1. Coalition for Educational Equity for Foster Youth
Foster Care and Youth Probation System Overview Patricia armani, LA County Dept of Children and Family Services Martha matthews, public counsel August 12, 2014
Coalition for Educational Equity for Foster Youth

2. Important Terms
Dependency/foster care system – supervision of youth by the juvenile court because of abuse or neglect by parents/guardians
Delinquency/youth probation system – supervision of youth by the juvenile court because of an offense by the youth
DCFS – Department of Children and Family Services, the county agency that provides placement and services to dependent youth
Los Angeles County Probation Dep’t– the county agency that supervises youth in the probation system

3. (Foster Care)
(Probation)

4. FOSTER CARE (Dependency)

5. LCFF Definition of Foster Youth
All youth with an open dependency (abuse/neglect) case in juvenile court, either in out of home placement (relative, foster parent, or group home), or living with their parents or guardians under court supervision.
All youth with an open delinquency (probation) case in juvenile court, who are in an out of home placement.

6. How Children Enter the Dependency System
Hotline call or report
Mandated reporters (school personnel, police, doctors, nurses, etc.)
Abuse/neglect investigation by DCFS
Child removed from home and placed with relative or in foster care.
Court case filed by DCFS
Juvenile court hearings - court orders placement and services.

7. Foster Care Placement Options
Child remains in parent’s home under court and DCFS supervision.
Child placed with noncustodial parent.
Child placed with relative or friend of family.
Child placed in foster home or group home.

8. Services to Child and Family
DCFS must ensure child receives: medical and dental care, therapy and other mental health care, education, and sibling visits.
DCFS (usually) must provide “family reunification” services to parents: visitation, drug/alcohol treatment, counseling, parenting classes, domestic violence classes; referrals for housing, benefits, etc.

9. Services to Child and Family
DCFS must ensure child receives: medical and dental care, therapy and other mental health care, education, and sibling visits.
DCFS (usually) must provide “family reunification” services to parents: visitation, drug/alcohol treatment, counseling, parenting classes, domestic violence classes; referrals for housing, benefits, etc.

10. Reunification?
If parents comply with case plan, resolve problems that led to removal of child, court may return child to parents, usually with continuing supervision for about 6 months.
If parents do not resolve problems that led to removal of child, court will end reunification services and make a permanent plan for the child.

11. Permanent Plan Options
Termination of parental rights and adoption
Legal guardianship with a relative
Legal guardianship with a nonrelative
Long term foster care is last resort.

12. PROBATION (DELINQUENCY)

13. How Youth Enter the Delinquency System
Arrest or complaint
Police report
DA decision to file charges
WIC 602 petition filed
Court hearings
If petition sustained, youth placed on probation.

14. Probation Case Outcomes…
Diversion or informal probation
Formal probation (petition sustained)
Placement decision by court:
Home on probation
Suitable placement (relative, foster home or group home)
Camp
Youth Authority

15. Addressing Issues of Court-Involved Youth (Dependency AND Delinquency)

16. Key Players in Juvenile Courts
All foster youth have…
Social worker (CSW)
Minor’s attorney (Children’s Law Center)
Some also have…
CLC investigator/social worker
CASA
Education attorney
All probation youth have…
Probation officer (DPO)
Public defender or panel attorney
Some also have…
PD social worker or resource attorney
Education attorney

17. Introductory Communication
When first beginning to work with a youth, contact these key adults by phone and to explain your role, and ask for information about the youth’s education history and current needs
Creating these connections early will help ensure a prompt response if concerns arise later!

18. Initial Contacts Will Make Your Job Easier!
When you first start working with a foster youth,
send introductory s or make phone calls to the
youth’s:
Education Rights Holder
Caregiver (if not the ERH)
DCFS social worker or probation officer
CLC attorney and/or public defender

19. Initial Contacts, Continued…
Connecting with you will help foster youth’s ERH’s, caregivers, social workers, probation officers, and attorneys do their jobs.
Let them know you can help by providing information they need for their reports, and working with them to address the youth’s education needs and resolve problems.
Ask them to call you about any situation that affects a youth’s education … especially a potential change in placement!

20. Contacting with Concerns
When a concern arises regarding a youth’s education, contact the youth’s ERH, caregiver, social worker/probation officer, and attorney(s).
These people have a legal responsibility to monitor the youth’s educational progress, and can provide or arrange supports such as tutoring, mental health care.

21. What If I Can’t Reach These People?
Make three attempts 1-2 days apart – leave both e- mail and voic messages; specify what you need and why it is urgent.
If no response, go up the “chain of command.”
Document your efforts.
If necessary, seek help from your supervisor to make higher-level contacts.

22. Going Up the Chain…

23. Other Contacts
The youth’s caregiver, even if he/she is not the ERH, often has a great perspective on the youth’s current education needs
Also consider contacting a youth’s CASA, education attorney, mental health providers, and others working with the youth.