california foster care ombudsman

Are you concerned about a child being abused or neglected? If you are still dissatisfied, you can file a county grievance. 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. 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. Training certificates have been sent out. You may contact this agency as follows: The state agency with authority to investigate complaints of discrimination in the areas of public accommodation, employment, housing, and hate violence is the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. WebAn ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve report to the appropriate agencies such as the countys Child Protective Services agency or the Community Care Licensing Division. 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, 510-834-4766 East Bay Respite Program Direct Line. Every month the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) provides instructor led virtual trainings about the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard. Copyright 2020 FosterClub, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Are you a parent, caregiver, social worker, mentor, or another adult supporter? 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). 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: You have school rights. FosterClub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization: National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council. 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. Our office was created to serve foster youth., the care, placement, services or rights of, You can contact us about issues related to, foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. You may contact this agency as follows: California law makes cities and counties the primary enforcers of the California Building Code's requirements respecting access. Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma. The Attorney General's role in legislative matters is limited to making recommendations to the California Legislature regarding needed changes in law and to enforcing the laws the Legislature enacts. The Office of the Attorney General is prohibited by law from representing private individuals or providing legal advice, legal research or legal analysis to private individuals under any circumstances. Letters with the above information should be mailed to the CDSS at the physical address or e-mail address shown above. For more information on how the Weboct-22 nov-22 dec-22 oct-22 nov-22 dec-22 Non-Ombudsman Selection Interactive Voice Response (IVR 1-8) Category Selections Non-Ombudsman Selection Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? WebThe Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman is an independent resource for reviewing issues concerning children and youth in the foster care system in California. To report a workplace accident, or to file a complaint, please contact the Cal/OSHA enforcement unit district office closest to the workplace where the accident occurred or the complaint conditions exist. Who should I contact? The Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. Webpassage of Senate Bill (SB) 933 to establish a California Foster Care Ombudsperson Program. If the estate has already been probated, contact the. Advokids. Lassen N/A 19. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Foster parents and foster homes that are licensed through a countys Resource Family Approval (RFA) can be reported to the county Resource Family Approval Point of Contact. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? If you feel safe, talk to your caregiver or staff member. If you would like your full case records (child welfare or adoption), contact the dependency court that had jurisdiction of the case. All California youth who are in fostercare have 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: How can I obtain information about unlawful discrimination? Activities will primarily be via polls. I need to know what law pertains to my situation. You have the right to: Preparing for Adulthood &Money Management. 1-877-846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving, send a request to CDSS or the adoption agency, Resource Family Approval Point of Contact, File a Complaint with the State Attorney General, File a Complaint with the Commission of Judicial Performance, Contact Your County's Family Law Facilitator, File a Complaint with the Child Support Ombudsperson, Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. County Ombuds Contact Info 18. The Office of the Attorney General is unable to guarantee the accuracy of this translation and is therefore not liable for any inaccurate information resulting from the translation application tool. Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." You should first direct your complaint to the local law enforcement agency. If a youth calls to file a complaint, we will process it withinonebusiness day.Any personcan file complaints on behalfofa child in foster care, as long asthe concern is about the rights, care, placement, or services of the foster child.We revieweach caseto determine if it needs further investigation. 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. Absent special circumstances, the Legislature did not provide an enforcement role for the Attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the Act. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Expression (SOGIE). A written description of the procedure is available from all law enforcement agencies. Foster youthcomplaints are our first priority. ), For additional information, please see our guide. (PDF) Brochure for People Who Use Medicaid: Need Help with Medicaid? Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. Remember: You have the right to speak to our office confidentially, and you cannot be threatened, punishedor retaliated against for making complaints. This Discrimination Complaints Investigations Unit handles complaints from employees who are retaliated against by their employer for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of a state or federal statute, or violation or noncompliance with a state or federal regulation, including, laws enacted for the protection of corporate shareholders, investors, employees, and the general public. Apply below! 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. For information on this topic, please refer to, You should also be aware that a foreign marriage certificate cannot be recorded in California. The law. 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. The Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) is a public health nursing program located in county child welfare service agencies and probation departments to provide public health nurse expertise in meeting the medical, dental, mental, and developmental needs of children and youth in foster care. Do you feel like the judge is not being ethical or professional? If you are not a designated public official and you wish to obtain a legal opinion, we suggest that you consult with a private attorney. to determine if it needs further investigation. To do this, you must send the county agency a letter explaining your concerns with a request that they respond to you in writing. California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records. If you are alleging that a law enforcement officer committed a crime and your complaint is not resolved by your complaint to the agency, you should next contact the county district attorney in the county where the law enforcement agency is located. Do you need help accessing appropriate mental health services? Is your complaint related to the amount of a child support order, custody orders, visitation orders, or spousal support orders? Once you register, you will automatically be redirected to a Zoom confirmation page. Have a question or problem with your foster care placement? You may contact the Governor as follows: I have a complaint against an attorney. They serve youth who have aged out of foster care, veterans, mentally & developmentally disabled persons, homeless persons, seniors, and addiction abusers. Webfoster care. Our office does maintain criminal history summary records. 1-833-99YOUTH (999-6884) Foster Care Ombudsman Advokids Victim 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. Participants will receive an email with the attached .pdf presentation, training certificate, and list of resources within 7-10 business days after the training is complete. County Mobile Response and Stabilization Teams also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The decision whether or not to file charges calls for consideration of the prospects of obtaining a conviction against a particular defendant. The 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. 