Respect, safety, and a voice
Rights & Confidentiality
Children, youth, and families deserve respectful treatment, understandable information, and a way to ask questions or raise concerns.
Rights and everyday care
KFA’s policy framework calls for fair access to available services, respect for identity and culture, and support for children and youth to understand and exercise their rights. Information should be understandable for the person’s age, development, language, and communication needs.
Safe, respectful treatment
Physical and corporal punishment are prohibited. Exercise or physical activity must never be imposed as punishment. Humiliation, threats, and retaliation are also prohibited.
Participation and privacy
Youth and families should have opportunities to express their needs and preferences. Children and youth have protected access to private conversations with their worker, attorney, and other authorized advocates.
Communication and access
Ask for language assistance, a disability accommodation, or help understanding information or communicating a concern.
Read California’s Foster Youth Bill of Rights resources for a fuller explanation of rights and available help.
Confidentiality and authorized disclosures
KFA’s published privacy commitment is:
We respect the parent’s privacy and confidentiality. Information is only released with a signed authorization from the parent.
The following explains the legal and service context for that commitment. A signed authorization must come from a person with authority over the information and apply to the purpose, recipient, and records involved. A parent or caregiver’s signature does not authorize access to every record concerning a child, youth, or another person.
Some disclosures are required or otherwise specifically authorized by law, including mandated reports of suspected abuse or neglect, lawful licensing access, and disclosures under applicable court authority. A signed parental authorization is not a prerequisite where the law independently requires or authorizes the disclosure. Additional protections may apply to juvenile-court, health, education, and reporter information.
KFA’s records policy requires staff to check the requester’s identity, purpose, and authority and limit access to the information lawfully appropriate for that purpose. Staff should use an authorized, secure route for confidential records.
Ask KFA to explain a requested authorization, the information involved, and who may receive it. Children, youth, and nonminor dependents have their own rights that must also be respected.
Raising a concern
- Tell us what happened. You may raise a concern verbally, in writing, electronically, or with assistance. A special form or legal wording is not required.
- Choose a safe contact. Your assigned worker is an ordinary starting point. You may request an uninvolved supervisor or appropriate agency representative when that route is not safe or effective.
- Explain the help you need. Share the concern, your preferred way to be contacted, and any communication or privacy needs. Avoid placing identifying case details in public website comments.
- Receive appropriate follow-through. KFA’s policy calls for reviewing the concern, addressing urgent risks, explaining actions within the agency’s authority, and keeping the person informed when more time is needed.
Threats, punishment, or retaliation for raising a concern or helping another person are prohibited. Raising a complaint does not require giving up an external review right. KFA cannot overturn a court or county decision through its internal complaint process.
Independent help and urgent concerns
You may contact an outside agency without first completing KFA’s internal process. Depending on the concern, you may also speak with the county worker or probation officer, attorney, advocate, or Tribal representative.
Foster Care Ombudsperson
California’s independent office assists with concerns about foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. Learn about help and complaints.
Community Care Licensing
Concerns about licensed care can be directed to the California Department of Social Services. View the official licensing complaint information.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported to the appropriate county child protective services agency or law enforcement. Find California’s reporting guidance. Website forms and public comments should not be used for emergencies.
This page provides general information. For a specific situation, contact info@mykfa.org or the responsible agency privately. Applicable law, court orders, and individual rights govern the particular situation.
