includes having a Foster Care Home Study competed, and receive your license. Youll need to take classes and be certified in CPR. Clothing allowance: When a child initially comes into care, a foster parent can spend up to $100 on a child and My boyfriend and I live together; is that O.K.? If there is a documented need for a check or clothing gift card to be issued for clothing, there are two ways funds can be issued: Clothing Gift Cards may be used for emergency clothing for children waiting for placement, or for an emergency placement. Each child is given the supplies they desperately need along with care, attention, dignity and respect. A check can be issued via CWS/CMS (the check must be mailed within. The main requirement is to have the ability and desire to provide the type of care needed by the children served. If the request is for a third or subsequent clothing allowance, forward the DCFS 280 and DCFS 2282 and documentation to the ARA for approval. children for whom they provide care. It is difficult to say when you will get your first All clothing purchased for the child will belong to the child and will go with them should they leave the foster home. have emotional problems related to their experiences. Southern California Public radio, "the average child in foster care costs the county anywhere from $20,568 to $23,724."3 In contrast, The Alliance for Children's Rights projects the average 15-year old to receive less than half of the average child in foster care. Find the answers to all your foster carer allowances, tax, benefits and employment questions here. Clothing allowance. on the size and capacity of the home. Document that the clothing supply was checked, the results of the assessment, and what, if any, actions were taken in the Contact Notebook. A child age (3) three or (4) four is eligible for the BTSC allowance if they are registered in a public school and will attend a Development Center program for children with mental retardation/developmental disability or a program for multiple-handicapped children (i.e. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helpinggrowfamilies_com-leader-1','ezslot_5',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpinggrowfamilies_com-leader-1-0');Most people have heard of foster parents or the foster care system. parents are also responsible for providing transportation to family visits, There are 8 steps to becoming a foster parent. However, this is who may be severely neglected, suffering from physical or sexual abuse and may Foster Care cannot be used as income for this purpose. Foster parents may provide care for one or more children, the maximum of six at any one time. Each county's individual annual board rate is set according to the child's age. short-term residential therapeutic programs, Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Sections 11460, Children/youth who are residing in out-of-home care. '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' But there might be a few costs, most of them occurring at the beginning of the process, that you should be aware of. For children who have special requirements, there is a DCFS Youth Development Services Division (YDS) and the Probation Department offer gift cards to Independent Living Program (ILP) eligible youth (age 16-21) and Transitional Housing Program (THP) eligible youth (age 18-21) for daily living expenses. If the child/NMDs whereabouts are unknown (runaways), the residential program must issue a check in the amount of the remaining balance in the child/NMDs name and provide the check to the childs CSW. A foster family is expected to support and encourage a childs safe return to the family they came from. placement. You are strongly encouraged to reach out to your local Department of Health and Human Services and request information about becoming a respite foster care provider. 302 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<791CFCECF02360C18603377C8D645724>]/Index[275 46]/Info 274 0 R/Length 122/Prev 807961/Root 276 0 R/Size 321/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream We think its important for you to know what foster care. We hope youll realize that the small outlay of funds mentioned above will be worth it when you realize what the foster care process means to your life and that of any children you end up helping. To become a foster parent in the state of California, one must be at least 18 years of age. homes must have safely operating vehicles that are insured and large enough to Foster parents or youth in an Independent Living Arrangement or a Transitional Living Advocate placement may be able to receive mileage reimbursement for transportation . When sharing a bedroom, children over the age of five must be of the same gender. Clothing There was a subsequent exceptional need identified and, Other local community resources were not available. The OFCO is a neutral and independent office that helps solve problems and complaints about the care, placement, and services of children and youth in foster care. Legal Resources:DC Superior Court Child Abuse and Neglect Attorney Practitioners (DC CCAN) 2020 Foster Care Clothing Replacement and Diaper Allowances New York State Foster Care Boarding Rates Foster parents are entitled to a monthly payment allowance intended to help them cover a portion of the costs incurred by caring for children in their home. But there are some costs that foster parents incur simply because they want the foster child to feel like they are part of the family. gtag('js',new Date());gtag('config','G-02Z2TTHNXR'); Becoming a foster parent can be incredibly rewarding for both a child in need and the foster parent. Many Monthly Clothing Allowance: If you are 15-20 and you live in a foster home or group home then you should receive a monthly clothing allowance of $83.34 ($1,000 a year). Are you homeless and need to pick up mail? Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, & Expression (SOGIE). 11 Maine has two regular foster care maintenance rates, for children with minimal needs ($16.50/day . To find the dates, times, and location, please call (520) 323-4476 for Pima County or (480) 748-9269 for Maricopa County. Adoption Fees . Applications for the School Clothing Allowance Program are now being accepted by DHHR from July 1- July 31, 2021 for eligible kids enrolled in West Virginia Schools. This FYI advises staff of the date that the automatic BTSC allowance warrants will be issued and the last day to update CWS/CMS in order for a child to be included or excluded in the automatic BTSC allowance process. basic foster care rates currently range from $657 to $820 per month, depending The new daily rates effective July 1, 2022 are as follows: Child's age. 0100-535.25, Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program. This can include presents, such as birthday and holidays. SEMI-ANNUAL CLOTHING ALLOWANCE AND HOLIDAY ALLOWANCE The semi-annual clothing allowance is sent automatically to providers for children who are in state-paid family foster care placements on February 28 and August 31. Please enable scripts and reload this page. $275.97. 1-877-846-1602 fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov. The monthly clothing allowance is the child, youth, or NMDs to save or spend as they choose and it is the responsibility of the Foster Care Placement (STRTP, CTF, FFA, ISFC-FFA) to provide the child, youth, or NMD with all of the clothing on the Clothing Standard (contract exhibit A-1 Clothing Standard). All clothing purchased becomes the property of the child and is sent with the child if the placement changes. After all, in a perfect world the foster system wouldnt cost a foster parent a single dime. The residential program must obtain signed documentation of their receipt or utilize certified mail. If there is no host county/state back-to-school allowance, notify the caregiver about this. We think its important for you to know what foster care does cover and what it doesnt. becoming a foster or adoptive parent you are required to attend a Foster Parent Child benefit is not payable to foster carers who are in receipt of a weekly fostering allowance. The largest percentages are African American and Latino children. doctor visits, therapy visits as required by childs needs. This information may also be used for verification, when necessary, by the EW. The authority of the local department social services, OCFS, and Family Court in supervising the agency's practice. It is difficult to say when you will get your first are accurate and unblocked. denied foster care benefits when the child does not meet the 1996 . Each Initial Clothing Allowance - Family Foster Care The initial clothing allowance is available to a child when he/she enters a paid foster care setting. Children in foster care benefit from respite because it allows them to form good connections with others, improve their self-esteem and social skills, and learn to trust others. If the clothing allowance is denied, return the DCFS 280 and DCFS 2282 to the SCSW/CSW for corrective action. number of foster children that can be placed in a foster home varies depending must have a stable 0-5. Often these children are removed from their homes in the middle of the night with only the clothes on . Forms/Brochures. of your family. NMDs in SILPs are not eligible to receive SCI rates. 18.1.4 General guidance regarding maintenance payments Letters/Regulations. Foster care applicants complete a 30-hour preparation course and receive information necessary to prepare for a rewarding family experience. Contact | Locations WIC Sections 11461(f)(1) Defines clothing allowance. Along with the home inspection, a state representative will be assigned to meet with you in your home several times to get to know you and your family. There is certainly compensation for helping provide for these children, but you wont get rich doing it. A clothing allowance cannot be issued for a non-dependent infant on a Teen Parent case. One type of emergency placement is provided by foster families who have elected to make slots available from their licensed capacity, to children who require placement at any time during a twenty-four (24) hour period. The CA caseworker or designated individual in the office signs and provides the hard copy to the caregiver. This is what is referred to as the home study process. Try to remember the event. If you have any questions about becoming a foster carer with us, please get in touch by phone on 0800 566 8317 or online here . What is the Uniform Foster Care Rate? The CA caseworker will initiate a payment to reimburse the caregiver when the caregiver purchases clothing and provides a receipt and the RA or designee has approved the purchase. If an EAR was used to issue a BTSC allowance for the same year, an automatic BTSC allowance will still be issued, generating an overpayment. Some of these safety features will be age-dependent, as the youngest foster children will require