PUB 396: Foster Youth Rights - California Department of ...

1 YOU HAVE SCHOOL Rights . YOU CAN: YOU have go to school every day go to after-school activities right for your Rights too! YOU HAVE Rights AT COURT TOO. age and developmental level YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE YOU CAN: IN A SAFE, COMFORTABLE go to court and talk to the judge Remember your Rights . see and get a copy of your court report HOME WITH: Also remember that the Foster parent's or enough clothes and healthy food and your case plan group home's job is to supervise you and your own place to store your things keep you safe and healthy. keep your court records private, unless an allowance (if you are in a group the law says otherwise be told by your social worker or home) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SOME.

2 A phone that you can use to make THINGS ON YOUR OWN. YOU CAN: have your own emancipation bank probation of cer and your attorney con dential calls (unless a judge says about any changes in your case plan you cannot) or placement account (unless your case plan says you cannot). YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: YOU HAVE HEALTH Rights . YOU CAN: learn job skills right for your age be treated with respect see a doctor, dentist, eye doctor, or talk work, unless the law says you are too young go to religious services and activities of to a counselor if you need to manage the money you earn (if right for your choice refuse to take medicines, vitamins or your age, developmental level and it's in herbs (unless a doctor or judge says you your case plan).)

3 Go to Independent Living Program send and get unopened mail (unless a judge says someone else can open your must). If you are 12 years old or older, you have mail) classes and activities if you are old enough contact people who are not in the the right to information about your YOU HAVE FAMILY Rights TOO. Foster care system (like friends, church sexual health in a way that you YOU CAN: visit and contact your brothers and members, teachers, and others).. understand it. This includes learning make contact with social workers, about the way sexually transmitted sisters (unless a judge says you cannot). contact parents and other family members, attorneys, probation of cers, CASAs, Foster Youth advocates and supporters, infections and diseases (STDs) are spread or anyone else involved with your case and how you can prevent them; how you too (unless a judge says you cannot).

4 Be told about your placement by your can prevent pregnancy and what to do if social worker or probation of cer you are pregnant YOU HAVE OTHER Rights TOO. YOU CAN: tell the judge how you feel about your NO ONE CAN: family, lawyer, and social worker lock you in a room or building tell the judge what you want to happen in (unless you are in a community BEING TREATED DIFFERENTLY your case treatment facility) If you feel you are being harassed or have your own lawyer abuse you physically, sexually discriminated against because of your sex, live with a family member if that would be or emotionally for any reason race, color, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic punish you by physically group, ancestry, national origin, gender a safe place identity, mental or physical disability or HIV call the Foster care Ombudsman Of ce and hurting you for any reason status, or for any other reason, you should look through your things Community care Licensing at any time get help with school if you need it call the Foster care Ombudsman Help-line unless they have a good and for assistance.

5 Legal reason Call the Foster care OMBUDSMAN at: Or, write to us at: Or, ll out the Complaint Page . on our website: 1-877-846-1602 (It's a free call!) Foster care Ombudsman Remember: What you tell us is private 744 P Street, MS 8-13-25 Or, send us e-mail: (except in certain circumstances). Sacramento, CA 95814 The Of ce of the State Ombudsman wishes to thank the Los Angeles Af liate of the National Association of Counsel for Children for their pioneering efforts to inform Youth of their Rights in the juvenile system. The Of ce of the State Ombudsman wishes to thank the Center for Families, Children & the Courts, Administrative of ce of the Courts, for their assistance with printing and distribution.

6 STATE OF California HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY Department OF SOCIAL SERVICES. PUB 396 (7/15).