Your attorney directly represents your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911. We appreciate the time and effort it has taken to contact our office. I need to reach the Social Worker Hotline. 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. I have a discrimination complaint against a county welfare department or county welfare department staff worker. We provide trainings on the services provided by our office, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, and the reasonable and prudent parent standards. 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. 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, PUB 339 (7/13) - Foster Care Ombudsman Brochure ; PUB 341 (4/16) - Adoptions Services Bureau Career Opportunities ; PUB 367 (4/13) - Reach For Your cy Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). Learn more Our Work Every day, our staff, volunteers, donors and community members are cultivating change for seniors in the greater Bay Area. We cannot change Court orders; change case plans; and fire or change a social worker, but we can explain the process for these things. College / Higher education. (Government Code sections 54960 and 54960.1.) Polinsky Children's Center 1-877-846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov 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. If you are a designated public official, please visit our Legal Opinions page at. Do you need a, We provide former foster youth in California with Dependen, cy Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court, care have rights! Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma. I need to know what law pertains to my situation. 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. %%EOF Our office does maintain criminal history summary records. A local government agency has failed to comply with my Public Records Act request. Web2007 California Welfare and Institutions Code Chapter 2.5. Health care. You can download digital copies below. These agencies may be contacted as follows: If your employer retaliates against you because of your efforts to report alleged wrongdoing, you may wish to seek whistleblower protection pursuant to California. Where do I report concerns about an adoption facilitator? Victim/Witness Assistance Centers are located in every county, usually within the District Attorney's Office. Make sure to click Add to calendar so that the Zoom link will be added to your online calendar. 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 concerned that you are not receiving an adequate rate to take care of a youth in foster care? 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. 510-658-0381 Childcare referrals. WebChild Care. endstream endobj 61 0 obj <>>> endobj 62 0 obj <> endobj 63 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 64 0 obj <>stream Contact your countys Family Law Facilitator for help on how to request changes in any of these orders. 8-13-25 Sacramento, CA 95814 1-(877) 846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. 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. We suggest that you consult with your attorney. The Commission on Judicial Performance is the independent state agency responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. Do you need help accessing appropriate mental health services? 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. 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. Are you a first time iFoster phone user? If you are searching for a letter to prove you were in foster care, call our office at 877-846-1602. 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? Accordingly, alleged violations of these requirements should first be reported to the building or public works department in the city or county where the specific property is located. Contact the social workers supervisor and the program manager. If your complaint is against a principal, teacher, or school personnel, you may want to ask your local district for information on their employee grievance process. Who should I contact? Health care. Ask about a stock portfolio or income statement. (Government Code section 54960.5. report to the appropriate agencies such as the countys Child Protective Services agency or the Community Care Licensing Division. 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 WebCalifornia officials have named a longtime dependency attorney as the states next foster care ombudsperson, a watchdog for the nations largest child welfare system. 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. 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. The Commission is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity and for disciplining judges. Do you have complaints about your family law case? You may contact the Inspector General as follows: I need legal advice or representation. The California Attorney Generals office represents the state in criminal appellate cases. 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. (See Government Code sections 6258-6259.) Writing it down can help. If you have already been convicted of a crime and are seeking a pardon, you should contact the Office of the Governor. 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 have the right to: You have health rights. hbbd```b``N AD2]gA$'D 4*u`qMH49 Av`r0) "Y]*";A$zU WebCall 209-468-1104 to complete a referral by phone. We have jurisdiction over foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. Our team will answer as many as we can in the Q&A section. Write your complaint in a formal letter and address it to the director of the county child welfare agency. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. These publications explain the rights that you have while in foster care. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of a child, call your county Child Protection Services, The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving. I have a complaint about the attorney and/or judge involved in my case. The unclaimed property typically stems from bank accounts, dividends, uncashed checks, matured or terminated insurance policies or certificates of deposit. Are you a youth in foster care, a youth who is on probation and in out-of-home care, or a non-minor dependent? 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. Access any record of a state or local agency that is necessary to I have a complaint about a child custody case. I wish to report a violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). 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. Volunteers receive a thirty-six hour training, free background check, and continuing education. 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. If you wish to report alleged improper governmental activity by a state employee or agency, please contact the Bureau of State Audits. In 2018, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission recommended creating an ombudsmans office to help fix problems in the states foster care system. 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. Who do I contact? Are you 13-26 years old and enrolled in a CA K-12 school? endstream endobj startxref Do you have complaints about your child support case? 144 0 obj <>stream Housing. h{ioG_m4. &" 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 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. Do you believe that additional resources are needed? This agency may be contacted as follows: If you wish to file a claim for monetary damages you believe were caused by a state agency, please contact the Government ClaimsProgram. 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. The Commission on Judicial Performance has jurisdiction over all judges of Californias superior courts, the justices of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and former judges before retirement or resignation. The Ombudsman Program utilizes trained and certified volunteers to respond to complaints and monitor long-term care facilities through unannounced visits. Find out how a physician can enroll you in Medi-Cal, how to receive free health screenings, and family planning services. Do you have concerns about their care, placement, or services? 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. Services. Victim Witness 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 Los Angeles LA County Ombudsperson for DCFS Youth placed in STRTPs Phone: 1-888-445-1234 The law that explains the Foster Youth Bill of Rights is Welfare and Institutions Code 16001.9. 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. While our Office cannot represent private individuals in personal matters nor provide you with individual assistance, we do review complaints to develop information about patterns or practices of activities which might indicate the need for formal investigation or law enforcement action by our office. Long Term Care Facilities A Consumer Guide to choosing a Nursing Home: 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. 8-13-25; Sacramento, Are you having problems with your care, placement, or services? Childrens Home Society Resource & Referral. Do you feel like a foster youths rights are being violated? Every law enforcement agency in California is required to establish a procedure to investigate citizens' complaints (Penal Code Section 832.5). You have the right to: You have sexual health rights too. 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. Does your lawyer not respond to your contact attempts or return your calls or emails? The Office of Foster Care Ombudsman, within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), handles complaints against county Child Welfare Services (CWS) programs. 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. Is my marriage legal or recognized in California? Available information includes the complete entity name, entity number, formation, registration or conversion date, status, jurisdiction, entity address, and the name and address of the agent for service of process. The Challenge-The Children; Foster Care FAQ; Foster Youth. We provide free Foster Youth Bill of Rights publications to foster youth, county child welfare and probation offices, and more. How do I file a complaint against a State licensed child care or residential facility? I want the crime to be investigated and for the perpetrator of the crime be prosecuted. My employer is violating California labor laws and/or owes me wages. Do you feel like they have engaged in judicial misconduct such as being rude, treating people improperly in Court, or delaying decision-making? Cost: Free. California Youth Connection; Foster Youth Resources; Wraparound; Parents. If you were decertified (i.e. I lost a civil lawsuit, and I feel the outcome was unjust. A toll-free hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffed with caring counselors trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for children and youth impacted by trauma. I don't like the way a county employee treated me. Are you having issues with your managed care health plans? You may contact the Commission as follows: I have a complaint against a state correctional facility or correctional employee. 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). 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. 94 0 obj <>stream 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. If you feel safe, try to resolve it with the people who were involved. Who can help me? 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. We solve problems and complaints about foster youth rights violations and the care, placement, and services of youth in foster care. The Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over complaints against judges. If this is your first time applying for an iFoster phone, click the link below to apply! Do you feel like your rights are being violated? WebFoster Care Ombudsman by California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serving Richmond, CA. WebFoster Care Ombudsman by California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serving Riverside, CA. How do I request an Attorney General's opinion?