An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
YOUTH RIGHTS
Youth in state’s care have certain rights.
A child who is placed in foster care shall be considered a primary partner and member of a professional team. A foster child, as the most integral part of the professional team, shall have the following rights to:
Adequate food, clothing, and shelter;
Freedom from physical, sexual, or emotional injury or exploitation;
Develop physically, mentally, and emotionally to his or her potential;
A safe, secure, and stable family
Individual educational needs being met
Remain in the same educational setting prior to removal, whenever possible
Placement in the least restrictive setting in close proximity to his or her home that meets the his or her needs and serves his or her best interests to the extent that such placement is available;
Information about the circumstances requiring his or her initial and continued placement;
Receive notice of, attend, and be consulted in the development of case plans during periodic reviews
Receive notice of and participate in court hearings
Receive notice of and explanation for changes in placement or visitation agreements
Visit the family in the family home, receive visits from family and friends, and have telephone conversations with family members, when not contraindicated by the case plan or court order
Participate in extracurricular, social, cultural, and enrichment activities including but not limited to sports, field trips, and overnights
Express opinions on issues concerning his or her placement, care or treatment
Three (3) additional rights if he or she is age fourteen (14) years or older, including the right to:
Designate two (2) additional individuals to participate in case planning conferences or periodic reviews, who are not the foster parent or his or her worker, and who may advocate on his or her behalf. The cabinet, child caring-facility, or child-placing agency may reject an individual with reasonable belief that the individual will not act appropriately on the child’s behalf
Receive a written description of the programs and services that will help prepare him or her for the transition from foster care to successful adulthood
Receive a consumer report yearly until discharged from care and to receive assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report.
Receive, free of charge when he or she is eighteen (18) years or older and preparing to exit foster care, the following:
An official birth certificate
A Social Security card
Health insurance information
A state-issued identification card; and
A copy of the child's cabinet case history, including:
1. Family medical history
2. Placement history records; and
3. The child's medical records, including physical, dental, vision, and mental health records
Request placement be made where he or she feels the most safe and accepted
Participate in a sibling or half-sibling's court hearing if deemed appropriate by the cabinet, court of jurisdiction, and guardian ad litem, if applicable; and
Raise his or her child and make decisions on behalf of his or her child unless a health or safety risk is determined by the cabinet or due to the treatment needs of the youth.
What should you do if you believe one of your rights have been violated?