california foster care ombudsman
These agencies may be contacted as follows: If your employer retaliates against you because of your efforts to report alleged wrongdoing, you may wish to seek whistleblower protection pursuant to California. In addition, individuals who experience violations of law can often file a lawsuit in court. Jones said in her own case, without a rescue from a sympathetic case worker, her trajectory might have been far worse. This is the division of the State Department of Social Services that licenses and oversees foster family agencies, daycares, group homes, short-term therapeutic residential facilities, foster homes, and residential care for children (and adults) throughout California. If you are a former foster youth, The OFCO provides trainings on the services provided by our office, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and the reasonable and prudent parent standards.. Contact your social worker/probation officer and lawyer. I need to know what law pertains to my situation. hb``c``6e```0D8!A2Sa 2RLb\813s6F&lb>qqKkU^Ok'+X:\# E" Once you register, you will automatically be redirected to a Zoom confirmation page. We suggest that you consult with your attorney. Who should I contact? endstream endobj startxref Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." Click here to order publications. Who should I contact? Web(a) The Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson shall do all of the following: (1) Disseminate information on the rights of children and youth in foster care and the services provided by the office. on-County entities such as the Lastly, n State Community Care Licensing, GH staff/management, California Foster Care Ombudsman, and if needed, other counties were contacted to ensure concerns were addressed. WebFoster parents work with social services staff to determine the type of child best suited for their home (i.e., age, health issues, and gender). College / Higher education. Who can help me? File a complaint with your countys Civil Rights Coordinator. 11 0 obj <> endobj As a young person in foster care, you have: The right to be treated with respect. Is your complaint related to the amount of a child support order, custody orders, visitation orders, or spousal support orders? The law that explains the Foster Youth Bill of Rights is Welfare and Institutions Code 16001.9. Generally, those issues handled at the local level may include hiring and evaluation of staff, classroom assignments, student advancement and retention, selection/provision of textbooks and materials, student discipline, provision of core curricula subjects, facilities, graduation requirements, homework policies and practices, use of general education funds, dress codes, and school uniforms. 8-13-25 Sacramento, CA 95814 1-(877) 846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. You have the right to do some things on your own. First, try resolving the situation with your countys chain of command. This agency may be contacted as follows: How do I obtain court records (e.g. This agency may be contacted as follows: If you wish to file a claim for monetary damages you believe were caused by a state agency, please contact the Government ClaimsProgram. 144 0 obj <>stream If you have a complaint against the judge assigned to this case, contact the Commission on Judicial Performance. Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. Find out how a physician can enroll you in Medi-Cal, how to receive free health screenings, and family planning services. Do you have complaints about your family law case? 94 0 obj <>stream Court records are kept in the court clerk's office. hb``P```^T Health care. I want to file a complaint about the Social Security Administration. Write your complaint in a formal letter and address it to the director of the county child welfare agency. Attracting and retaining quality caregivers is critical to achieving positive outcomes for children and families and to ensuring the success of child welfare improvement efforts. That should be the motto of the work we do in health care because we have so much work to do with our patient population but lack the manpower often to execute it. California law gives discretionary authority to a locally elected prosecutor in filing criminal actions. The Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. For more information on how the If you believe you have information indicating criminal conduct on the part of a public employee, you should immediately contact the appropriate, If you feel your complaint about improper governmental activities has not been addressed satisfactorily by the local government agency, consider submitting your complaint to the county grand jury. To receive credit, you will have to be actively participating for 85% of the training. What free or low-cost legal assistance is available? Who should I contact? &" For complaints against county employees or agencies, address your complaint to the head of the county agency, the county counsel's office and your representative on the county Board of Supervisors. You may want to contact the California Department of Education (CDE), which has limited jurisdiction over some types of complaints against schools and school districts. Webfoster care. If you have information that an employer is committing tax evasion, please contact the appropriate state and/or federal tax