The HSSO focuses on ensuring resources and services are appropriately and efficiently provided to Idaho children in foster care, protective supervision, or residential treatment facilities in Idaho in addition to:

• Receiving and responding to complaints related to services provided to Idaho children in foster care, protective supervision, or residential treatment facilities;
• Informing service recipients and their families of their rights under state and federal law;
• Compiling and analyzing data regarding trends, problems, and challenges in providing health and social services for purposes of recommending changes to Idaho child welfare laws;
• Reporting annually to the Governor, Legislature, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Judiciary, and other state agencies on the work of his office and Idaho child welfare system operations;
• Educating the public about the role of the office.