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New Health and Social Services Ombudsman outlines remit, staffing needs as office starts case intake
Summary
Ombudsman Trevor Sparrow described the office’s role investigating foster-care and residential-placement complaints, said the office has three FTE and $470,000 appropriated (FY2025), and requested higher personnel funding to recruit at salary levels recommended by DHR.
The newly created Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman introduced itself to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15, explaining its jurisdiction, staffing and funding and asking for support to recruit and retain qualified personnel.
Alex Williamson, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee that Senate Bill 1380 established the ombudsman within the structure of state government and that the governor appointed Trevor Sparrow to the position on Nov. 27. The office was appropriated three full-time positions and $470,000 for fiscal year 2025, Williamson said; $450,000 of that is ongoing general-fund appropriation while $20,000 was one-time capital outlay to set up the office.
Sparrow, the…
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