enforcement agencies. You have the right to: You have health rights. You have the right to: You have the right to a CFT. You can also contact us if you need help finding resources or if you are a former foster youth who needs a verification letter, (sometimes called a dependency letter or ward of the court letter), . Your correspondence must include specific information about misconduct that violates state law, the details of your efforts to resolve the complaint with the local authorities, copies of your complaint(s) to the local authorities and copies of their response(s). The California Secretary of State provides authentication (apostille or certification) of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States. WebCall 209-468-1104 to complete a referral by phone. The California DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OMBUDSMAN FO R FOSTER CARE (Not DHCS) Information on the rights of children and youth who are There is a proverb that says, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.. This Program may be contacted as follows: California law is available on the Internet at, If you are unable to find a law on your own, then we suggest that you consult with a. I think a law should be enacted, amended, or revoked. If you have any questions or need any further information, please consult with your County Clerk or County Recorder's Office, the. You have the right to: You have school rights. You may obtain a referral to a certified lawyer referral service by contacting the State Bar at (866)442-2529 (toll-free in California) or (415)538-2250 (from outside California), or via their website at: My employer is discriminating against me. WebRetired Judge, Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County 16 Janay Eustace Deputy Director, California Youth Connection; Former Foster Youth 17 Larry Fluharty Ombudsman, Foster Care 18 Bob Friend Director, National Institute for Permanent Family Connectedness 19 Leticia Galyean Chief Executive Officer, Seneca Family of Agencies 20 email: info@ombudsman.parliament.nz; phone: 0800 802 602; post: The Ombudsman PO Box 10152 Wellington 6143. If youre making a complaint by email, fax or letter, include: your personal details, including your postal address; information about your complaint, including the steps youve taken to resolve your complaint and the outcome you want WebOffice of the Foster Care Ombudsperson 744 P Street, M.S. This information is also listed in the Notice of Action you should have received when the county notified you of decertification. I am the victim of a crime. If you have knowledge of misconduct by a teacher or principal, please contact: Finally, you may wish to consult with an attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. There is a proverb that says, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.. WebOffice of the Ombudsman Reference Guide (PDF) Foster Care Resources: Required posting for licensed foster care providers: Foster care facility poster (PDF) Give this to young people in foster care! Free Help Line: 1-877-846-1602 California County Independent Living Program (ILP) and Polinsky Children's Center A written description of the procedure is available from all law enforcement agencies. When the Legislature enacted the Public Records Act in 1968, it provided several judicial remedies for persons who believed that they had been wrongfully denied records to which they were entitled. An ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve complaints about government actions, and when appropriate, make systemic recommendations based on findings. (PDF) Brochure for People Who Use Medicaid: Need Help with Medicaid? Our office does not maintain court records. WebCalifornia Coalition for Youth: 24/7 Youth Crisis Line 1 (800)843-5200 California Foster Care Ombudsmans Office: Focuses on foster youth rights and facts. the concern is about the rights, care, placement, or services of the foster child. Ma'Khia Bryant death: Former foster-care kids say youth ombudsman in Ohio could make a difference. We solve problems and complaints about foster youth rights violations and the care, placement, and services of youth in foster care. WebThe office of the State Ombudsman for Foster Care is mandated to perform three main functions: (1) Disseminate information on the rights of children and youth in Foster Care Are you a current or former foster youth or KinGap youth? A local government agency has failed to comply with my Public Records Act request. Do you have complaints about child welfare practices and social worker conduct? If this is your first time applying for an iFoster phone, click the link below to apply! This agency also handles complaints from employees who are retaliated against by their employer because they refuse to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a state or federal statute, or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation. Who should I contact? You may contact the Commission as follows: I have a complaint against a state correctional facility or correctional employee. h{ioG_m4. Who should I contact? Advokids. Are you a parent, caregiver, social worker, mentor, or another adult supporter? Do you have concerns about the quality of a foster home or community care facility? Does your lawyer not respond to your contact attempts or return your calls or emails? California registry of