", We understand it is not uncommon for members of the public to differ with the district attorney on the question of whether the filing of criminal charges is warranted. Who can help me? If you need to establish a record of the marriage in California, you can file a petition in Superior Court to establish a. However, you may wish to consult with a private attorney to evaluate your options under the judicial remedies discussed above. Who can help me? 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. Ombudsman or Child Advocates were established within states and/or Child Welfare to investigate complaints, concerns, or violations of children right's while in foster care. Where do I report concerns about an adoption facilitator? You have 180 days from the date of the event to make a complaint. Learn more Our Work Every day, our staff, volunteers, donors and community members are cultivating change for seniors in the greater Bay Area. If you have information that an employer is committing tax evasion, please contact the appropriate state and/or federal tax enforcement agencies. 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. I want the crime to be investigated and for the perpetrator of the crime be prosecuted. 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!) (Government Code section 54959.) If you suspect that you may have unclaimed property being held in another state, there are additional resources to assist you. 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. FosterClub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization:EIN 93-1287234 CFC #76187, 620 S. Holladay Dr. Ste. Are you a parent, caregiver, social worker, mentor, or another adult supporter? 510-834-2443 Main Phone. Do you feel like your rights are being violated? Who can help me? 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. 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. 8-13-25; Sacramento, What free or low-cost legal assistance is available? Some complaints may be referred to other places for resolution., If we choose to investigate your complaint, we will notify of our decision to investigate, we will offer periodic updates, and we will notify you of the closure of the complaint., All complaints made to the office may include a, We cannot investigate complaints about judges, We cannot investigate issues related to child custody, child support, and family court., *The OFCO is not an emergency intervention service. Tablets for Foster Youth and KinGap Youth, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. 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. The unclaimed property typically stems from bank accounts, dividends, uncashed checks, matured or terminated insurance policies or certificates of deposit. How do I obtain a copy of a will or trust? For complaints against city employees or agencies, address your complaint to the head of the city agency, the city attorney's office, the mayor's office, and your representative on the city council. Los Angeles LA County Ombudsperson for DCFS Youth placed in STRTPs Phone: 1-888-445-1234 Do you need a smartphone or tablet? WebOffice of the Foster Care Ombudsperson 744 P Street, M.S. f|} gd\),$.Q F o! Who do I contact? pleadings, exhibits, transcripts)? I am being prosecuted for a crime that I did not commit. 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. The decision whether or not to file charges calls for consideration of the prospects of obtaining a conviction against a particular defendant. Health care. If you feel safe, try to resolve it on your own. The Attorney General's Office is unable to assist you, because we are required by law to provide legal representation to state agencies in disputes rising out of their actions. As a young person in foster care, you have: The right to be treated with respect. In recognition of individual rights of privacy and the need of government agencies to maintain the confidentiality of certain records, the Act provides several exemptions that permit government agencies to withhold specified information involving, for example, personnel, investigations, and litigation. Absent special circumstances, the Legislature did not provide an enforcement role for the Attorney General in connection with noncompliance under the Act. How do I get copies of vital records (e.g. Head Start. Are you concerned that you are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a youth in foster care? Who can help me? Our office does not handle constituent complaints against federal government agencies. Statewide. Ombudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." Our team will answer as many as we can in the Q&A section. cy Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). 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. Does your complaint relate to customer service, the timeliness of service, payment and billing problems, and decisions to close your case? Do you feel like the judge is not being ethical or professional? 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. Four days after MaKhias April 30 funeral, former foster youth Deanna Jones testified in the Ohio statehouse that help from a foster care expert could have saved the girls life. To register for a training, locate your preferred training date below and click the Register Here link. The purpose of the training is to inform participants about the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS). 0
Who do I contact? WebThe Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) was created by statute in 1998 as an autonomous entity within CDSS for the purpose of protecting the interests of children in foster care by providing them a means to make complaints and resolve issues related to their care, placement, services, and rights. endstream
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We appreciate the time and effort it has taken to contact our office. TrustLine. For additional information, please see our. Box 944243, Mail Station 9-17-37 Sacramento, CA 94244-2430 If the estate has already been probated, contact the. The office is empowered to investigate complaints about state and local agencies regarding foster care. The California Secretary of State provides authentication (apostille or certification) of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States. 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. 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. If your complaint is about criminal misconduct and the local agencies dont take action, you may file a Citizen Complaint with the State Attorney Generals 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. Foster parents receive a 1-833-99YOUTH (999-6884) Foster Care Ombudsman. 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. The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. ) endstream
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Training certificates have been sent out. Who should I notify? Find out about the different programs and services offered through DHCS for individuals and stakeholders. 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, Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? 11 0 obj
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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.. If you are still dissatisfied, you can file a county grievance. All California youth who are in fostercare have rights! 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. 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. The Attorney General has no jurisdiction in matters already before the court or in matters where the courts have already rendered a decision. You may wish to consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. to determine if it needs further investigation. WebFoster Care 33. Every law enforcement agency in California is required to establish a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints (Penal Code Section 832.5). %%EOF
Are you a current or former foster youth or KinGap youth? If you have any questions please contact: Bilingual Services Program at (916) 210-7580. 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. In 2018, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission recommended creating an ombudsmans office to help fix problems in the states foster care system. The Ombudsman Program utilizes trained and certified volunteers to respond to complaints and monitor long-term care facilities through unannounced visits. In addition, we are prohibited by law from representing private individuals or providing legal advice, legal research or legal analysis to private individuals under any circumstances. I don't like the way a county employee treated me. Email: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. I need to know what law pertains to my situation. You have the right to: Preparing for Adulthood &Money Management. 8-13-25 Sacramento, CA 95814 1-(877) 846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS) was created to empower caregivers to make parenting decisions that support youth health, safety, and best interest while encouraging their positive developmental growth. If you do not receive a certificate, please email fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov so our team can verify your attendance. Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? If you want to order a printed publication, you can call us at 877-846-1602 or send an online request. Copyright 2020 FosterClub, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Family Support Service. 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. 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. 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. Those officials include constitutional officers, state legislators, state agencies, district attorneys, prosecuting city attorneys, county counsels, county sheriffs and judges. We suggest that you consult with your attorney. 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. Apply below! I need information about resources available to victims. Who should I contact? Are you a youth in foster care, a youth who is on probation and in out-of-home care, or a non-minor dependent? WebFoster Care Ombudsman: Tracy Ward (925) 334-0698, cfsombudsman@ehsd.cccounty.us Kinship Support & Education Services Lilliput Family Services (East) 925-384-1650 Uplift Family Services (Central) 925-602-1750 Youth Services Bureau (West) 510-215-4671 Sweet Beginnings Family Resource Center File a complaint with the State Bar of California. However, that decision rests with the locally elected official responsible for such a decision, the district attorney. WebAn ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve You may contact the Bar as follows: I have a complaint against a judge. The State Bar has jurisdiction over the licensing, regulation, and discipline of lawyers. To do this, you must send the county agency a letter explaining your concerns with a request that they respond to you in writing. Contact your social worker and/or your eligibility worker. To contact the FDIC, go to. Are you not getting the help and support you need? conducting our duties; however, if we need to share this information we will tell you. WebThe California Foster Youth Bill of Rights was written by the California Youth Connection, a statewide organization of youth in the foster care system. If this is your first time applying for an iFoster phone, click the link below to apply! I am the victim of discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store. If you feel safe, try to resolve it with the people who were involved. Telephone Number: (833) 939-3877Website: Cal-FURS.orgE-Mail: info@cal-furs.org. They are separate from the State of California government and areempowered to investigate and informally resolve complaints impacting foster youth, increase awareness about foster youth rights, and make recommendations to help support systemic change. 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. Housing. 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