RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Ralph Northam has named Eric J. Reynolds as the first director of the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman. Reynolds has served as Staff Attorney for Court Improvement Programs at the Virginia Supreme Court for the past several years.

The office was created by the General Assembly in 2020 and will receive complaints and investigate and review actions of the Virginia Department of Social Services, local departments of social services, child-placing agencies, or child-caring institutions.

Previously, families could only file a complaint with a local department of social services or with the Department of Social Services.

Reynolds’ office will also monitor and ensure compliance with laws and policies pertaining to child protective services and the placement, supervision, treatment, and delivery of care to children in foster care and adoptive homes.

An independent agency, the Children’s Ombudsman also has the ability to advocate for legislation.