The Office of the Child Advocate is an independent, impartial state agency mandated to oversee all state executive agency-provided, contracted, or agreed upon, services for children to ensure children’s best interests are protected (RSA 21-V). If a citizen complaint is unresolved by the involved state agency personnel, including the DHHS Ombudsman (603-271-6941), the Office of the Child Advocate may listen to complaints, investigate and seek resolution in the interest of the child.

Mission of the Office of the Child Advocate

The mission of the Office of the Child Advocate is to lift up children by promoting equitable and effective reforms that meet the best interests of all New Hampshire children and strengthen public confidence and accountability in the State’s systems that support children and families.

Our Vision for New Hampshire's Children:

  • All children thrive in a safe, stable, healthy, and loving home; and have equitable access to education, health care, and other community resources
  • All families have the support they need so their children flourish Services for children are accessible, integrated, evidence-based, appropriately resourced, high quality, and supported by well trained, trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive staff
  • There is a robust array of prevention resources that support children and families at home and in their communities, and at younger ages and earlier stages of need
  • State child-serving agencies are coordinated and connected in their work
  • Elected officials understand the needs of children and families and put the best interests of children first