California Foster Care Ombudsperson

The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson was established to help ensure that children and youth in foster care have their rights protected and that concerns regarding foster care services receive an independent review.

The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is an independent resource that helps foster youth, caregivers, advocates, social workers, and others address concerns related to the foster care system. The Office investigates complaints, provides information about foster youth rights, helps resolve problems, and makes recommendations to improve foster care services.

The Ombudsperson does not replace existing child welfare processes, court procedures, or other complaint resolution systems. Instead, the Office helps individuals understand their options, access available resources, and navigate the foster care system.

In this OmbuDesk Directory entry, you can find information about the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson and how to contact them.

What is its purpose?

The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson helps protect the rights of children and youth in foster care and ensures that concerns about foster care services are reviewed and addressed.

The Ombudsperson can:

• Listen to concerns and complaints regarding foster care.
• Explain foster youth rights and available options.
• Help identify possible solutions to problems.
• Review complaints regarding foster care services.
• Refer individuals to the appropriate agency, department, or resource.
• Make recommendations to improve foster care services and policies.

Who can ask for help?

Anyone with a concern related to foster care may contact the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson.

This includes:

• Children and youth in foster care.
• Former foster youth.
• Foster parents and caregivers.
• Relatives caring for foster children.
• Social workers and probation officers.
• Attorneys, advocates, and community members.

What kinds of problems can you bring?

You can contact the Ombudsperson about concerns involving:

• Foster youth rights.
• Placement issues.
• Problems with foster care services.
• Concerns about treatment or conditions in foster care.
• Access to information, resources, or support.
• Questions about foster youth rights and available services.

What does the Ombudsperson do?

The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson can:

• Review complaints and concerns related to foster care.
• Help individuals understand foster youth rights.
• Provide information and referrals.
• Assist in identifying options for resolving concerns.
• Work with relevant agencies to help address problems.
• Identify systemic issues affecting foster youth.
• Recommend improvements to foster care policies and practices.

What doesn’t the Ombudsperson do?

The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson does not:

• Replace existing child welfare agencies or complaint procedures.
• Make court decisions or overturn court orders.
• Provide legal representation.
• Act as a substitute for social workers, attorneys, or other professionals responsible for case decisions.
• Guarantee a specific outcome to a complaint.
• Investigate matters outside of its authority.

Standards of Practice

The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson follows these principles:

• Independence.
• Impartiality.
• Confidentiality.

How can you contact the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson?

You can contact the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson through:

Telephone: (877) 846-1602

Email: fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov