One year after a bill of rights for foster children passed the Oregon Legislature with a unanimous vote, the Department of Human Services (DHS) has turned that law into an important new tool for foster children. The bill, which was drafted from the recommendations of more than 100 foster youth from across the state, was designed to guarantee the basic rights of foster children to things like clothes that fit, proper nutrition, contact with their siblings, and their safety. While the existing laws already protected these rights, Oregon’s 13,000 foster children often had no way of knowing their rights in care and, worse, were without safe means to report violations.
The bill addressed these gaps by establishing a Foster Care Ombudsman in the Governor’s Advocacy Office and creating a dedicated hotline for foster youth to call with questions and concerns relating to their care and safety. The bill also required posters explaining foster child rights in plain language to be displayed in every Oregon foster home.
Darin Mancuso was hired to the Ombudsman position this spring and the hotline, called the Y.E.S. (Youth Empowerment and Safety 1-855-840-6036) line, began taking calls soon after. Already, Mancuso has fielded 17 calls addressing concerns such as abuse and neglect, sibling separation, and access to health care. The final piece of legislation falls into place this week with the distribution of posters into foster homes. DHS is now working to inform all children and youth in foster care about the rights they have under state law.
Tonia Hunt, Executive Director of Children First for Oregon, says the seeing these legal concepts become concrete tools to better protect children is heartening. “Not knowing you have rights is as good as having no rights at all,” she says. “As we work to reduce the need for foster care in our state and the length of time children spend there, it’s important that we also continue to work toward making the foster care experience as safe and supportive as it can be.”
State Senator Chip Shields (N/NE Portland), a champion of the foster children’s bill of rights and former foster parent, praised the implementation of the bill. “When the decision is made to remove a child from their home, as a community we accept the responsibility to provide that child with safety and care. The Foster Children’s Bill of Rights ensures that every youth knows their rights and our responsibilities. Implementation of the bill is a great step forward on our path to provide homes of healing for Oregon’s most vulnerable children.”
Royce Markley was one of the voices behind the bill. Now 20, Royce has spent ten years in Oregon foster care and describes experiencing a sense of helplessness finding his way in such a complicated system. “Foster youth face many disadvantages growing up in a system that is not always fair and almost always difficult to navigate,” he says. “Foster youth just want to be able to effectively advocate for their own rights as any other person would. For me, and for other foster youth, the bill of rights posters, the hotline, and the Ombudsman are powerful tools that youth in care can harness to better their lives and improve their upbringings.”
DHS Child Welfare Director Lois Ann Day adds, “The Foster Children’s Bill of Rights is an important set of tools and support for children and youth in foster care, and we remain committed to ensuring that children’s rights and safety are protected at all times while they are in the foster care system.”
