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. Ask about a stock portfolio or income statement. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. The Challenge-The Children; Foster Care FAQ; Foster Youth. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? You may wish to share your concerns with your representatives in the California Legislature. Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Expression (SOGIE). This was in response to concerns regarding the need for an autonomous and Do you have complaints about child welfare practices and social worker conduct? 11 0 obj <> endobj Victim Witness A local government agency has failed to comply with my Public Records Act request. The Foster Youth Bill of Rights (FYBoR) was created due to the advocacy of youth in care, and its purpose is to protect children and youth in foster care, youth on probation and in out-of-home placement, and children living in any licensed or certified childrens facility or home in California. I was divorced outside of the United States. 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. In making that decision, the district attorney must evaluate the likelihood that a jury, after weighing all of the conflicting evidence, would find the defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt. While the Attorney General represents state departments in legal matters, he does not seek to impose his own policy judgments or control the administration of the business of his client agencies. You may contact this agency as follows: Office of Foster Care Ombudsman; California Department of Social Services; 744 P Street, M.S. Please contact your local school district administration to determine what local processes govern the resolution of complaints. 888-452-8609 MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov. See How We Make It Happen Email: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. I have a complaint about the attorney and/or judge involved in my case. Who should I contact? If you do not receive a certificate, please email fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov so our team can verify your attendance. 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. 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 Check if your complaint is in our jurisdiction. The California DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OMBUDSMAN FO R FOSTER CARE (Not DHCS) Information on the rights of children and youth who are 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. If your complaint is about something else, see Where to File Your Complaint. Who do I contact? You have the right to: You have mental health rights too. Who do I contact? If your complaint pertains to special education, please contact: If your complaint pertains to Federal or State civil rights violations, please contact: If your complaint pertains to categorical programs that are mandated by statute, such as No Child Left Behind or Limited English Proficiency, please contact: Other types of complaints against a school, district, principal, teacher, or school personnel may not be within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Education or any other state agency, and should be addressed at the local level. Lassen N/A 19. California registry of in-home providers who have passed a background screening. You may contact the Commission as follows: You may obtain court forms by visiting the Judicial Council of California / Administrative Office of the Courts website at: For information and assistance, please contact your county Small Claims Court Advisor at. hbbd```b``N AD2]gA$'D 4*u`qMH49 Av`r0) "Y]*";A$zU cy Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). You may wish to consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. Our team will answer as many as we can in the Q&A section. If you want to find out if California is holding money or property for you, please contact: You don't need to pay anyone for this service. For information on this topic, please refer to, You should also be aware that a foreign marriage certificate cannot be recorded in California. WebInvestigate and resolve complaints made on behalf of children in foster care and make appropriate referrals Provide foster children and youth with information on their rights Maintain a statewide toll free Foster Care Helpline, (877) 846-1602, which anyone may call from anywhere in California to express their concerns and complaints 8-13-25 Sacramento, CA 95814 1-(877) 846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. I need to reach the Social Worker Hotline. We appreciate the time and effort it has taken to contact our office. If you feel safe, try to resolve it with the people who were involved. 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. The OFCO is a neutral and independent office that helps solve problems and complaints about the care, placement, and services of children and youth in foster care., 1-877-846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. The California Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson's main goalis to advocate on behalf of foster children/youth regarding their care, placement, and services. The State Bar of California takes complaints against attorney, investigates those complaints and prosecutes attorneys against whom allegations of unethical conduct appear to be justified. I lost a civil lawsuit, and I feel the outcome was unjust. I am the victim of discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store. 510-658-7353 Main. If a youth calls to file a complaint, we will process it within. Do you need help accessing appropriate mental health services? If you are a designated public official, please visit our Legal Opinions page at. 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. You may contact the Inspector General as follows: I need legal advice or representation. I wish to report a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). [Spanish Form], State of California Department of Justice. 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 Apply below! Click on the image below to see an example of the confirmation page. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. You may contact the Bar as follows: If you have a complaint against a mediator or evaluator with Family Court Services, talk to the Director of. 