You have the right…

• To live in a safe, healthy, and comfortable home where you are treated with respect.
• To not be locked in a room, building, or facility premises, unless you are placed in a community treatment facility.
• To receive adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing, and, if you live in a group home, an allowance.
• To attend religious services and activities of your choice.
• To be placed in out-of-home care according to your gender identity, regardless of the gender or sex listed in your court or child welfare records.
• To have caregivers who have received instruction on cultural competency and sensitivity relating to, and best practices for, providing adequate care to LGBT youth in out-of-home care.
• To have caregivers with trauma-informed training.
• To participate in extracurricular and social activities.
• To get age-appropriate and reasonable access to the internet, a computer, or tablet.

Do you feel your rights as a foster youth have been violated?

If so, you also have the right to contact the Community Care Licensing Division of the State Department of Social Services or the State Foster Care Ombudsperson regarding any violations of your rights. You can speak to representatives of these offices confidentially, and have a right to be free from threats or punishment for making complaints.

To make a complaint with Community Care Licensing, email letusno@dss.ca.gov or call 1-844-538-8766. You can also visit the website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/CCLD-Complaint-Hotline.

To contact or make a complaint with the Foster Care Ombudsperson, email fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov, call 1-877-846-1602, or visit their website at https://fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov.