As a 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 (unless prohibited by case plan).
  
• Make and receive confidential phone calls and send and receive unopened mail (unless prohibited by court order).
  
• Receive and attend Independent Living Skills Programs if you are 16 or older.
  
• 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 or probation officer, attorney or CASA.
  
• See your social worker or probation officer once a month.
  
• Attend school and religious services of your choice.
  
• Complain to Community Care Licensing or the Foster Care Ombudsperson if you feel any of your rights have been violated or ignored.

Brought to you by the Los Angeles County
Youth Development Services Division and Independent Living Program (YDSD/ILP) L.A. COUNTY TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP

Thank you for visiting our Youth Development Program website.  Please continue to contact us with your comments and suggestions.  We need and welcome your participation to make this site a vibrant source of information for all youth transitioning from foster care in Los Angeles County.  If you have information to share on our site or experience a problem with the site (e.g. nonfunctioning link),  Please contact Jennifer Chuang via email at chuanj@dcfs.lacounty.gov

The Youth Development Program receives a set budget every year from state and federal government sources.  Resources are distributed according to need and not as an entitlement. Since the budget is limited, please note that the services and benefits described in this website are available to eligible transitioning youth 16 - up to their 21st birthday in Los Angeles County, on a needs-basis, until all funds are spent for the fiscal year (the fiscal year ends June 30th).  There are some services available for youth 14 - 15.  Some of the resources are listed for your information and ARE NOT to be considered an endorsement by Los Angeles County.