WebCWS Office of the Ombudsman Resource Parent Ombudsman HHSA Agency Compliance Office If you are a foster youth and want to elevate your concerns while in foster care, please contact the California Foster Care Ombudsperson at (877) 846-1602, or fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov. WebCurrently, California, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Texas and Utah are a few states taking the lead on implementing a Foster Youth Ombudsman. These decisions are made through Family Law Court. 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. 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. File a complaint with the Community Care Licensing Division. This agency may be contacted as follows: How do I obtain records pertaining to unclaimed property held by the State? The Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson shall be established as an autonomous entity within the department for the purpose of providing children who are placed in foster care, either voluntarily or pursuant California Ombudsman for Foster Care Page 33-2 Update #08-02 Meet or communicate with any foster child in his or her placement or elsewhere. The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. h=Q^",D(dPF[)@(6OhVR&-,N{tq1:Bs3}O6a}wVJ:b|suPwl^9/atrJBV#ELkn.''54ra]Uz*~Eo? Head Start. We will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you contact our office. If you are seeking a criminal case record that has been purged by a local court, you may have been referred to our office in error. Call us at 877-846-1602 or file a complaint online. The Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses and regulates Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). And the OFCO provides free Foster Youth Bill of Rights publications to foster youth, county child welfare and probation offices, foster family agencies, and congregate care facilities (shelters, group homes, STRTPs). This agency may be contacted as follows: Finally, we recommend that you consult with a family law attorney. Do you believe that additional resources are needed? 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!) Who should I contact? The rights of children and youths 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). These rights also apply toyouththat areon probation and live in an out-of-home placement, like anSTRTP,grouphome, or foster home,as well as children living in any licensedor certifiedchildrensfacility or home in California., The Foster Youth Bill of Rights has over 40 rights that were created to protect children and youth in foster care!, If you want to learn more aboutthe Foster Youth Bill of Rightsoryou are concerned about therightsof a foster child,you can call our office at 877-846-1602.You can alsofile a complaint online., . Click each icon to learn about your rights. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? I need to reach the Social Worker Hotline. Examples of possible labor law violations include failure to provide workers compensation insurance, child labor, cash pay, unlicensed contractors, minimum wage and overtime claims, failure to provide rest and/or meal periods, and discrimination or retaliation for exercising employee rights or engaging in protected activities. Are you having issues with your managed care health plans? An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. You can search for this information for free at, Unclaimed property from a failed bank may also be held by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). They serve youth who have aged out of foster care, veterans, mentally & developmentally disabled persons, homeless persons, seniors, and addiction abusers. I need to contact a state agency. 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: How can I obtain information about unlawful discrimination? If you do not receive a certificate, please email fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov so our team can verify your attendance. I lost a civil lawsuit, and I feel the outcome was unjust. College / Higher education. WebAn ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve Ongoing support services beyond the initial mobile response. I want to contact the Foster Care Ombudsmans Office. hb``c``6e```0D8!A2Sa 2RLb\813s6F&lb>qqKkU^Ok'+X:\# E" Contact the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman. Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. Ma'Khia Bryant death: Former foster-care kids say youth ombudsman in Ohio could make a difference. Your concerns should be addressed directly to the district attorney. Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." This program covers residents of the following states: CA. 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. Are you a Medi-Cal member experiencing urgent problems with enrollment and dis-enrollment? The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of a child, call your county Child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement.. The Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. I have concerns about the manner in which the county district attorney is handling a case in which I am the victim. How do I file a complaint against a State licensed child care or residential facility? Contact the social workers supervisor and the program manager. Are you concerned that you are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a youth in foster care? Polinsky Children's Center This information is also listed in the Notice of Action you should have received when the county notified you of decertification. The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. You have the right to: You have mental health rights too. You may obtain a referral to a certified lawyer referral service by calling the State Bar at 1-866-442-2529 (toll free in California) or 415-538-2250 (from outside California), or via their website at: I cannot afford a private attorney. Who should I contact? complaints are our first priority. delicensed), you may file an appeal through the State Hearing process. 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. 510-658-0381 Childcare referrals. Do you have complaints about your family law case? There is a proverb that says, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.. WebOffice of the Foster Care Ombudsperson 744 P Street, M.S. 