Los Angeles County Websites
- Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
- Information for Youth (DCFS)
- Information for Parents (DCFS)
- Independent Living Program (ILP)
This program provides services and resources to assist transition age youth to successfully transition from dependency to self-sufficiency. - Los Angeles County Probation Ombudsman
- Department of Mental Health (DMH)
- Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Foster Youth Bill of Rights
Read about the Foster Youth Bill of Rights - there are more than 40 laws that specifically protect foster youth.
State of California Websites
- California Foster Care Ombudsperson
This is a division of California's Department of Social Services that creates an avenue for foster children and youth to file complaints regarding their placement, care, and services without fear of retribution from those who provide their care and services. - AB 12
This is a California specific law that extends foster care to 21 years of age. - California's Department of Social Services
This is a State department responsible for the oversight and administration of programs serving California's most vulnerable residents. - California's Foster Youth Education Rights
A coordinated effort by education agencies and child welfare agencies to improve the educational outcomes for students in foster care. - Community Care Licensing
This is a division of California's Department of Social Services that provides oversight and enforcement for more than 85,000 licensed facilities statewide serving such clients as children, parents and the elderly. - State Licensing, Short Term Residential Treatment Program Regulations
California Code of Regulations that applies to STRTPs. - California Welfare and Institutions (WIC) Code
This is the legal code to ensure that the rights or physical, mental or moral welfare of children are not violated or threatened by their present circumstances or environment.
Other Resources
- Los Angeles Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth (LA RHEP)
The Los Angeles Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth (LA RHEP) brings together foster youth and the agencies that serve them to promote evidence-informed strategies that reduce unplanned pregnancies and dismantle systemic barriers to sexual and reproductive health education and service access for youth in foster care. - Children’s’ Law Center of California (CLC)
CLC provides the legal representation for, and is the 'voice' of, children and youth in the dependency court systems in both Los Angeles and Sacramento. CLC attorneys are appointed by the court but operates independently of the courts and the Department of Child & Family Services. CLC’s clients are the children. - Youth Law Center (YLC)
YLC is a public interest law firm that works to protect children in the nation's foster care and justice systems from abuse and neglect, and to ensure that they receive the necessary support and services to become healthy and productive adults. - Alliance for Children's Rights
The Alliance for Children's Rights protects the rights of impoverished, abused, and neglected children and youth. By providing free legal services and advocacy, the Alliance ensures children have safe, stable homes, healthcare, and the education they need to thrive. - Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Los Angeles
CASA of Los Angeles provides screened, trained, and supervised community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused, neglected, and abandoned children. - Public Counsel
Public Counsel is the nation's largest not-for-profit law firm specializing in delivering pro bono legal services.
Public Counsel strives to achieve three main goals: protecting the legal rights of disadvantaged children; representing immigrants who have been the victims of torture, persecution, domestic violence, trafficking, and other crimes; and fostering economic justice by providing individuals and institutions in underserved communities with access to quality legal representation.