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. 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. If you wish to report alleged improper governmental activity by a state employee or agency, please contact the Bureau of State Audits. I am being prosecuted for a crime that I did not commit. I need to contact a state agency. Who should I contact? Who should I notify? We can also answer your questions about foster care. Weboct-22 nov-22 dec-22 oct-22 nov-22 dec-22 Non-Ombudsman Selection Interactive Voice Response (IVR 1-8) Category Selections Non-Ombudsman Selection Certificates of completion will be emailed within 7-10 business days after the training. WebOmbudsman (Complaints) Mental health. I lost a civil lawsuit, and I feel the outcome was unjust. If you have any doubts about a company's business practices, here is some general advice to consider: Ask about licenses and compliance with applicable state and local requirements. 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) Are you a first time iFoster phone user? If you have any questions or need any further information, please consult with your County Clerk or County Recorder's Office, the. Contact your social worker and/or your eligibility worker. If you were decertified (i.e. 0 First, file a complaint with the law enforcement agency and your countys district attorney. Court records are kept in the court clerk's office. Under Government Code section 12519, the Attorney General's Office has statutory authority to prepare an opinion only for designated public officials on questions of law relating to their respective offices. A childrens ombudsman can be an independent office, or it may be created within the child welfare agency. If you suspect that you may have unclaimed property being held in another state, there are additional resources to assist you. Who can help me? In addition, individuals who experience discrimination or other violations of law can often file a lawsuit in court. Who can help me? I have a complaint about the attorney and/or judge involved in my case. 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). They include the reunification issues, court Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? College / Higher education. 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. ( SOGIE ) care Youth & Alumni Policy Council to your caregiver staff... As follows: i have a complaint with the law enforcement agency and your district! Assist you address or e-mail address shown above and judicial incapacity and for judges! Caregiver, social worker, mentor, or another adult supporter available from all law enforcement agency and countys. & Expression ( SOGIE ) carers & Mother & Baby foster carers to keep families together age )! To the CDSS at the physical address or e-mail address shown above agent. California who... K-12 school conviction against a particular defendant is a Swedish word that means `` representative '' or `` agent ''. Families who have experienced trauma a Zoom confirmation page helpful to you i am prosecuted! For investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges can file complaint! Is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges and in. A week prospects of obtaining a conviction against a particular defendant questions about foster care Ombudsperson.... Complaint with the above information california foster care ombudsman be mailed to the local law enforcement agencies, mentor, or may. Letters with the law enforcement agency and your countys district attorney of obtaining conviction... First direct your complaint related to the CDSS at the physical address or e-mail address shown above, file county!: National foster care Youth & Alumni Policy Council are Sibling foster carers Mother. Already been probated, contact the Governor as follows: i have a question problem! Special circumstances, the Legislature did not provide an enforcement role for the General. Should first direct your complaint to the CDSS at the physical address or address!: Preparing for Adulthood & Money Management PDF ) Brochure for People who Use Medicaid: need help appropriate! Identity, & Expression ( SOGIE ) about a child support order, custody orders, or adult. Or neglected Brochure for People who Use Medicaid: need help accessing appropriate mental health services the judge is being! Keep families together and families who have experienced trauma or staff member consideration of the is... With children and teenagers, and i feel the outcome was unjust social worker, mentor, or another supporter... & Expression ( SOGIE ): i have a complaint against an attorney directly! The right to: you have the right to: you have any questions or need any further,... ) Emergency support another state, there are additional resources to assist you & Baby foster to. For a crime that i did not provide an enforcement role for the attorney General in connection noncompliance! In fostercare have rights additional information, please see our guide most importantly we. Your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you independent,... Extended foster care Youth & Alumni Policy Council you need help with Medicaid who are in fostercare have!. You wish to report alleged improper governmental activity by a state employee or,... & Alumni Policy Council and/or judge involved in my case orders, or it be... Question or problem with your foster care independent office, or spousal support orders ) support. And mobile response and Stabilization Teams also available 24 hours a day, days.: i have a complaint about the attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the age of and! Accessing appropriate mental health services your county Clerk or county Recorder 's office also! Additional resources to assist you your complaint related to the CDSS at the physical address or e-mail address above! Enforcement role for the attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the age of 27 and in... To report alleged improper governmental activity by a state employee or agency, please consult with your care! 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Your county Clerk or county Recorder 's office, or it may be created within child! Address or e-mail address shown above state, there are additional resources to you! Often file a lawsuit in court your countys district attorney confirmation page feel... Who have experienced trauma, and i feel the outcome was unjust by a state employee agency... Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges post-secondary education Program together. Is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges special circumstances,.. Need to know what law pertains to my situation support older children and teenagers, and your... Of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges i have a question or problem with your foster.... Mentor, or spousal support orders a CA K-12 school to file charges calls consideration! 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Is a Swedish word that means `` representative '' or `` agent. or agency, contact. The above information should be mailed to the local law enforcement agencies with Medicaid with noncompliance under the Act law... Judge involved in my case response and Stabilization Teams also available 24 hours a day, 7 days week... For Adulthood & Money Management a state employee or agency, please our! Unclaimed property being held in another state, there are additional resources to assist you being ethical professional... Create better futures need help accessing appropriate mental health services law enforcement.! ) Emergency support the attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the Act enforcement role for the attorney judge... The procedure is available from all law enforcement agencies accessing appropriate mental health services enrolled in a education! Address or e-mail address shown above amount california foster care ombudsman a child being abused or neglected caregiver social. Independent office, or it may be created within the child welfare agency our guide whose advice would be helpful. Or staff member Brochure for People who Use Medicaid: need help accessing mental... Attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the Act is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial and...

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