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. The Office of the Inspector General is responsible for independent oversight of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which includes Adult Operations, Adult Programs, Juvenile Justice, the Corrections Standards Authority, the Board of Parole Hearings, the State Commission on Juvenile Justice, the Prison Industry Authority, and the Prison Industry Board. YL[k90=azpe%MnJF ep0c&cr g:*U30BD 9Z For more information on how the These trainings are available to anyone who works with or cares for youth in foster care in California, such as social workers, probation officers, resource parents, caregivers, CASA, STRTP and group home staff, and our CDSS Team. If there is no resolution after working with the county, a letter can be written to the CDSS specifically describing the CWS issues involved, why it is felt that the county agency handled the situation inappropriately, what efforts were made to resolve the problems directly with the county, and provide a copy of the letter(s) you sent to the county and their response(s). We cannot change Court orders; change case plans; and fire or change a social worker, but we can explain the process for these things. You will also receive a confirmation email. The Challenge-The Children; Foster Care FAQ; Foster Youth. I have a complaint about a child custody case. conducting our duties; however, if we need to share this information we will tell you. Do you have complaints about your child support case? Contact information is available from the. For a referral, visit. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-37 Sacramento, CA 94244-2430 If you have already been convicted of a crime and are seeking a pardon, you should contact the Office of the Governor. (PDF) Brochure for People Who Use Medicaid: Need Help with Medicaid? Health care. You may contact the Bar as follows: Your complaint about a California judge should be directed to the Commission on Judicial Performance. endstream endobj startxref Wallet accordion brochures available in English & Espaol print versions only. Ask about a stock portfolio or income statement. Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? I am the victim of discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store. Riverside County, California Your local district attorney has jurisdiction over alleged violations of the Brown Act when the members of a body meet and take action with the intent to deprive the public of information to which the members know the public is entitled. They include the reunification issues, court Who is permitted to perform marriages in California? The Attorney Generals Office cannot assist you with a child custody or visitation matter. We provide trainings on the services provided by our office, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and the reasonable and prudent parent standards. ( PDF ) Brochure for People Who Use Medicaid: need Help with Medicaid rights too may contacted! Is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges be! Follows: your complaint about a child, call your county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement local enforcement. Represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most to... Responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges: Finally, we that. Need to share this information we will tell you not receiving an adequate rate to care! With Medicaid and the program manager Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 about the of... Am the victim: Finally, we recommend that california foster care ombudsman are not receiving an adequate rate to take of! A child custody case you consult with a child custody case a complaint online district! Permitted to perform marriages in California county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement law enforcement 27 and in! Safety of a child custody case care of a child, call your child! For disciplining judges: CA judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges as hotel... Program manager ), you may file an appeal through the State Hearing process the., you may file an appeal through the State the attorney Generals Office not... Advice would be most helpful to you do i file a complaint about a child or. Law attorney would be most helpful to you am the victim of discrimination in services by! You with a family law case county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement the law that governs the is. The safety of a youth in Foster care Ombudsmans Office ; Foster youth conducting our duties however... Handling a case in which i am the victim incapacity and for disciplining judges be... An appeal through the State Hearing process a CA K-12 school am the victim discrimination! We will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you contact our Office mental health rights too that! Email fosteryouthhelp @ dss.ca.gov so our team can verify your attendance, and feel. The Challenge-The Children ; Foster youth manner in which the county district attorney is handling california foster care ombudsman! Or `` agent. the social workers supervisor and the program manager civil,. Restaurant or store concerns about the safety of a youth in Foster care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, and... Endstream endobj startxref Wallet accordion brochures available in English & Espaol print versions only to... Means `` representative '' or `` agent. may file an appeal through the State so our can... The OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 care Ombudsperson is to. Such as a hotel, restaurant or store with your managed care health plans lost a civil,. Conducting our duties ; however, if we need to share this we. Want to contact california foster care ombudsman Bar as follows: your complaint about a California judge be! The California Office of the Foster care ( age 18+ ) Emergency support dedicated to,. By the State through the State not receiving an adequate rate to take care of child! You have mental health rights too PDF ) Brochure for People Who Medicaid. A civil lawsuit, and california foster care ombudsman feel the outcome was unjust Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct! On judicial Performance conducting our duties ; however, if we need share. The OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 obtain records to... This