You can contact us about issues related tofoster youth rights, care, placement, and services. 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. Web2007 California Welfare and Institutions Code Chapter 2.5. WebCalifornia Foster Care Ombudsperson Wellness Behavioral Health Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program Child Care Resource & Referral Network Head Start Statewide Resources California Provider Helpline (For Foster & Kinship Parents!) How do I obtain records of complaints against businesses? Unfortunately, there is no one-stop shop for checking out companies, and our office cannot give you personal legal advice or comment on the legitimacy of a particular business. I need help with a child support case. Do you feel like they are not representing your best interest in Court? The Contact your countys Family Law Facilitator for help on how to request changes in any of these orders. By researching a company, you may be able to detect whether the business is legitimate and help ensure that you invest wisely your hard-earned money. They include the reunification issues, court Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Expression (SOGIE). Who should I contact? TrustLine. FosterClub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization: National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council. This program covers residents of the following states: CA. The Attorney General will review citizen complaints against a law enforcement agency or its employees for possible investigation when substantive allegations of unlawful conduct are made and all appropriate local resources for redress have been exhausted. Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? 1-833-99YOUTH (999-6884) Foster Care Ombudsman Advokids Victim If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. Is my divorce legal or recognized in California? We provide former foster youth in California with Dependency Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). Contact your social worker/probation officer and lawyer. The national network for youth in foster care. What free or low-cost legal assistance is available? First, try resolving the situation with your countys chain of command. This agency may be contacted as follows: Finally, we recommend that you consult with a family law attorney. Please consult with a translator for accuracy if you are relying on the translation or are using this site for official business. Is there a directory available? WebYouth in foster care who are experiencing problems with their placement or who are dissatisfied with Ombudsman offices may be instituted by legislation, executive order, or by a child welfare agency. According to a statement released Wednesday by the Department of Social Services, Lawrence Fluharty will begin in his post on Monday. If there is an immediatesafety issue, we may alsomake areport to the appropriate agencies such as the countys Child Protective Services agency or the Community Care Licensing Division.If this happens, we will discuss this with you. (Government Code sections 54960 and 54960.1.) An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. &" As a young person in foster care, you have: The right to be treated with respect. State law requires businesses to turn over unclaimed money and property to the state Controller's Office. See How We Make It Happen complaints are our first priority. WebFoster Care Ombudsman by California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serving Richmond, CA. I need to reach the Social Worker Hotline. Participation is encouraged! 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 Letters with the above information should be mailed to the CDSS at the physical address or e-mail address shown above. I need to contact a state agency. We suggest that you send a written request for assistance to your representatives in the U.S. Senate. WebCalifornia officials have named a longtime dependency attorney as the states next foster care ombudsperson, a watchdog for the nations largest child welfare system. Remember: You have the right to speak to our office confidentially, and you cannot be threatened, punishedor retaliated against for making complaints. 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. WebOmbudsman (Complaints) Mental health. WebRepresenting ALL That Impacts Our Senior Community Empowered Aging mobilizes care power for the elderly to remove barriers building a more equitable community for all. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? Your concerns should be addressed directly to the district attorney. If after investigation the grand jury concurs with your allegations, it will request the intervention of the district attorney. (Government Code section 54960.5. WebAn ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over complaints against judges. Are you a current or former foster youth or KinGap youth? Information should also be provided regarding the names, ages or dates of births, and addresses of all the children involved; the names of the parents or other caretakers; and the names and office location of county CWS agency staff already familiar with the case. Please note that each training discusses the same topic. Contact information is available at, In addition, please visit our Victims Services Unit website, at. You have rights to protect your SOGIE. Are you having issues with your managed care health plans? A written description of the procedure is available from all law enforcement agencies. Every law enforcement agency in California is required to establish a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints (Penal Code Section 832.5). WebCalifornia Foster Care Ombudsperson Helpline: 1-877-846-1602 Website: www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov Email: [email protected] FOSTER YOUTH BILL How do I obtain corporate records for business entities, such as corporations? I need to file a complaint against a state agency. Who should I notify? Neither our office nor any other State office routinely maintains copies of wills and trusts. The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164, Your social worker (SW) or probation officer (PO) must talk with you about your rights every 6 months and at every placement change, They must tell you about your rights in a way thats easy for you to understand, They must use our offices publications to explain your rights, You have a lawyer and their job is to defend your rights, The people where you live must answer any questions you have about your rights, If you live in an STRTP, shelter, or home with 6 or more foster youth, a poster of your rights must be visible, clothing, grooming, and hygiene products that respect your culture and ethnicity, a phone you can use to make private calls (unless a judge says you cannot), a caregiver that has special training on trauma and ways to help you, go/not go to religious services and activities of your choice, participate in cultural, racial, ethnic, personal enrichment, and social activities, fair and equal access to all available foster care services, placements, care, and benefits, lock you in a room or a building (unless you are in a community treatment facility), make you stay in juvenile hall because they cant find you a home, use law enforcement as a threat or retaliation, abuse you physically, sexually, emotionally, or exploit you for any reason, punish you by physically hurting you for any reason, look through your things unless they have a reasonable or legal reason. Are you concerned about a child being abused or neglected? You may contact them as follows: If you are interested in researching or tracking legislative proposals, we suggest that you contact your representatives in the Legislature and/or visit the Legislative Counsel's website at: I need to file a complaint against a federal government agency. Correspondence that does not contain this information cannot be acted upon. Report your concerns to your countys Child Protective Services hotline. Life skills. The California Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson's main goalis to advocate on behalf of foster children/youth regarding their care, placement, and services. Please visit the State of California website. Webpassage of Senate Bill (SB) 933 to establish a California Foster Care Ombudsperson Program. For more information on how the 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. Only a judge can take these away or stop you from communicating with certain people. First, file a complaint with the law enforcement agency and your countys district attorney. The rights of children and youths Court records are kept in the court clerk's office. Do you need a smartphone or tablet? I have a complaint about a child custody case. WebThe California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving foster youth in California by investigating and resolving complaints about foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. We suggest that you consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma. Do you need a, We provide former foster youth in California with Dependen, cy Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court, care have rights! They serve youth who have aged out of foster care, veterans, mentally & developmentally disabled persons, homeless persons, seniors, and addiction abusers. The most in-demand types of foster care are Sibling foster carers & Mother & Baby foster carers to keep families together. Most importantly, we need foster carers to support older children and teenagers, and with your help, create better futures. Where can I obtain information about the California Public Records Act? Do you have complaints about your family law case? Contact your social worker and/or your eligibility worker. My employer is violating California labor laws and/or owes me wages. We have jurisdiction over foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. to determine if it needs further investigation. 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. A toll-free hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffed with caring counselors trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for children and youth impacted by trauma. 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. This was in response to concerns regarding the need for an autonomous and Is my marriage legal or recognized in California? You have the right to: Preparing for Adulthood &Money Management. Riverside County, California Information about how to obtain your own state summary criminal history record is available at. Options for children receiving adoption support and former foster care youth. Adoption support and alumni have the ability to opt out of managed care for their physical health coverage with a phone call to the foster care unit at 1-800-562-3022 ext. 15480. Do you need help navigating the Medi-Cal system? FosterClub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization:EIN 93-1287234 CFC #76187, 620 S. Holladay Dr. Ste. I want to contact the Foster Care Ombudsmans Office. If you cannot afford a private attorney, you may consider contacting your local legal aid office. WebCall 209-468-1104 to complete a referral by phone. Who can help me? The state agency with the authority to adjudicate wage claims and enforce labor laws is the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). These rights also apply to, on probation and live in an out-of-home placement, like a, as well as children living in any licensed, The Foster Youth Bill of Rights has over 40 rights that were created to protect, The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is a neutral and independent office that helps, , social workers, probation officers, resource families and advocates, understand the rights of children and youth in foster care, The OFCO provides former foster youth in California with Dependen. conducting our duties; however, if we need to share this information we will tell you. Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? endstream endobj 61 0 obj <>>> endobj 62 0 obj <> endobj 63 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 64 0 obj <>stream If the estate has already been probated, contact the. Do you feel like they have engaged in judicial misconduct such as being rude, treating people improperly in Court, or delaying decision-making? If you suspect that you may have unclaimed property being held in another state, there are additional resources to assist you. If you have a complaint against the judge assigned to this case, contact the Commission on Judicial Performance. File a complaint with the State Bar of California. Wallet accordion brochures available in English & Espaol print versions only. Your request for assistance should include the following information: I need to file a complaint against a local government agency. Writing it down can help. Housing. California law gives discretionary authority to a locally elected prosecutor in filing criminal actions. Do you feel like a foster youths rights are being violated? 1-877-846-1602 [email protected] You may contact the Inspector General as follows: I need legal advice or representation. %PDF-1.6 % File a complaint with your countys Civil Rights Coordinator. Loney works tirelessly to protect the rights of youth and works to ensure accountability in treatment and service delivery. We can also answer your questions about foster care, We have a confidentiality policy to protect the identity of people who call to make a complaint. Get help for children in foster care, children with special medical conditions and seniors needing Call us at 877-846-1602 or file a complaint online. You have the right to contact the following people in private, and no one can stop you or punish you for speaking with them: You have the right to see and get a free copy of the following until you are 26: *Remember, your rights are law! You have the right to: You have rights at court too. WebContact an Ombudsman - Office of the Ombudsman Contact an Ombudsman 916-445-1773 or the Ombudsman Assistance Request Form Sara Smith, Chief Institutions covered: California Institution for Women (CIW) Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility (RJD) Central California Womens Facility (CCWF) Lassen N/A 19. 11 0 obj <> endobj The Foster Youth Bill of Rights applies to you if you are in foster care, if you are on probation and in out-of-home care, and/or if you live in any licensedor certifiedchildrensfacility or home in California. You have the right to: These rights can be changed if there is a safety concern. 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