Office of Family and Children's Ombudsman ACTIVITY SUMMARY
December 1996	Director Ombudsman's three-year appointment effective.
January 1997	Director Ombudsman begins meetings around the state with legislators, family and children's advocates, foster parents, and others regarding hopes and expectations for OFCO.
February 1997	Database administrator hired; furniture and equipment needs identified.
March 1997	Development of automated complaint tracking system begins.
April 1997	Western Washington Advisory Committee meets for first time in Seattle Governor's Office approves OFCO's administrative and operational autonomy. Development of internal operating policies and procedures begins. Two of three Ombudsmen hired.
May 1997	Third of three ombudsmen hired. Office fully furnished and equipped. Interagency protocol with DSHS/Children's Administration developed. Staff given overview on investigative planning and techniques by Washington State Patrol. Staff trained on CAMIS (DSHS case and management information system).
June 1997	Automated complaint tracking system operational. OFCO web page operational OFCO "Guide to Services" and complaint form produced. Operating policies and procedures finalized. Emergency rules adopted. Governor Locke announces OFCO's opening. OFCO receives Wenatchee petition. OFCO begins reviewing complaints. Community forum held in Spokane. OFCO receives 84 contacts this month.
July 1997	OFCO receives 96 contacts this month.
August 1997	OFCO receives 85 contacts this month. Western Washington Advisory Committee meets for second time in Tacoma. OFCO meets with juvenile court judges and commissioners in Seattle.
September 1997	OFCO receives 97 contacts this month. Permanent rules adopted. OFCO keynotes annual United Grandparents Raising Grandchildren conference in Seattle. OFCO conducts workshop at annual Foster Parents of Washington State (FPAWS) conference in Yakima. OFCO attends DSHS/Children's Administration All Supervisors Conference in Seattle. Western Washington Advisory Committee meets for third time in Olympia.
October 1997	OFCO receives 127 contacts this month. Central and Eastern Washington Advisory Committee meets for the first and second times in Spokane and Yakima, respectively. Western Washington Advisory Committee meets for fourth time in Renton. OFCO meets with Kitsap County Bar Family Law Section in Port Orchard. OFCO presents at Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) annual conference in Yakima. Staff trained on Children Protection Services risk assessment tool. Decision to conduct targeted review of Wenatchee child sex abuse investigations announced.
November 1997	OFCO receives 96 contacts this month. OFCO meets with Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration regarding development of interagency protocol. OFCO presents at Reasonable Efforts Symposium in Richland. OFCO presents at South West Agency on Aging/Parents Again Conference in Vancouver. OFCO makes informal visits to Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration contracted group homes in Tacoma, Seattle, Renton, Everett, and Spokane.