Ohio Administrative Code › Title 5101:2 - Division of Social Services › Chapter 5101:2-5 - Child Services Agency Licensing Rules › Section 5101:2-5-35 - Foster youth bill of rights

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A)
								No court, agency,
			 resource caregiver, residential facility or any employee, volunteer, intern or
			 subcontractor of an agency, court or residential facility is to in any way
			 violate any of the following rights of children:
(1)
									The right to be
			 free from physical, verbal, and emotional abuse and inhumane
			 treatment.
(2)
									The right to be protected from all forms of sexual
			 abuse and exploitation.
(3)
									The right to receive timely and consistent access
			 to:
(a)
										Housing
			 that is a clean and safe living environment, free of infestation and
			 contaminants. This includes the right to enter their housing at any time during
			 their placement.
(b)
										Food in accordance to rule
			 5101:2-7-06 or
			 5101:2-9-20 of
			 the Administrative Code. This includes the right to have other special
			 considerations regarding food as a result of trauma included in their service
			 and/or case plan.
(c)
										Clothing appropriate to the child's age and gender
			 identity. This includes the right to participate and provide input regarding
			 the selection of their clothing.
(4)
									The right to
			 privacy and personal belongings.
(5)
									The right to
			 their own money. As age and developmentally appropriate, the right to earn
			 their own money, open a bank account, and be provided guidance on how to save
			 and spend money. For youth age fourteen and older, this is to be addressed as a
			 part of the youth independent living plan pursuant to rule
			 5101:2-42-19
			 of the Administrative Code.
(6)
									The right to
			 visitation and communication with parents, siblings, other family members,
			 non-related kin, friends and significant others from whom they are living
			 apart, in accordance with the child's service or case plan. Unless restricted
			 in the case plan or in accordance to paragraph (E) of this rule, the youth has
			 the right to communicate with these persons in private.
(7)
									The right to
			 contact their attorney, caseworker, custodial agency worker, probation officer,
			 court appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) as well as
			 other professionals involved with the youth in private, within twenty-four
			 hours of the request. Each of the phone numbers for these individuals and the
			 recommending and custodial agency hotline is to be accessible to the
			 youth.
(8)
									The right to have their opinions heard and be included
			 when any decisions are being made affecting their lives. As age or
			 developmentally appropriate, this includes the right to be invited to and
			 prepared for meetings and court hearings including information about their
			 permanency options.
(9)
									The right to receive timely, adequate, and appropriate
			 medical care, dental services, vision care, and mental health services. This
			 includes the right to have appointments scheduled and be transported to these
			 appointments.
(10)
									The right to enjoy freedom of thought, conscience, and
			 religion or to abstain from the practice of religion.
(11)
									The right to
			 receive appropriate and reasonable guidance, support, and supervision from
			 adults in their lives including parents, resource caregivers, agency staff,
			 mentors, youth advisory boards, and others, as applicable.
(12)
									The right to
			 participate in an appropriate educational program including the
			 following:
(a)
										The right to provide their input regarding selection of
			 schools consistent with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
			 2015.
(b)
										The right to participate in educational and school
			 related activities, without any barriers to access.
(c)
										For youth aged
			 fourteen and older, the right to have access to information regarding
			 vocational and post-secondary educational programs and financial assistance for
			 post- secondary education.
(13)
									The right to
			 life skills preparation pursuant to rule
			 5101:2-42-19
			 of the Administrative Code.
(14)
									The right to
			 participate in age-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, and social
			 activities per section
			 2151.315
			 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(15)
									The right to
			 protection against being discriminated against or harassed on the basis of
			 race, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion,
			 color or national origin.