YOU HAVE SCHOOL . YOU CAN: YOU have ◆ go to school every day ◆ go to after-school activities right for your RIGHTS too! age and developmental level YOU HAVE RIGHTS AT COURT TOO. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE YOU CAN: Remember your rights. IN A SAFE, COMFORTABLE ◆ go to court and talk to the judge Also remember that the foster parent's or HOME WITH: see and get a copy of your court report ◆ group home's job is to supervise you and ◆ enough clothes and healthy food and your case plan keep you safe and healthy. ◆ your own place to store your things ◆ keep your court records private, unless ◆ an allowance (if you are in a group the says otherwise YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO SOME home) be told by your social worker or ◆ THINGS ON YOUR OWN. YOU CAN: ◆ a phone that you can use to make probation officer and your attorney have your own bank confidential 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 your case plan) ◆ send and get unopened mail (unless a herbs (unless a doctor or judge says you judge says someone else can open your must) ◆ go to Independent Living Program classes and activities if you are old enough mail) ◆ If you are 12 years old or older, you have contact people who are not in the ◆ the right to information about your YOU HAVE RIGHTS TOO. foster care system (like friends, church sexual health in a way that you YOU CAN: members, teachers, and others) understand it. This includes learning ◆ visit and contact your brothers and make contact with social workers, ◆ about the way sexually transmitted sisters (unless a judge says you cannot) attorneys, probation officers, CASAs, foster advocates and supporters, infections and diseases (STDs) are spread ◆ contact parents and other family members, or anyone else involved with your case and how you can prevent them; how you too (unless a judge says you cannot) ◆ be told about your placement by your can prevent pregnancy and what to do if social worker or probation officer 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 group, ancestry, national origin, gender a safe place ◆ punish you by physically identity, mental or physical disability or HIV ◆ call the Foster Care Ombudsman Office and hurting you for any reason status, or for any other reason, you should Community Care Licensing at any time ◆ look through your things call the Foster Care Ombudsman Help-line get help with school if you need it unless they have a good and for assistance. ◆ legal reason

Call the FOSTER CARE OMBUDSMAN at: Or, write to us at: Or, fill out the “Complaint Page” on our website: 1-877-846-1602 (It's a free call!) Foster Care Ombudsman www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov 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 [email protected]

The Office of the State Ombudsman wishes to thank the Los Angeles Affiliate of the National Association of Counsel for Children for their pioneering efforts to inform youth of their rights in the juvenile system. The Office of the State Ombudsman wishes to thank the Center for , Children & the Courts, Administrative office of the Courts, for their assistance with printing and distribution.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ◆ HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY ◆ DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PUB 396 (7/15)