Update from OFCCP

Date:  January 25, 2023

To:  Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Providers

Subject: Update from the Office of the Ombuds for Family Child Care

 

Dear Family Child Care Provider,

As we wrap up our work from 2022 and look forward into the new year, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication to young children’s care and learning.  Family child care providers do so much more than watch children while their parents work.  You are the essential backbone of our state’s current and future economic success.

In these first six months of work, I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling to meet groups of family child care providers and hear the triumphs and challenges of working with young children in licensed child care programs.  One of the first questions I often get is, “What is an Ombuds?”  Here’s what the International Ombuds Association says:

The name ombudsman (om*budz*man) comes from Sweden and literally means representative.  An ombuds assists individuals and groups in the resolution of conflicts or concerns. There are various forms of the title for this position: ombuds, ombudsman, or ombudsperson among others.

Ombuds work in all types of organizations, including government agencies. There are also different types of ombuds roles, functional responsibilities, and standards of practice including organizational ombuds, classical ombuds, and advocate ombuds. The standards of practice and functional responsibilities can be very different from one ombuds office to another. 

The Office of the Ombuds for Family Child Care Providers is authorized by Minnesota Statute 245.975 to be your advocate. The office is non-partisan and services are offered at no charge to the users.  An ombuds does not give legal advice or represent providers during court proceedings.  The office is independent of DHS and the ombuds is not a regulator.

This office is your place to turn for accurate and up-to-date information, support and guidance. If you would like to have an informational meeting in your area to discuss local concerns, please reach out and we can work together on arrangements to make it happen. 

Looking forward: the OFCCP website is under construction; I am examining correction orders, variances and licensing actions for trends to guide future recommendations for regulatory improvements; and the ombuds office will be hosting a statewide family child care conference in October.

The OFCCP is here and ready to help.  Please reach out to me by email Ombuds.fccp@state.mn.us or by phone 612-322-2241. An interpreter will be provided at your request.

Respectfully,

Lisa Thompson                                                                                            

Ombuds for Family Child Care Providers