Telephone Number: (833) 939-3877Website: Cal-FURS.orgE-Mail: info@cal-furs.org. Do you have concerns about their care, placement, or services? All California youth who are in fostercare have rights! Contact information for county district attorneys is available from the California District Attorneys Association. To file a wage claim or report a labor law violation, please contact the DLSE district office closest to the city/location/community where you performed work. 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. 0 Advokids. Who do I contact? 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. Helping children and youth in foster care get the care, placement, and services they need. If you would like your full case records (child welfare or adoption), contact the dependency court that had jurisdiction of the case. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Where do I report concerns about an adoption facilitator? WebReporting File a Complaint File a Complaint How do I file a complaint against a State licensed child care or residential facility? If you need to establish a record of the marriage in California, you can file a petition in Superior Court to establish a. If you wish to report alleged improper governmental activity by a state employee or agency, please contact the Bureau of State Audits. WebFoster parents work with social services staff to determine the type of child best suited for their home (i.e., age, health issues, and gender). I want to file a complaint about the Social Security Administration. 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. Call: 877-846-1602. How do I obtain corporate records for business entities, such as corporations? If after investigation the grand jury concurs with your allegations, it will request the intervention of the district attorney. Your concerns should be addressed directly to the district attorney. Contact your social worker and/or your eligibility worker. WebCall 209-468-1104 to complete a referral by phone. Do you feel like your lawyer is not being ethical or professional? Ma'Khia Bryant death: Former foster-care kids say youth ombudsman in Ohio could make a difference. ), For additional information, please see our guide. If you were decertified (i.e. File a complaint with your countys Civil Rights Coordinator. Webfoster care. 11 0 obj <> endobj We have jurisdiction over foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. This program covers residents of the following states: CA. 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. Report your concerns to your countys Child Protective Services hotline. Are you not getting the help and support you need? California law gives discretionary authority to a locally elected prosecutor in filing criminal actions. Webpassage of Senate Bill (SB) 933 to establish a California Foster Care Ombudsperson Program. I have a discrimination complaint against a county welfare department or county welfare department staff worker. Call us at 877-846-1602 or file a complaint online. Correspondence that does not contain this information cannot be acted upon. Who can help me? You will also receive a confirmation email. You may also file a written complaint with our Office. The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over complaints against judges. Foster youthcomplaints are our first priority. 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. Participation is encouraged! 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). In addition, private citizens or the district attorney may bring a civil suit to enforce provisions of the Brown Act or to repeal actions taken in violation of the Act. Who should I contact? 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. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? To do this, you must send the county agency a letter explaining your concerns with a request that they respond to you in writing. WebChild Care. When the Legislature enacted the Public Records Act in 1968, it provided several judicial remedies for persons who believed that they had been wrongfully denied records to which they were entitled. For additional information, please see our. I want to contact the Foster Care Ombudsmans Office. 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. WebCalifornia Foster Care Ombudsperson Helpline: 1-877-846-1602 Website: www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov Email: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov FOSTER YOUTH BILL You have the right to: You have the right to a CFT. 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). birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees)? You have 180 days from the date of the event to make a complaint. 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. Are you a current or former foster youth? Do you need a smartphone or tablet? 8-13-25; Sacramento, 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. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. 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. 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: I am the victim of housing discrimination? We will ask how you tried to resolve the situation when you contact our office. 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! These decisions are made through Family Law Court. 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. Do you need help accessing appropriate mental health services? Try to remember the event. 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. Are you concerned about how a foster parent is caring for a youth? 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. 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. File a complaint with the Community Care Licensing Division. This agency may be contacted as follows: How do I authenticate official documents to be used outside of the United States? Who do I contact? 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.. 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. It is the Department of Justice general policy that local governments will be primarily responsible for citizen complaints against law enforcement agencies or employees of law enforcement agencies, and that appropriate local resources (e.g. Web(a) The Office of the State Foster Care Ombudsperson shall do all of the following: (1) Disseminate information on the rights of children and youth in foster care and the services provided by the office. 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. I want to contact the Foster Care How do I file a complaint against a State licensed child care or residential facility? 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. To obtain a court record, you will need to contact the. Do you need help navigating the Medi-Cal system? WebThe California Ombudsperson for Foster Care is the state agency mandated to investigate and attempt to resolve complaints, on behalf of foster children, related to their care, placement or services. Is my marriage legal or recognized in California? Who should I contact? %PDF-1.6 % See How We Make It Happen 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. These remedies include the right to seek injunctive or declaratory relief or a writ of mandate in the Superior Court. The Secretary of State's Office provides access to corporate, limited liability company and limited partnership information. 59 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[11 84]/Info 10 0 R/Length 202/Prev 324902/Root 12 0 R/Size 95/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream 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. 95 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3A4CDF52F56CAB4F148D2CD6E606F149><6B24CA6DA8B4BD4E9D70B0D0C27624BD>]/Index[60 85]/Info 59 0 R/Length 147/Prev 167832/Root 61 0 R/Size 145/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The Attorney Generals Office cannot assist you with a child custody or visitation matter. 