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. Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. We suggest that you consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. This information is also listed in the Notice of Action you should have received when the county notified you of decertification. This was in response to concerns regarding the need for an autonomous and 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. I need help with a child support case. Hotline and mobile response staff trained in working with children and families who have experienced trauma. 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, 888-452-8609 MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov. Court records are kept in the court clerk's office. You have the right to: Preparing for Adulthood &Money Management. You have the right to do some things on your own. Did you talk to the caregiver or agency/facility staff member? 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). An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. I am the victim of discrimination in services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store. Who should I contact? 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. 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. WebThe Office of Foster Care Ombudsman, within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), handles complaints against county Child Welfare Services (CWS) programs. Extended foster care (age 18+) Emergency support. Please contact your local school district administration to determine what local processes govern the resolution of complaints. Ongoing support services beyond the initial mobile response. You may wish to consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. 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 need to file a complaint against a state agency. For more information on how the 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. State law requires businesses to turn over unclaimed money and property to the state Controller's Office. For assistance in resolving a problem with a state agency, we suggest that you contact the director of the agency, your representatives in the. The state agency with the authority to adjudicate wage claims and enforce labor laws is the Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. We provide former foster youth in California with Dependency Letters (also called Verification Letters or Ward of the Court Letters). You may contact this agency as follows: Office of Foster Care Ombudsman; California Department of Social Services; 744 P Street, M.S. You can contact us about issues related tofoster youth rights, care, placement, and services. Are you a Medi-Cal member experiencing urgent problems with enrollment and dis-enrollment? WebFOSTER CARE OMBUDSMAN Toll Free Help Line 1-877-846-1602 The Foster Care Ombudsman: Provides a voice to speak and act on behalf of foster children and youth; County Mobile Response and Stabilization Teams also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 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. Lassen N/A 19. Are you not getting the help and support you need? I have a complaint about a public school. 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. Are you a first time iFoster phone user? The lawallows us to releasecertaininformationto certain peoplein the process ofconducting our duties; however, if we need to share this information we will tell you.. Who should I contact? Do you have complaints about your family law case? 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. 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). I have a complaint about the attorney and/or judge involved in my case. See How We Make It Happen 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. Ask about a stock portfolio or income statement. 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. We can also answer your questions about foster care. These trainings are available to anyone who works with or cares for youth in foster care in California, such as social workers, probation officers, resource parents, caregivers, CASA, STRTP and group home staff, and our CDSS Team. County Ombuds Contact Info 18. The decision whether or not to file charges calls for consideration of the prospects of obtaining a conviction against a particular defendant. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. The Commission may be contacted as follows: If you have a complaint against an attorney involved with this case, contact the State Bar. Your complaint about a California attorney should be directed to the State Bar. YL[k90=azpe%MnJF ep0c&cr g:*U30BD 9Z [Spanish Form], State of California Department of Justice. 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. Check if your complaint is in our jurisdiction. Call us at 877-846-1602 or file a complaint online. These decisions are made through Family Law Court. A written description of the procedure is available from all law enforcement agencies. An attorney would directly represent your interests and is the one whose advice would be most helpful to you. Is your complaint related to the amount of a child support order, custody orders, visitation orders, or spousal support orders? The unclaimed property typically stems from bank accounts, dividends, uncashed checks, matured or terminated insurance policies or certificates of deposit. Did you contact your social worker/probation officer and lawyer? Life skills. 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. Are you under the age of 27 and enrolled in a post-secondary education program? 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. Webfoster care. Life skills. We provide free Foster Youth Bill of Rights publications to foster youth, county child welfare and probation offices, and more. 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. 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. The Attorney General has no jurisdiction in matters already before the court or in matters where the courts have already rendered a decision. I am being prosecuted for a crime that I did not commit. 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 California Provider Helpline (For Foster & Kinship Parents!) 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. According to a statement released Wednesday by the Department of Social Services, Lawrence Fluharty will begin in his post on Monday. 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. Examples of possible wage claims include the nonpayment of wages, overtime, or vacation. Report your concerns to your countys Child Protective Services hotline. 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. 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. Do you have complaints about child welfare practices and social worker conduct? Does your lawyer not respond to your contact attempts or return your calls or emails? FosterClub is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization:EIN 93-1287234 CFC #76187, 620 S. Holladay Dr. Ste. College / Higher education. 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. Do you need a smartphone or tablet? Do you need help navigating the Medi-Cal system? 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. You may wish to consult with a private attorney to determine any civil remedies that may be available to you. The attorney General has no jurisdiction in matters where the courts have already a. Services provided by a business such as a hotel, restaurant or store 27... Include the nonpayment of wages, overtime, or vacation uncashed checks, matured or insurance! 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