Give you information about how you can solve your own situation.
Help you say what you want to say.
Call someone for you and explain what you want or need.
Assist you in taking part in decisions that affect your life.
Arrange a meeting with all the people involved and try to sort things out.
Work to change the system for all children and youth having the same problem.
Work with the community to promote and support advocacy for all children and youth.
What a children’s advocate cannot do
An advocate cannot promise that you will get what you want, but we can help to make sure you are heard and taken seriously. We cannot make decisions about your life or tell your social worker, foster parent or parents what to do. We can try to help you find a solution and/or make recommendations to those in positions of authority inside the agencies or government if what you want or need is in your best interests.
When should I talk to a children’s advocate?
If you have any questions about being in care or working with a child and family services agency you can call us. It’s our job to help you.
What do you need help with?
What have you tried so far?
How do you want us to help?
You may be nervous or afraid to call us, but each year hundreds of people call us asking for help. No one has to know you called. If you need help calling us ask someone you trust to call for you. If you are in a foster home, group home or placed outside your home by a child and family service agency you have the right to contact the Office of the Children’s Advocate.
Always remember that when a decision is being made about you, you have a right to say what you think, be listened to and be a part of making that decision.
If you don’t agree with a decision, or feel that your views weren’t taken seriously, you have a right to be heard. You also have the right to have someone you trust help you say what you need to say.
Are you a child or youth?
You have the right to:
What a children’s advocate cannot do
An advocate cannot promise that you will get what you want, but we can help to make sure you are heard and taken seriously. We cannot make decisions about your life or tell your social worker, foster parent or parents what to do. We can try to help you find a solution and/or make recommendations to those in positions of authority inside the agencies or government if what you want or need is in your best interests.
When should I talk to a children’s advocate?
If you have any questions about being in care or working with a child and family services agency you can call us. It’s our job to help you.
You may be nervous or afraid to call us, but each year hundreds of people call us asking for help. No one has to know you called. If you need help calling us ask someone you trust to call for you. If you are in a foster home, group home or placed outside your home by a child and family service agency you have the right to contact the Office of the Children’s Advocate.
Always remember that when a decision is being made about you, you have a right to say what you think, be listened to and be a part of making that decision.
If you don’t agree with a decision, or feel that your views weren’t taken seriously, you have a right to be heard. You also have the right to have someone you trust help you say what you need to say.
Questions?
Visit our “Got a question?” page to see other common questions.