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. Participants are encouraged to type questions in the chat. birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees)? The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. I need help with a child support case. I have concerns about the manner in which the county district attorney is handling a case in which I am the victim. I have a complaint about a county child welfare services agency. %%EOF h{ioG_m4. Who can help me with legal research? WebOmbudsman (Complaints) Mental health. WebCurrently, California, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Texas and Utah are a few states taking the lead on implementing a Foster Youth Ombudsman. For additional information, please see our. Report your concerns to your countys Child Protective Services hotline. WebState of California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson Phone: 877-846-1602 Email: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov Mail: 744 P St., MS 8-13-25 Sacramento, CA 95814 or California Department of Social Services State Hearings Division Phone: 800-743-8525 or 855-795-0634 Mail: P.O. Make sure to click Add to calendar so that the Zoom link will be added to your online calendar. How do I request an Attorney General's opinion? 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. Los Angeles LA County Ombudsperson for DCFS Youth placed in STRTPs Phone: 1-888-445-1234 If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. endstream endobj startxref WebThe mission of the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) is to advocate on behalf of foster children and youth regarding their care, placement, These decisions are made through Family Law Court. The agency with authority to investigate violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the U.S. Department of Justice. Head Start. 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). If you would like your adoption records, such as non-identifying background Information about your adoption and about your birth parents, send a request to CDSS or the adoption agency. 1, Seaside, OR 97138. If after investigation the grand jury concurs with your allegations, it will request the intervention of the district attorney. Who do I contact? You have the right to: You have sexual health rights too. The lawallows us to releasecertaininformationto certain peoplein the process ofconducting our duties; however, if we need to share this information we will tell you.. WebFoster Care Ombudsman Pamela M. Woodman-Kaehler Deputy Director Elizabeth M. Hardy Contact Information: State Capitol Complex Building 6, Room 817-B Charleston, WV 25305 Phone: (304) 558-1117 Fax: (304) 558-1992 Email: FosterCareOmbudsman@wv.gov ), For additional information, please see our guide. Life skills. You should first direct your complaint to the local law enforcement agency. We suggest that you contact the attorney who prepared the will or trust. 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. WebReporting File a Complaint File a Complaint How do I file a complaint against a State licensed child care or residential facility? Services. Access any record of a state or local agency that is necessary to If you want to order a printed publication, you can call us at 877-846-1602 or send an online request. Life skills. Overall, the ombudsmans office has seen an increase in complaints and, most notably, Covid-19 related complaints. You have the right to: You have school rights. If you need to establish a record of the marriage in California, you can file a petition in Superior Court to establish a. Contact the countys Resource Family Approval Point of Contact. Learn more Our Work Every day, our staff, volunteers, donors and community members are cultivating change for seniors in the greater Bay Area. Health care. The law. The Attorney General has no jurisdiction in matters already before the court or in matters where the courts have already rendered a decision. Please visit the State of California website. Does your lawyer not respond to your contact attempts or return your calls or emails? State law requires businesses to turn over unclaimed money and property to the state Controller's Office. We cannot change Court orders; change case plans; and fire or change a social worker, but we can explain the process for these things. 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. If you have any questions or need any further information, please consult with your County Clerk or County Recorder's Office and/or a private family law attorney. YL[k90=azpe%MnJF ep0c&cr g:*U30BD 9Z Do you have questions about Medi-Cal in general? Try to remember the event. 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. Are you a first time iFoster phone user? If you have information about a crime, please file a report with the police or sheriff's department in the area where the crime occurred. Statewide. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 7-10 business days after the training. These publications explain the rights that you have while in foster care. We will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you contact our office. 60 0 obj <> endobj Who can help me? The court may award court costs and reasonable attorney fees when it determines that violations of the Brown Act have occurred. Who should I contact? Law Enforcement Complaint Form. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911. This training will be an interactive experience that teaches participants about the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS). The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. Who should I contact? &" An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. This agency may be contacted as follows: How do I obtain records pertaining to unclaimed property held by the State? In addition, we recommend that you consult with a private attorney. Concerns about child custody and visitation orders issued by the Family Court must be directed to the, If you suspect that a child's health or safety is jeopardized due to abuse or neglect by a parent or other caretaker who has custody of the child, please contact the police or sheriff's department and the. The Ombudsman Program utilizes trained and certified volunteers to respond to complaints and monitor long-term care facilities through unannounced visits. 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. 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). Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." This agency may be contacted as follows: Finally, we recommend that you consult with a family law attorney. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Are you a current or former foster youth or KinGap youth? You have the right to: These rights can be changed if there is a safety concern. The Commission on Judicial Performance is the independent state agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. Please note that each training discusses the same topic. I am the victim of a crime. 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. 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