Specialty Chapters

One of the most exciting developments in our association in recent years has been the development of chapters among our members for networking and training with ombudsman offices that serve special populations or work in a specialty field. USOA currently has specialty chapters for Children & Families, Corrections, Healthcare, Municipal Government, and Public Schools.

Chapters may organize special presentations and training at USOA's annual conference and at other times during the year. Chapter chairs participate as ex officio members of the Board of Directors.

E-mail lists have been created for each chapter.  Chapter members can use the e-mail list to post news articles, news releases, and links to investigative and annual reports that would be of interest to others in the field.  Or they can post a question or concern and ask other chapter members to provide them with feedback or advice.  These smaller, topic-specific discussion groups are a useful and helpful way to interact with colleagues in the ombudsman community.

USOA Members can click here to see a list of Chapter e-mail lists.

For information on current chapter activities, contact the chair or USOA's Business Office.

Corrections Chapter

• Oscar Harriott -Lincoln, NE
  Deputy Ombudsman for Corrections
  Public Counsel/Ombudsman Office
  PO Box 94712
  State Capitol, Room 807
  Lincoln, NE 58509-4712 USA
  402-471-2035 Fax 402-471-4277
  OHarriott@unicam.state.ne.us

• Kristie Hirschman, Assistant for Small Business
  Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman
  1112 East Grand Avenue
  Ola Babcock Miller Building
  Des Moines, IA  50273
  515-281-3592  Fax:  515-242-6007
  kristie.hirschman@legis.state.ia.us

Education Chapter

• Dana Abrams
  St. Paul Public Schools
  360 Colborne Street
  St. Paul, MN 55102
  Phone: 651-767-8119 
  FAX 651-290-8386
  dana.abrams@spps.org
  
  Mary Jo Reiter, Ombudsman
  Minneapolis Public Schools
  Minneapolis, MN 55411
  612-668-1848 Fax 612-668-1831
  ombudsperson@mpls.k12.mn.us

Children and Families Chapter

• Gerald R. Papica, Ed.D., Ombudsman
  Office of the Ombudsman for Children & Families
  Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth
  710 James Robertson Parkway, 9th Floor
  Nashville, TN 37243-0800
  615-532-1572 FAX 615-532-1591
  gerald.papica@tn.gov
   
• Joanne MacDonnell, Deputy Ombudsman for Arizona
  Arizona's Ombudsman Office
  3737 N 7th Street, Suite 209
  Phoenix, AZ 85014
  602-285-9136 FAX 602-277-7312
  jmacdonnell@azoca.gov

• Michael Turpenoff, Operations Officer
  Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Office
  U.S. Department of Education
  830 First Street, 4th Floor
  Washington DC 20202-5144
  202-377-3477 Fax 202-275-0549
  mike.turpenoff@ed.gov
   

Healthcare Chapter

• Roberta Opheim - St. Paul, MN
  Ombudsman for Mental Health & Mental Retardation
  121 7th Pl. E., Ste 420 Metro Square Bldg.
  St. Paul, MN 55101
  651-296-7831 Fax 651-296-1021
  Roberta.Opheim@state.mn.us 

• Gene Raney, Ombudsman
  Virginia Office of Health Benefits
  101 N. 14th St.
  Richmond, VA 23219
  Phone 804-371-7932
  Fax 804-371-0231
  gene.raney@dhrm.virginia.gov
   

Municipal Government Chapter

• Amy Calderwood, King County Office of Citizen Complaints
  Yesler Building, 400 Yesler Way #240
  Seattle WA 98104-2312
  Phone: 206-296-3506
  FAX: 206-296-0948
  National 800: 1-800-325-6165
  amy.calderwood@metrokc.gov