Foster Youth Ombudsman | County of Riverside, CA

FOSTER YOUTH OMBUDS (FYO)

The role of a foster youth ombuds is to advocate on behalf of foster youth regarding their care, placement, and services. This role is focused on youth during their temporary stay at Harmony Haven. The FYO program is an independent team that reports directly to the County Executive Officer.

The FYO will help you facilitate self-empowered advocacy, provide education, problem solve, mediate for an agreement or a compromise, and advocate on behalf of foster youth.

The FYO team is a neutral, independent body. The team is here to assist with concerns regarding foster youth care, placement, services, and issues related to Harmony Haven while also making recommendations to help support systemwide change for Riverside County foster youth and their families.

The Vulnerable Children and Adults (VCA) oversight team identifies opportunities for improvement and conducts reviews to understand how the system of care is performing and where we can do better. VCA also oversees the implementation of initiatives put in place by county departments to strengthen the protection of vulnerable children and adults.

Who We Are

MISSION- to advocate for meaningful and timely assistance, fair and value-added processes, and effective transparent communication to improve systems and prevent future issues.

VALUES- to create a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment for vulnerable children, foster youth (or their families), and staff at Harmony Haven when they choose to share their experience, voice their concern, or ask for assistance.

GOALS- to provide a SAFE way for youth, advocates, and staff to share feedback or experiences by: Serving as an independent, neutral contact person. Assisting with complaints and discussing possible solutions. Facilitating discussions and offering recommendations. Ensuring timely, accessible information.

Harmony Haven

Harmony Haven was established in 2023 and is designed to provide short-term care and therapeutic support while the best and most appropriate placement for foster youth is coordinated.

Get in Touch

Confidentiality is one of the most important aspects of the work that we do. The information you share with the ombuds is kept confidential unless you wish to give the ombuds permission to disclose matters to others or share your information in an attempt to resolve an issue.

The FYO is an informal complaint process and is not a part of the state or local Department of Social Services, a law enforcement agency, or the legal system. We do not give legal advice, investigate allegations of child abuse, determine child support/custody/visitation, or have the authority to change Child Protection Services decisions, court orders, or case plans.

Whenever possible, you should try to resolve the issue on your own before contacting the Foster Youth Ombuds Team. For immediate safety issues or emergencies please call 9-1-1.

To provide feedback, submit a complaint, or request assistance from the FYO, please click on the "Contact Us" button below:

Resources

If you suspect or want to report child abuse or neglect, please immediately call the Riverside County Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-442-4918. For child abuse or neglect reports that occur outside of the Riverside County area, you should contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

Mandated reporters are required to report abuse immediately and must submit a written follow up report within 36 hours.

State/ Local:

National: