SCDSS Children and Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights
Did you know that there is a bill of rights for youth who are in care? Well there is! The SCDSS Children and Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights was written by the statewide youth advisory board GOALL (Go Out and Learn Life), to initially help the Department of Social Services (DSS) improve its Independent Living programs. South Carolina is one of the few states to have a Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights. This document is a resource available to you to help you with learning how to respectfully advocate for yourself. Knowing what your rights are is very important and can be essential to effectively navigating the foster care system. Because of the temporary or permanent separation from parents and other family members, it is essential that the children and youth in care have special safeguards, resources, and care available to them. However, remember that it is the foster parents’ or group home’s job to supervise and make sure that you are safe and healthy. If you feel as if any of your rights are being violated, then respectfully bring this to the attention of your caseworker.
Your voice and needs matter to us and there are others out there working on your behalf as well. Read the SCDSS Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights and keep a copy with you. Know your rights and use them when needed. After all the application of knowledge is true power.
SCDSS Children and Youth in Foster Care Bill of Rights
I have the right to:
- Be treated as a normal and important human being.
- Be cared for with love and affection.
- Be provided adequate food, shelter and clothing.
- Be heard and involved with the decisions of my life.
- Be informed about and have involvement with my birth family and siblings.
- Complete information and direct answers to my questions about choices, services and decisions.
- Reasonable access to my caseworker or a person in the agency who can make decisions on my behalf.
- Express my opinion and have it treated respectfully.
- Request the support and services that I need.
- Individualized care and attention based on my unique skills and goals.
- Ongoing contact with significant people in my life such as teachers, friends, my personal supports and relatives.
- Access to my case record to help me meet my goals.
- Personal property, personal space and my privacy.
- Be notified of changes that affect my permanence, safety, stability or well-being.
- Practice my own religion.
- Know what is expected of me in my foster placement.
- Be cared for without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion or disability.
- Caretakers who are interested in me and will support my involvement in social and school activities.
- Have goals.
- A plan for my future and the support I need to accomplish it.
- Once I turn 14 years old, give my input about changes or additions to my case plan.
- Once I turn 14 years old, choose up to two people to be on my case planning team other than my caseworker or foster parent.
- Once I turn 14 years old, ask one of the two people I chose for my case planning team to be my advocate/advisor and speak up for me.
DSS Form 30163 (AUG 16) Edition of MAY 12 is obsolete.
