How can I find contact information for my foster youth’s attorney?
- Your social worker should let you know your foster youth’s your dependency attorney is and their contact information.
- The Yolo County’s Children’s Services Coordinator can also assist. Call the main Child Welfare line at 530-666-8501 and ask to speak with the Yolo County’s Children’s Services Coordinator.
- You can contact Dependency Legal Services directly at 916-708-0318 or email them at info@dependencyls.com to get the contact information for your child’s attorney. Explain that you are a Yolo County foster caregiver and you are looking for contact information for your foster youth’s attorney.
When should I contact the foster youth’s attorney? Suggestions…
- Several days after placement – send a brief email to introduce yourself and include your contact information. You also may include a picture of child.
- A couple weeks before every scheduled court hearing
- With any significant changes to the child’s development – for example, a new diagnosis, medications, new struggles with school, etc.
- With any major changes to visitation – for example, if overnight visits start or if a new relative is added, etc.
- If the child moves from your home
IF YOU DO NOT UPDATE THE MINOR’S COUNSEL ABOUT CHANGES, THEY LIKELY DON’T KNOW ABOUT IT!
Foster youth have rights at court too…
- be told about court hearings in writing
- go to court and talk to the judge – right to attend court in person
- tell the judge what you want to have happen in your case
- tell the judge how you feel about your psychotropic medications
- ask the judge for visits with your siblings
- request a hearing if you feel like your lawyer is not acting in your best interest
- ask for people to be in the courtroom or ask for people to leave
- keep your court records private (unless the law says otherwise)
- tell the judge how you feel about your family, lawyer, and social worker/probation officer
- a lawyer, separate from your parents and the county