Dobrowolski joined OFCO in July 2012.

Patrick Dowd is a licensed attorney with public defense experience representing clients in dependency, termination of parental rights, juvenile offender and adult criminal proceedings. He was also a managing attorney with the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) Parents Representation Program and previously worked for OFCO as an ombudsman from 1999 to 2005. Through his work at OFCO and OPD, Mr. Dowd has extensive professional experience in child welfare law and policy. Mr. Dowd graduated from Seattle University and earned his J.D. at the University of Oregon.

Cristina Limpens is a social worker with extensive experience in public child welfare in Washington State.  Prior to joining OFCO, Ms. Limpens spent approximately six years as a quality assurance program manager for Children’s Administration working to improve social work practice and promote accountability and outcomes for children and families.  Prior to this work, Ms. Limpens spent more than six years as a caseworker working with children and families involved in the child welfare system.  Ms. Limpens earned her MSW from the University of Washington. She joined OFCO in June 2012.

Colleen Shea-Brown is a licensed attorney with experience representing parents and other relatives in dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings at Legal Services for New York’s Bronx office. She received her law degree from New York University, where she participated in the school’s Family Defense Clinic. Ms. Shea-Brown has also worked extensively with victims of domestic violence, advocated for women’s rights in India, and served as a residential counselor for a women’s shelter in Washington, D.C. Following law school, Ms. Shea-Brown served as a clerk to the Honorable Gabriel W. Gorenstein in the Southern District of New York.

Corey Fitzpatrick Wood is a licensed attorney with experience representing parents and in dependency proceedings as well as youth in truancy and at-risk youth proceedings. She received her law degree from University of Washington, where she participated in the school’s Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic. Ms. Wood has worked extensively with at-risk youth and currently serves as Board President for Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington. Prior to law school, Ms. Wood worked for OFCO as the Information and Referral Specialist.

Intake Screener/Office and Database Administrator

Kaity Zander holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Before joining OFCO in April 2012, Ms. Zander worked as a Child Advocate in Walworth County, Wisconsin. During that time, she worked within the capacity of the child welfare system by providing counseling and referral services for children and families who had been affected by abuse and neglect. Ms. Zander also gained experience in data collection and analysis relating to funding and grant compliance requirements. Prior to these opportunities, Ms. Zander completed an undergraduate internship with Child Protective Services, where she conducted initial assessment investigations and provided ongoing case management services.