child-safety features throughout the home. wardrobe" for a youth in foster care, there is no definitive answer. If you want to order a printed publication, you can call us at 877-846-1602 or send an online request. In relative placement (Youakim) cases, the BTSC allowance may be issued for a child who received an initial/replacement clothing allowance after June 30th if the child was placed prior to June 30th and Youakim eligibility determination exceeded (30) thirty days. We certainly dont want potential foster parents to suffer financially just because they want to help children, and thats why weve made the financial process as easy on them as possible. FAQs About Becoming a Resource Family. Address: 6200 Second Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 At the time of placement or soon after, adhere to the following procedure, Inventory the childs clothing using the. . The current placement action must have been made prior to July 1st of the current year and the child/youth must not have received an initial/replacement clothing allowance after June 30th of the current year. Foster Youth Resources | FYH Know Your Rights Download the Foster Youth Bill of Rights These publications explain the rights that you have while in foster care. The clothing need could not be met through the standard clothing allowance in the foster care monthly payment (if the child is placed in a licensed foster home). Youll need to pay for the required background checks that everyone must go through. I am San Bernardino County Emancipated Foster Youth that aged out of the system and I need Medi-cal/Medicaid, who do I contact? on the age of the child. FOM 905-3 1 of 2 FOSTER CARE RATES FOB 2022-025 10-1-2022 CHILDREN'S FOSTER CARE MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FOSTER CARE RATES . Foster parents, especially those fostering children with problematic behaviors and/or special needs, may not always have this choice. familys financial needs. +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null); javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ If you live in an Independent Living Program (ILP) then your clothing allowance is included in your monthly stipend of $695. If you feel safe, try to resolve it with the people who were involved. Do I need to have a car? (2) Respite care: respite care is defined in federal regulation as an allowable title IV-B child welfare service and is not an allowable expenditure under title IV-E foster . if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helpinggrowfamilies_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpinggrowfamilies_com-leader-2-0');Foster parents are expected to encourage the foster child to participate in activities and events that will help the child develop their social and intellectual skills. Birth up to 3 years. Children and families benefit from respite care because it allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. The supervisor must approve all clothing requests in FamLink. *This limit of six children includes the The adults. foster care status, depending on their individual situation. They advocate on behalf of the best interest of the child. Staff is available to answer parenting children. Foster parents are given around $650 to $850 a month to care for the food needs of a foster child and other basic necessities (toiletries, etc). Nonminor dependents (NMDs) receiving extended foster care benefits are eligible for county clothing allowances if the placement type is eligible for these allowances. rates see FOM 905-3, Foster Care Rates. parenting children. (a) Responsibility of social services districts. 2000 Family Paths: (800) 829-3777 ACCESS Mental Health Services: (800) 491-7099 Legal Assistance for Seniors: (510) 832-3040 DREDF: (510) 644-2555 Writing it down can help. . The CA caseworker will authorize a one-time clothing voucher up to $200 for each child at the time of initial placement in out of home care, (licensed foster home or unlicensed caregiver home). A stipend is provided to compensate for the childs room and board, clothing, and other daily incidentals. Clothing Allowance www.youthinprogress.org Youth In Progress New York State Foster Care Youth Leadership Advisory Team . Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown (Red/Yellow/Green) Orientation. a. +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ | The emergency placement counts in the resource home's placement capacity number of foster children that can be placed in a foster home varies depending years of adulthood. There are several requirements that one must meet to be eligible to be a foster parent in the state of California. 340:75-13-45. But what exactly are foster parents? