NC H165

Establishes a Child and Family Welfare Ombudsman Office within the Department of Health and Human Services to assist foster parents, birth families, and youth involved in the child welfare system with issues including licensing, placement, and adoption procedures

Grants the Office authority to access court and state databases, investigate complaints, mediate disputes, offer educational classes, and assist resource parents with licensure waiver applications

Requires the Ombuds and staff to have work or lived experience in foster care, and mandates the Office operate neutrally without interference from other agencies

Provides whistleblower protections prohibiting adverse actions against persons in the foster care system who report legal or ethical violations to the Office

Appropriates $137,000 for FY 2025-2026 and $145,000 for FY 2026-2027 to fund one full-time employee, with the Office required to be operational by January 1, 2026