in-home providers who have passed a background screening. treat you unfairly because of your race, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, HIV status, or membership in a federally recognized Indian tribe, live in a home or STRTP that maintains the social and cultural standards of your Tribe and tribal community, live in a home of your relatives or extended family or a home that is licensed, approved, or specified by your Tribe, live in an Indian foster home that is licensed or approved, or a facility that is approved by your Tribe or an Indian organization that meets your needs, live in a place that reflects and keeps you connected to the cultural and social standards of your Tribe and/or tribal community, contact your ICWA advocate and have them attend court, contact your Tribe, tribal members, and Indian community, have a social worker/probation officer, and lawyer who is trained in ICWA, participate in traditional Native American religious practices, get help becoming a member of an Indian tribe or Alaskan village, get all the benefits that come from being a member of an Indian tribe or Alaskan village, be free from discrimination and be recognized for your relationship with an Indian Tribe or Alaskan village, have protections for your tribal relationship in your case plan, live in a home or STRTP based on your gender identity, be called by your chosen name and gender pronouns, see a doctor or counselor who is gender affirming, have clothing, grooming, and hygiene products that respect your gender identity and expression, have a caregiver, social worker/probation officer, and lawyer that have been trained on SOGIE and how to care for LGBTQ+ youth, stay at your same school if its best for you, get partial credits for all classes you were passing if you change schools, have priority enrollment in pre-school and after-school programs, have priority enrollment at California State Universities and community colleges, access information about college and career education programs, get information about your sexual health in a way that you understand, use or refuse services for birth control, condoms, other types of protection, and pregnancy care, including abortion, without telling an adult, get healthcare services for sexual assault without telling an adult, if you are 12 years or older, choose your own doctor or counselor and make decisions about preventing, testing, or treating STIs and HIV without permission from any adult, get gender affirming mental health treatment, work with your doctor to safely stop taking psychotropic medication, refuse to take psychotropic medication, and no one can punish you for it, know about your diagnosis and understand treatment options, get help with an alcohol or drug problem without permission, get mental health services in a place that meets your needs, if you are 12 years or older, choose your own doctor or counselor and make decisions, see a doctor, dentist, eye doctor, or talk to a counselor when you need to, refuse to take any medicines, vitamins, or herbs, and no one can punish you for it, have the risks/benefits of treatment explained to you in a way that is easy to understand, tell the judge what you want to have happen in your case, tell the judge how you feel about your psychotropic medications, ask the judge for visits with your siblings, request a hearing if you feel like your lawyer is not acting in your best interest, ask for people to be in the courtroom or ask for people to leave, keep your court records private (unless the law says otherwise), tell the judge how you feel about your family, lawyer, and social worker/probation officer, a lawyer, separate from your parents and the county, make sure you are safe and have the services and supports you need, tell the judge what you want to have happen, answer questions you have about court, foster care, and other laws, have a case plan within 60 days of being in foster care, have your case plan updated at least every 6 months, get a copy of it if you are age 10 and older, have your Tribe involved in case plan decisions, plans for visitation with your parents and siblings, transition to independent living plan (TILP), if you are 16 or older, a CFT meeting within 60 days of entering foster care, a CFT meeting at least every 90 days if you are in an STRTP or in a therapeutic foster home, a CFT meeting at least every 90 days if you are getting certain types of services, a CFT meeting when any changes are going to be made to your case plan, visit and contact your parents, siblings, and other family members in private (unless a judge says you cannot), contact people who are not in the foster care system (like friends, church members, teachers, and others), unless a judge says you cannot, your own bank account (unless your case plan says you cannot), work (unless the law says you are too young), earn, save, and manage your money (unless your case plan says you cannot), go to Independent Living Program (if you are old enough), beginning at age 14, get a credit report every year from 3 major reporting agencies and have help fixing any issues, use a phone to make and get confidential (private) calls, privately use email, text messages, or other electronic communication, foster youth advocates and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO). 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california foster care ombudsman