Bill of Rights for Foster Children
Ratified in Congress Hall, Philadelphia Saturday, the Twenty-eighth of April, Nineteen hundred and seventy three
EVEN more than for other children, society has a responsibility along with parents for the well-being of foster children. Citizens are responsible for acting to insure their welfare.
EVERY foster child is endowed with the rights inherently belonging to all children. In addition, because of the temporary or permanent separation from and loss of parents and other family members, the foster child requires special safeguards,resources, and care.
EVERY FOSTER CHILD HAS THE INHERENT RIGHT:
- Article the first...
- To be cherished by a family of his own, either his family helped by readily available services and supports to reassume his care, or an adoptive family or by plan, a continuing foster family
- Article the second...
- To be nurtured by foster parents who have been selected to meet his individual needs, and who are provided services and supports, including specialized education, so that they can grow in their ability to enable the child to reach his potential.
- Article the third...
- To receive sensitive, continuing help in understanding and accepting the reasons for his own family's inability to take care of him, and in developing confidence in his own self-worth.
- Article the fourth...
- To receive continuing loving care and respect as a unique human being ....a child growing in trust in himself and others.
- Article the fifth...
- To grow up in freedom and dignity in a neighborhood of people who accept him with understanding, respect and friendship.
- Article the sixth...
- To receive help in overcoming deprivation or whatever distortion in his emotional, physical, intellectual, social and spiritual growth may have resulted from his early experiences.
- Article the seventh...
- To receive education, training, and career guidance to prepare him for a useful and satisfying life.
- Article the eighth...
- To receive preparation for citizenship and parenthood through interaction with foster parents and other adults who are consistent role models
- Article the ninth...
- To be represented by an attorney at law in administrative or judicial proceedings with access to fair hearings and court review of decisions, so that his best interests are safeguarded.
- Article the tenth...
- To receive a high quality of child welfare services, including involvement of the natural parents and his own involvement in major decisions that affect his life.