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helpinggrowfamilies_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_4',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpinggrowfamilies_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Training classes will be required, as well as an in-home inspection to ensure your home meets all of the safety and environmental standards required for all foster homes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'helpinggrowfamilies_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpinggrowfamilies_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Requirements to Become a Foster Parent in California: The goal of every foster-child placement is the reunification of the child with their biological family. What they share is a concern for children and a commitment to help them through tough times. The foster care case manager must work with the foster parent to determine need and budget what clothing and how much clothing can be purchased. children will need to be taken for visitation with parents and other family Important to note is that a childs biological parents retain their parental rights during a childs foster care stay unless those rights were terminated by a judge. have emotional problems related to their experiences. Approval: Jennifer Strus, Assistant Secretary. Foster children are eligible for free school lunches in all schools which participate in the. Respite foster care occurs when one foster family temporarily cares for the children of another foster family. They advocate on behalf of the best interest of the child. The caregiver will disseminate the monthly personal allowance to the child when age and developmentally appropriate. 17.18 Failure to provide foster care services Adds a section describing the authority for state intervention when agencies fail to provide foster care services or create substantial risk to the health, safety, or well-being of any child under their supervision and control. At Compass we provide wrap-around support for our foster carers with generous fostering allowances, and advice and guidance. Contact the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson. You have the right to: You have sexual health rights too. "The Uniform Foster Care Rate (UFCR; FCR) is a standard scale of monthly payments to foster parents for the cost of caring for a foster child." There are four parts to the rate: 1. The foster care licensing agency will provide foster parents with information explaining the Uniform Foster Care Rate, reimbursement amounts, clothing allowances, and how to appeal the foster care rate. If a child arrives with ample clothing, then this will not be necessary. The higher the needs of the child, the higher the reimbursement. It provides some relief to the childrens primary foster home. set an absolute limit of six children who can reside in a foster home, with no which these children must deal, they all need a safe, nurturing home The childrens behavior Even birthdays are overlooked and no presents are presented to celebrate a birthday that might or might not be remembered or given attention to, as a few bad apples use the stipend on themselves instead. Bus: 70, 74, 79, 80, P6, X2 other child. Go to WVPATH to apply online. The Clothing gift cards are also available for youth transitioning between placements. How Open Adoption Works. ARA approval is required for more than, Document the clothing information in the Contact Notebook. Tanya Trice, Social Work Program Manager, Tanya.Trice@dc.gov (202) 727-7461- General Older Youth Issues When you decide to become a foster parent, someone who works with foster care will take a tour of your home. This policy applies to CA caseworkers and fiduciaries. If we needed a carseat, we would be reimbursed by our agency with the understanding the carseat goes with the child if they are RU. Data Portal. Other parents can hire a babysitter or leave their children with their grandparents for a night out on the town. years of adulthood. the needs of the children placed in your homes. Regulations require that foster families must be able to meet all their If the child/NMD does not have an FDIC insured bank account, they should be given cash and the disbursement should be signed for with their first and last name and contact information clearly legible. "Foster care services" refers to the provision of a full range of casework, treatment, and community services for a planned period of time to a child who is abused or neglected as defined in 63.2-100. TAKE THE FIRST STEP. This rate shall continue for the duration of the placement. by the childs social worker. + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}'), You may work full time and have foster If the clothing allowance is approved, return the DCFS 280 and DCFS 2282 to the SCSW. Telephone? Youth in out of home care are provided a stable and supportive environment while the issues that led to their removal are addressed or an alternate permanent plan can be made. Alicha Gough, Supervisory Social Worker, lisa.kim@dc.gov (202) 727-7500- Case Management The amount received changes depending on the area you live in California and the needs of the child. As a rule of thumb, we look for people who have attained at least ten +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ younger that, foster parents who work full time usually are not All foster children need a safe and loving home where they are met with patience and understanding. Foster parents must become trained by the state in which they reside and meet a multitude of state requirements to become licensed foster parents. Monthly Foster Care Payments in California:AgeAverage Monthly Rate0-4$9845-8$1,0489-11$1,09412-14$1,13715-21$1,182. on the size and capacity of the home. children with multiple disabilities). You have the right to: Preparing for Adulthood &Money Management. County clothing allowance (if provided by county) Infant supplement. rmra`pwH:+j=p fc^//8WZu. $324 . Alexandria Kline, Supervisory Social Worker, alexandra.kline@dc.gov (202) 727-7500- Case Management You have the right to: You have school rights. You have rights to protect your SOGIE. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'helpinggrowfamilies_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helpinggrowfamilies_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');A clothing allowance may be issued if a child arrives at the foster home with no clothing and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refer to the following chart regarding clothing allowance rates: A child age (4) four years or younger is eligible for the same allowance as a child age (5) five if (s)he is starting kindergarten in September of the current year but will not reach age (5) five before December 1st. You Foster care parents in California receive a monthly payment of between $984 to $1,182, depending on the age of the child. javascript: SP.SOD.executeFunc('followingcommon.js', 'FollowDoc', function() { FollowDoc('{ListId}', {ItemId}); }); javascript:if (typeof CalloutManager !== 'undefined' && Boolean(CalloutManager) && Boolean(CalloutManager.closeAll)) CalloutManager.closeAll(); commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ Its also necessary to get a background check performed for other adults living in your house, such as a child home from college or a grandparent. Brothers and sisters who need to stay together. NMDs receiving extended foster care benefits are eligible for county clothing allowances if the placement type is otherwise eligible for these allowances. an applicant to be an adult who is at least 18 years of age. Do Stepparents Have Legal Rights to Stepchildren? Breaks are necessary for all families. 4 Specialized Care Increments . available when social workers need to place children in foster homes; and, full Address: 616 H Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Foster parents need to have a working phone and not let the service lapse. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. (4) Difficulty of care payment. Teens with various degrees of mental, physical, or emotional troubles. Preference is given to adults with child-raising experience, and one may be single, married, or living together and unmarried. may not be appropriate to their ages. The enormous smile on the faces of the children as they leave the Foster Childrens Resource Center says it all! The foster care program provides the necessary support and training to enable foster parents to provide daily care and supervision for the child in care. A respite parent provides weekend or short-term care to foster children who are being cared for by another foster family full-time. children. Document this information and the caregivers notification in the Contact Notebook. The allowance for these children shall be the same amount as for a child age (5) five, but it will not be issued automatically. You have the right to contact the following people in private, and no one can stop you or punish you for speaking with them: You have the right to see and get a free copy of the following until you are 26: *Remember, your rights are law! may not be appropriate to their ages. The amount is a daily rate, based on the child's age. While most everyone already has a phone, its important to know that it is an expense thats a requirement for being a foster parent. *This limit of six children includes the Clothing Allowance Is determined to cover the basic needs for the care of the child in your home. Most children in foster care have experienced some level of trauma in their young lives. But if Isabella were with a non-relative foster family, they'd get at least $657 a month . Youth In Progress (YIP) revised the recommended clothing inventory list in 2006. DCFS 2282, Clothing Allowance Request (Up to 2), DCFS 2282, Clothing Allowance Request (3 or more). All foster parents receive a foster care allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child. For more information on Dual Agency rates, refer to PG 0900-511.12, Dual Agency Rates. Respite foster care is often referred to as short-term foster care. Child and Family Services Manual E. Foster Care E Section 18 Page 1 of 38 18 Funding Maintenance Costs . A youth in a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) is eligible for the applicable county clothing allowance. Volunteering at FCRC is a joyful and rewarding experience. Clothing. + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}'), /_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=40, javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + An ombudsperson (also called ombudsman) is an impartial, independent person with the authority and responsibility to receive, investigate, and/or informally address and resolve complaints about government actions, and when appropriate, make systemic recommendations based on findings. We are also looking for a solid background in by the childs social worker. The foster child will receive both health insurance and dental insurance through Medi-Cal. an applicant to be an adult who is at least 18 years of age. Dual Agency Rates Reimbursements, Allowances, and Medical/Dental Care Foster parents receive a monthly rate for the care of foster children. school and personal supplies, and a small allowance for the child. Monthly Clothing Allowance: If you are 15-20 and you live in a foster home or group home then you should receive a monthly clothing allowance of $83.34 ($1,000 a year). Our center serves foster youth from infancy to age 21, We offer in-person and socially distanced services, Children may come to the center every six months to get all brand new items, Each child receives a special and personalized shopping experience. | These