My Rights in Foster Care

As a foster youth, you have the right to

• live in a safe, healthy, and comfortable home where you are treated with respect.
• be free from physical, sexual or mental abuse by anyone.
• be given adequate and healthy food, adequate clothing and receive medical and dental care.
• keep your own money and have your own bank account.
• make and receive confidential phone calls and send/receive unopened mail (unless prohibited by court order).
• receive and attend independent living skills programs if you are at least 16.
• attend your court hearing and speak to the judge.
• visit and have contact with your brothers and sisters (unless prohibited by court order).
• contact your social worker, probation officer, attorney or CASA/Guardian ad litem volunteer at any time.
• see your social worker or probation officer once a month.
• attend school and religious services and activities of your choice.
• complain to the Ombudsman Office if you feel any of our rights have been violated or ignored, and be free from threats or punishment.

Your rights in a hearing
You will likely have several hearings about your case at some point. An administrative hearing is a legal proceeding held by a judge. In these hearings, you have the right to:

• be represented by anyone, such as an attorney, paralegal, friend or relative.
• present evidence and object to evidence presented by anyone else.
• ask for a continuance (reschedule) in starting or completing the hearing if you have good reason.
• look at and obtain copies of documents related to your case. Talk to your DSHS representative on how to do this.
• obtain, in advance, the evidence DSHS plans to use at the hearing.
• look at and obtain copies of laws, rules, guidelines and DSHS publications relating to your hearing.
• bring witnesses or ask the judge to have witnesses send or bring necessary documents to the hearing.
• ask witnesses questions, object to testimony, and present evidence to show that the testimony of any witness is not true.
• ask the judge to order witnesses to wait outside the hearing room to protect your privacy.
• ask a telephone hearing be changed to an in-person hearing or vice versa.
• object to the judge assigned to your case and request a different one.

 

 

 

1.Where can I get more information on my legal rights?

2. What kinds of complaints does the Ombudsman office hear?

3. What happens if I make a complaint about my treatment in foster care?

 

 

 

Who can I call about my hearing?

For more information about your hearing, you can contact the Seattle Office of Administrative Hearings at 206.464.6322 or 800.583.8261. You can also call the Office of Administrative Hearings Headquarters in Olympia at 360.664.8717 or visit www.oah.wa.gov