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. I am being prosecuted for a crime that I did not commit. WebOffice of the Foster Care Ombudsperson 744 P Street, M.S. Is there a directory available? hb``c``6e```0D8!A2Sa 2RLb\813s6F&lb>qqKkU^Ok'+X:\# E" 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. According to a statement released Wednesday by the Department of Social Services, Lawrence Fluharty will begin in his post on Monday. 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 If your question doesnt get answered, please email. For a referral, visit. This agency may be contacted as follows: The Board of Psychology licenses and regulates psychologists. I lost a civil lawsuit, and I feel the outcome was unjust. I wish to report a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The national network for youth in foster care. 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. %%EOF You should first direct your complaint to the local law enforcement agency. If you want to know if you are listed on the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI), send a self-inquiry requestto the Department of Justice. The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is a neutral and independent office that helpssolve problemsandcomplaints about thecare, placement,andservicesof childrenand youthin foster care. Wehelp foster youth, social workers, probation officers, resource families and advocates understand the rights of children and youth in foster care.We alsohelp by making policy recommendationsto improve the foster care system.If youare concerned about therightsof a child in foster care, or issues related to theircare, placement, or services, wemay be able tohelp!, The OFCO provides former foster youth in California with Dependency Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). If you have already been convicted of a crime and are seeking a pardon, you should contact the Office of the Governor. Who do I contact? To contact the FDIC, go to. You have the right to: You have sexual health rights too. WebFoster Care 33. 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. Who do I contact? If the estate has already been probated, contact the. 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. WebThe office investigates and resolves concerns made by or on behalf of children and families involved with PCSAs,Title IV-E agencies, or private provider agencies that administer or 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. Do you feel like you are not receiving the same benefits and services as others? 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. Life skills. complaints are our first priority. Does your lawyer not respond to your contact attempts or return your calls or emails? The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is responsible for providing statewide oversight of county Child Welfare Services (CWS) programs. As a young person in foster care, you have: The right to be treated with respect. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. You can also contact us if you need help finding resources or if you are a former foster youth who needs a verification letter, (sometimes called a dependency letter or ward of the court letter), . Contact your social worker/probation officer and lawyer. If you cannot afford a private attorney, you may consider contacting your local legal aid office. If you have information that an employer is committing tax evasion, please contact the appropriate state and/or federal tax enforcement agencies. They include the reunification issues, court The areas in which the CDE has complaint oversight are explained below. Law Enforcement Complaint Form. The California Secretary of State provides authentication (apostille or certification) of public official signatures on documents to be used outside the United States. Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. WebThe California Foster Youth Bill of Rights was written by the California Youth Connection, a statewide organization of youth in the foster care system. 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 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. to determine if it needs further investigation. (Government Code sections 54960 and 54960.1.) The Board of Behavioral Sciences licenses and regulates Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), and Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP). Cost: Free. The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving foster youth in California by investigating and resolving complaints about foster To receive credit, you will have to be actively participating for 85% of the training. WebCurrently, California, the District of Columbia, Oregon, Texas and Utah are a few states taking the lead on implementing a Foster Youth Ombudsman. This duty precludes the Attorney General from representing individual citizens in their disagreements with state agencies or providing advice to any individual regarding the disputed activity. My employer is violating California labor laws and/or owes me wages. Foster parents receive a Tablets for Foster Youth and KinGap Youth, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164. 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. California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage and divorce records are maintained by the California Department of Public Health Vital Records. I want the crime to be investigated and for the perpetrator of the crime be prosecuted. WebOmbudsman services are confidential and free of charge. Family Support Service. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Do you need a, Are you a current or former foster youth? A list of DLSE district offices and their contact information is available at, The Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is responsible for enforcing California laws and regulations pertaining to workplace safety and health. The agency with authority to investigate violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is the U.S. Department of Justice. f|} gd\),$.Q F o! 144 0 obj <>stream Victim Witness WebAn ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve WebOffice of the Ombudsman Reference Guide (PDF) Foster Care Resources: Required posting for licensed foster care providers: Foster care facility poster (PDF) Give this to young people in foster care! YL[k90=azpe%MnJF ep0c&cr g:*U30BD 9Z This agency also handles complaints from employees who are retaliated against by their employer because they refuse to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of a state or federal statute, or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation. Our office does not handle constituent complaints against federal government agencies. Health care. Are you a current or former foster youth or KinGap youth? (Government Code section 54959.) An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Who should I contact? File a complaint with the State Bar of California. 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. %PDF-1.6 % I have a complaint against Child Protective Services (CPS). Training certificates have been sent out. Contact the Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman. 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 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. 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 I have a complaint about the attorney and/or judge involved in my case. In-home de-escalation, stabilization, conflict resolution, and support services and resources. Find out how a physician can enroll you in Medi-Cal, how to receive free health screenings, and family planning services. I have a complaint about a county child welfare services agency. This program covers residents of the following states: CA. 510-658-7353 Main. Participants will learn about the role and duties of the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard.