DHS Rights Letter

DHS Rights Letter

(Place on Philadelphia DHS Letterhead)

Dear Parent of Child in Placement:

Please be advised that the enclosed letter details and explains services that you may be able to receive while your children are in placement with DHS. Some of these services may not be available if they are not appropriate in your case. Please also be advised that DHS may not provide all of these services directly and that the O’Dell consent decree does not automatically entitle you to all listed services.

Sincerely,

Philadelphia Department of Human Services

CC 2:7A

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Rev. 11/01

(Place on Philadelphia DHS Letterhead)

(Date)

(Birth Parent)

(Address)

(City, State ZIP)

NOTICE OF YOUR RIGHT TO SERVICES TO HELP YOUR FAMILY

Dear (Birth Parent),

At the Family Service Plan (review) meeting, which is being held on (Date to be determined), we will be talking about the services that could help to have your child returned home as soon as possible. The family service plan could include any services that can help to deal with the problem that led to your child’s placement in foster care or help you to have your child returned home. You have the right to the following services if they will help in your case:

·  day care;

·  homemaker or caretaker service including emergency availability to provide care, in your home for short periods when you cannot provide it;

·  services provided to children in their own homes (SCOH) (counseling and help in meeting your family’s needs);

·  review of your case by a team of experts;

·  emergency services which help a child to remain at home in an emergency;

·  emergency shelter for your family;

·  financial help and other assistances in obtaining housing for when a child returns home;

CC 2:7A

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·  placement of a child with a friend or relative if their home is adequate;

·  visitation between parents and children on a weekly basis, including weekend and overnight visits;

·  money or other assistance necessary for overnight and weekend visits;

·  placement of children with their brothers and sisters who are not placed together in foster care; and

·  participation of parents in all family services plan meetings and reviews.

If you have any questions about any of these services, you can ask your caseworker, his or her supervisor, or your attorney.

At the Family Service Plan (review) meeting, you can ask for any service that you think could help your family. If there is a disagreement over the services to include in the service plan, you will receive a notice explaining how you can appeal the terms of the family service plan and the refusal to provide the services you want.

The Philadelphia Department of Human Services’ selection of a faith-based provider of social services is not an endorsement of the provider’s religious character, practices or beliefs. No provider of social services may discriminate against you on the basis of religion, a religious belief, or your refusal to actively participate in a religious practice.

______

Parent’s Signature Date

CC 2:7A

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