children may have additional medical, emotional, or behavioral issues. If you live in an Independent Living Program (ILP) then your clothing allowance is included in your monthly stipend of $695. treat you unfairly because of your race, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental or physical disability, HIV status, or membership in a federally recognized Indian tribe, live in a home or STRTP that maintains the social and cultural standards of your Tribe and tribal community, live in a home of your relatives or extended family or a home that is licensed, approved, or specified by your Tribe, live in an Indian foster home that is licensed or approved, or a facility that is approved by your Tribe or an Indian organization that meets your needs, live in a place that reflects and keeps you connected to the cultural and social standards of your Tribe and/or tribal community, contact your ICWA advocate and have them attend court, contact your Tribe, tribal members, and Indian community, have a social worker/probation officer, and lawyer who is trained in ICWA, participate in traditional Native American religious practices, get help becoming a member of an Indian tribe or Alaskan village, get all the benefits that come from being a member of an Indian tribe or Alaskan village, be free from discrimination and be recognized for your relationship with an Indian Tribe or Alaskan village, have protections for your tribal relationship in your case plan, live in a home or STRTP based on your gender identity, be called by your chosen name and gender pronouns, see a doctor or counselor who is gender affirming, have clothing, grooming, and hygiene products that respect your gender identity and expression, have a caregiver, social worker/probation officer, and lawyer that have been trained on SOGIE and how to care for LGBTQ+ youth, stay at your same school if its best for you, get partial credits for all classes you were passing if you change schools, have priority enrollment in pre-school and after-school programs, have priority enrollment at California State Universities and community colleges, access information about college and career education programs, get information about your sexual health in a way that you understand, use or refuse services for birth control, condoms, other types of protection, and pregnancy care, including abortion, without telling an adult, get healthcare services for sexual assault without telling an adult, if you are 12 years or older, choose your own doctor or counselor and make decisions about preventing, testing, or treating STIs and HIV without permission from any adult, get gender affirming mental health treatment, work with your doctor to safely stop taking psychotropic medication, refuse to take psychotropic medication, and no one can punish you for it, know about your diagnosis and understand treatment options, get help with an alcohol or drug problem without permission, get mental health services in a place that meets your needs, if you are 12 years or older, choose your own doctor or counselor and make decisions, see a doctor, dentist, eye doctor, or talk to a counselor when you need to, refuse to take any medicines, vitamins, or herbs, and no one can punish you for it, have the risks/benefits of treatment explained to you in a way that is easy to understand, tell the judge what you want to have happen in your case, tell the judge how you feel about your psychotropic medications, ask the judge for visits with your siblings, request a hearing if you feel like your lawyer is not acting in your best interest, ask for people to be in the courtroom or ask for people to leave, keep your court records private (unless the law says otherwise), tell the judge how you feel about your family, lawyer, and social worker/probation officer, a lawyer, separate from your parents and the county, make sure you are safe and have the services and supports you need, tell the judge what you want to have happen, answer questions you have about court, foster care, and other laws, have a case plan within 60 days of being in foster care, have your case plan updated at least every 6 months, get a copy of it if you are age 10 and older, have your Tribe involved in case plan decisions, plans for visitation with your parents and siblings, transition to independent living plan (TILP), if you are 16 or older, a CFT meeting within 60 days of entering foster care, a CFT meeting at least every 90 days if you are in an STRTP or in a therapeutic foster home, a CFT meeting at least every 90 days if you are getting certain types of services, a CFT meeting when any changes are going to be made to your case plan, visit and contact your parents, siblings, and other family members in private (unless a judge says you cannot), contact people who are not in the foster care system (like friends, church members, teachers, and others), unless a judge says you cannot, your own bank account (unless your case plan says you cannot), work (unless the law says you are too young), earn, save, and manage your money (unless your case plan says you cannot), go to Independent Living Program (if you are old enough), beginning at age 14, get a credit report every year from 3 major reporting agencies and have help fixing any issues, use a phone to make and get confidential (private) calls, privately use email, text messages, or other electronic communication, foster youth advocates and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO).