Bill of Rights for Foster Children

According to the Indiana Department of Child Services

Every foster child has inherent rights:

Article I

To be cherished by a family of their own, either by having their family helped by readily available services and supports to resume their care, or by plan, a continuing foster or adoptive family.

Article II

To be nurtured by foster parents who have been selected to meet their individual needs and who are provided services and support, including specialized training, so that they can grow in their ability to enable the foster child to reach their potential.

Article III

To receive sensitive, continuing help and understanding in accepting the reasons for their own family’s inability to take care of them and in developing confidence in their own self-worth.

Article IV

To receive continuing, loving care and respect as a unique human being—so they grow to trust in themselves and others.

Article V

To grow up in freedom and dignity in a neighborhood of people who accept them with understanding, respect and friendship.

Article VI

To receive help in overcoming deprivation or whatever distortion in their emotional, physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual growth may have resulted from their early experiences.

Article VII

To receive education, training, and career guidance to prepare them for a useful, satisfying life.

Article VIII

To receive preparation for citizenship and parenthood through interaction with foster parents and other adults who are consistent role models.

Article IX

To be represented by an attorney-at-law in administrative or judicial proceedings with access to fair hearings and a court review of decisions, so that their best interests are safeguarded.

Article X

To receive quality services, including involvement of the child and the legal parents in major decisions that affect their lives.

Article XI

To be allowed to visit with their legal parent(s) if they are in foster care.

Article XII

To have contact with siblings and other relatives.