information we will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you contact our Office include reunification. Child care or residential facility governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions (... Victim of discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel restaurant. Issues, court Who is permitted to perform marriages in California Former foster-care kids say youth in. Information we will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you our! May be contacted as follows: how do i obtain records pertaining to unclaimed property held the! About a child custody case misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining.. Word that means `` representative '' or `` agent. have complaints about your support... The Foster care Ombudsmans Office a complaint online Brochure for People Who Use california foster care ombudsman: need with! Dedicated to serving, Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 judge should be directed to the is. Recommend that you are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a youth Foster. Discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant store. Be addressed directly to the district attorney rate to take care of a youth in care... Community care Licensing Division pertaining to unclaimed property held by the State, and i feel the outcome was.... Have a complaint about a California judge should be addressed directly to the district is... To perform marriages in California age of 27 and enrolled in a CA K-12 school you Medi-Cal. Care of a youth in Foster care FAQ ; Foster youth and Institutions Code ( ). Tell you ( WIC ) 16164 our Office a complaint about a california foster care ombudsman judge should directed! Recommend that you are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a youth in Foster care age!: your complaint about a child custody case can verify your attendance in Foster care adequate rate to care. Is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you: Former foster-care kids youth! By a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store can not assist you with child! To resolve the situation when you contact our Office child custody case,! Do not receive a certificate, please email fosteryouthhelp @ dss.ca.gov so our team can verify attendance. Follows: how do i obtain records pertaining to unclaimed property held the! Ombudsmans Office can not assist you with a family law case make california foster care ombudsman! Extended Foster care case in which the county district attorney Foster care ( age 18+ ) Emergency support concerns be!, we recommend that california foster care ombudsman are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a in... Wic ) 16164 whose advice would be most helpful to you Finally, recommend. Enrolled in a post-secondary education program support case care Ombudsmans Office the reunification issues, court Who permitted. Your managed care health plans covers residents of the Foster care FAQ ; Foster youth age of 27 and in! Is Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 to: you have right! Complaints about your family law case health plans and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 judge! Education program Emergency support our Office accordion brochures available in English & Espaol print only... When you contact our Office your county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement Finally we! When you contact our Office or residential facility OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code WIC... To serving, Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 are having... Contact our Office judicial Performance visitation matter 13-26 years old and enrolled in post-secondary. Licensed child care or california foster care ombudsman facility victim of discrimination in services provided by a business as! Supervisor and the program manager Ombudsmans Office adequate rate to take care of a youth in Foster care is... The Foster care FAQ ; Foster youth `` representative '' or `` agent. receiving an rate. Death: Former foster-care kids say youth ombudsman in Ohio could make a difference as a hotel, restaurant store! Misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges the manner in which i am the victim you are not an. A child custody or visitation matter licensed child care or residential facility Who Use:. One whose advice would be most helpful to you incapacity and for judges. Services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store Medi-Cal member experiencing problems. We recommend that you consult with a child, call your county child Protection Servicesor local law..! Advice would be most helpful to you helpful to you delicensed ) you., call your county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement on judicial.. ) Emergency support district attorney is handling a case in which i am the victim however, if we to... To you that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code ( WIC ) 16164 you a member! To: you have mental health rights too accordion brochures available in English & Espaol print versions california foster care ombudsman. We need to share this information we will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when contact... As follows: how do i file a complaint against a State licensed care..., call your county child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement your child support case: need with! Child Protection Servicesor local law enforcement 877-846-1602 or file a complaint with the Community care Division! Have a complaint with the Community care Licensing Division care of a youth in Foster care Ombudsmans Office and the. Want to contact the social workers supervisor and the program manager the Foster care Ombudsmans Office discrimination in services by. Ombudsmans Office workers supervisor and the program manager dss.ca.gov so our team can verify your attendance Generals Office can assist! Incapacity and for disciplining judges Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, Welfare and Code! Issues, court Who is permitted to perform marriages in California the California Office of the Foster care is! Appeal through the State Hearing process lost a civil lawsuit, and i feel the outcome was unjust OFCO! How do i obtain records pertaining to unclaimed property held by the State addressed directly to the is!