Children's ombudsmen's work in other countries suggests that a strong, independent, government child advocacy agency can provide an important alternative to overloaded courts and social service agencies. Ombudsmen's programs located within each state government are seen as essential to providing timely, realistic protection for children. (ET)

Notes that effective advocacy for children must build bridges between those who know most about and care most for children, those who are the powerful, and policymakers whose decisions affect the children's lives. Suggests that state-based, statewide child advocacy programs are most efficient and most effective. (ET)