About Us
Our History
In 1998, youth advocates from California Youth Connection (CYC) recognized the need for an agency that would advocate for the voices of youth in the foster care system. As a result of that advocacy, the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) was created. In 2001, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights was created and became one of the most important pieces of legislation for the office to oversee. In 2020, the Foster Youth Bill of Rights was updated to include over 41 foster youth rights. Today, the OFCO provides curriculum, training, and technical assistance to ensure the rights are upheld.
Our Mission
The mission of the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) is to advocate on behalf of foster children and youth regarding their care, placement, and services. The OFCO is an autonomous entity that is empowered to investigate and informally resolve complaints impacting foster youth, increase awareness about foster youth rights, and make recommendations to help support systemic change.
In 2023, we...
answered
hotline calls
initiated
complaints
wrote
verification letters
served
foster youth
The California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson is dedicated to serving
foster youth in California by investigating and resolving complaints
about foster youth rights, care, placement, and services.
1-877-846-1602
fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov
www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov
The law that governs the OFCO is Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) 16164.
