Religious Rights of Youth in Out-of-Home Care - New Hampshire
Youths' Religious Rights
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170-G:21
A child who is placed in a foster home or other out-of-home placement pursuant to a juvenile court proceeding shall have the right or privilege to participate in activities associated with their religious beliefs.
Agency Responsibilities
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 169-D:23; Admin. Rules §§ He-C 6350.31; He-C 6446.21
When placing children, the court shall, as far as practicable, place them in the care and custody of some individual holding the same religious belief as the child or the child's parents or with some association which is controlled by persons of like religious faith. No child under the supervision of any State institution shall be denied the free exercise of their religion or that of their parents, whether living or dead.
In regulation: During the admission process, the staff of a residential treatment facility shall determine if the family has wishes regarding the child's religion or faith and discuss any religious affiliation of the residential treatment program with the child and the parent or guardian. The facility shall not require any child to participate in any religious observance or practice except with the written permission of the parent or guardian. The residential treatment program shall obtain written permission from the child's parent or guardian before any child changes their religious affiliation.
Foster parents shall respect and encourage the linguistic, ethnic, religious, spiritual, and cultural background of the child in care and of the child's family and cooperatively support the child in care in maintaining their linguistic, ethnic, religious, spiritual, and cultural connections.
Addressing Grievances
Citation: Rev. Stat. § 170-G:21; Admin. Rules § He-C 6350.33
A child who is placed in a foster home or other out-of-home placement shall have the right to the following:
- To be informed of the process for contacting the child protective services worker's supervisor or other department staff, the guardian ad litem, and the Office of the Child Advocate
- To be informed by the department of the rights set forth in this section and to receive assistance in obtaining and enforcing them
In regulation: A grievance procedure shall be established and provided in the parent and youth handbooks so children may constructively address their concerns without fear of retaliation. The disposition of any grievance filed shall be recorded in the child's record and in the monthly progress report.