Resources and information for youth in foster care and for judges and others who work with youth regarding their rights, including State and local examples.
Dealing With the Courts
Foster Youth Help
Provides six actionable steps that youth in foster care can take in order to navigate legal proceedings.
Engagement of Youth in Court
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law & National Conference of State Legislatures (2013)
State-by-state summary of a child's right to be present and participate in child protective proceedings.
Engaging Youth in Court: A National Analysis
Elstein (2016)
American Bar AssociationShares findings from an analysis of foster youth court engagement efforts.
Foster Care Bill of Rights
National Conference of State Legislatures (2019)
Summarizes that rights accorded to children in foster care in each state.
Youth Voices for Permanency: Courtroom Guide on How Courts and Judges Can Make a Difference (PDF - 456 KB)
Voices for Adoption (2016)
Outlines ways that judges can increase youth engagement and mitigate trauma among children and youth in court processes related to child welfare.
State and local examples
Foster Youth Rights Handbook (PDF - 1,464 KB)
Ohio Youth Advisory Board (2015)
Explains to children in foster care their rights related to a multitude of areas, including spirituality, privacy, support, mental health, and education.
Handbook for Youth in Foster Care (PDF - 740 KB)
McBride
Provides an overview for youth of issues affecting youth in foster care, including a chapter about family court, the department of social services, and service plan reviews.