Know Your Rights

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Health

Abortion

  • You have the right to receive confidential health services.
  • You have the right to obtain an abortion without consent from your parents or guardians.
  • You have a right to a public funded abortion in the case of life endangerment, rape and incest.

 

Condoms

  • You have the right to receive confidential health services.
  • You have the right to receive condoms from youth and adult Wrap-Mcs at your DC public high school.
  • You have the right to distribute condoms and other safe sex materials at your DC public high school (after you pass a brief test).

 

Contraception

  • You have the right to receive confidential health services.
  • You have the right to obtain birth control, also known as contraceptives, without consent from your parents or guardians.
  • Minors have the right to receive contraceptives at no-cost.
  • You have the right to purchase progestin-only emergency contraception (Plan B One Step and its generics) without showing ID. Even though the package direction for generics say that it’s intended for use by women ages 17 or older, The Emergency Contraception Website

 

    Mental and Emotional Health

    • You have the right to consent for mental health services. A provider may deliver outpatient mental health services and mental health supports other than medication to a minor who is voluntarily seeking such services without parental or guardian consent; however, services provided without parental consent are limited to 90 days. DC Code § 7-1231.14
    • You have the right to not release your records to your parent or legal guardian. When a client is under the age of 18, but beyond the age of 14, disclosures which require authorization may only be authorized by the joint written authorization of the client and the client’s parent or legal guardian. D.C. Code § 17.1202.05
    • You have the right to access to mental health services and mental health supports free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, language, culture, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income and place of residence. D.C. Code § 7-1231.04
    • You have the right to freedom to engage in or abstain from the practice of religion, and freedom from harassment aimed at encouraging the consumer to engage in the religious practices of the provider or other consumers. D.C. Code § 7-1231.04
    • Beginning at least one year before a consumer transitions into the system of care for adults, or sooner if required under applicable law such as IDEA, a youth’s Individual Place of Care shall be revised to include a statement regarding the needed transition services for the youth, including, if appropriate, a statement of the interagency responsibilities or any needed linkages with other services and support. DC Code § 7-1231.05

     

    School Food

    • You have the right to whole, primarily unprocessed, high-quality, natural foods which are prepared and presented in an appetizing manner at your DC public school.
    • Low income students have the right to free or reduced-price lunch.
    • You have the right to give input about your school lunch quality.
    • You have the right to request special foods if you have special dietary needs (like food intolerances, allergies)

     

    Sexual Assault

    • Sexual assault victims have the right to have a sexual assault victim advocate present at any medical, evidentiary, or physical examination and interview with law enforcement, prosecutors, or defense attorneys. - Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights Amendment Act of 2013
    • Sexual assault victims have the right to information about their rape kits and all forensic examination kits shall be processed by the Metropolitan Police Department in a timely manner, at a maximum 90 days from the date the evidence was collected from a victim of alleged sexual assault.–
    • Sexual assault victims have the right not to be billed for a sexual assault forensic examination kit or for the kit itself. –Sexual Assault Victims’ Rights Amendment Act of 2013
    • You have the right to say “no” to any sexual act at any time if you do not want to do it.

    Sexual Harassment

    • You have the right to report someone who is harassing you on public transportation or, does something to make you fear for your safety in any public space.
    • If you are under the age of 18 years old, you have the right to report a street harasser who solicits you for sexual activity or attempts to persuade you to go somewhere with him or her.
    • If a street harasser photographs or records you while you are using a restroom, undressed or engaging in sexual activity, you can report him/her.
    • If a street harasser exposes him or herself to you or flashes you, masturbates in front of you, or does any other sexual act in public, you can report him/ her.
    • If you think someone is following you, you can call 911 right away, the first time it happens. You do not have to wait for that person to commit a crime.

     

    STIs

    • You have the right to obtain STI tests without consent from your parents or guardians
    • You have the right to obtain a confidential STI test from your School Based Health Center (if applicable)
    • You have the right to treatment for STIs and HIV without parental/guardian permission.
    Education

    At-Risk Students

    • At-Risk DC students’ schools will receive extra money in order to fun extra educational services and resources for these students.
    • If your family is low-income, your school has the responsibility to provide free lunch to you.

    Education

    • You have the right to free public education.
    • You have the right to equal educational opportunity no matter what race, ethnic background, religion, or sex.
    • You have the right to equal educational opportunity no matter whether you are rich or poor, citizen or non-citizen.
    • You have the right to go to public school even if you are undocumented.

    Health Education

    • You have the right to free public education.
    • You have the right to health education in DCPS public and public charter schools.
    • If you are a K-12 student in Wards 7 and 8, you have the right to violence prevention education.
    • If you attend a school with at least 50% of the student population, you have the right to oral health (dental) education.
    • You have the right to request health and sexuality education delivered by the Department of Health. More information here.  
    Foster Care

    Basic Treatment Rights

    • You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect at all times.
    • You have the right to be not be abused, mistreated, threatened with harm, harassed, subjected to corporal punishment (spanked, beaten, or otherwise disciplined physically) or other unusual or extreme methods of discipline.
    • You have the right to not be subjected to discrimination as provided in the DC Human Rights Act of 1977
    • You have the right to receive language translation in accordance with the Language Access Act of 2004

    Clothing

    • You have the right to have your own adequate and appropriate seasonal clothing and good wear including uniforms and professional clothing for school and employment.
    • You have the right to provide input into the choice of clothing (depends on age and developmental level)
    • You (living in a foster home or group home) have the right to a monthly clothing allowance in the amount of $83.34 a month (ages 15-21)
    • You have the right to an annual back-to-school clothing allowance on or before August 31st.

    Documentation

    • You have the rights to receive a copy of your social security card, government identification, birth certificate immunization records, medical insurance information, health records and immigration documents at least 30 days before leaving care. If you are under 18 then your GAL and guardian will receive a copy of the items.

    Education:

    • You have the right to remain in the school that you were attending when you entered foster care unless it is not in your best interest
    • You have the right to a free and appropriate free education for elementary, middle and high school
    • You have the right to participate in afterschool enrichment activities such as clubs, sports or performing arts
    • You have the right to receive support to succeed in high school in college such as tutoring, mentoring or special enrichment programming
    • You have the right to receive help researching, applying to and enrolling in college.
    • You have the right to receive financial support for college through the ETV program.
    • You have the right to receive support searching for and applying for scholarships to pay for college expenses.    
    • If you are attending college part-time or full-time are eligible to receive assistance purchasing a laptop.

    Employment:

    • If you are 18 and over you have the right to receive assistance finding jobs and vocational training programs from the Career Pathway Unit.
    • You have the right to receive support preparing for employing
    • If you are 15-17 you have the right to receive assistance from the Office of Wellbeing exploring careers and vocational training opportunities.

    Family Contact

    • You have the right to not be denied the opportunity to have visits, telephone calls, or mail contact with your family members.
    • You have the right to have visit and communicate with your parents and siblings consistent with applicable court orders.
    • You have the right to reasonable visits and communication with other relatives and friends consistent with applicable court orders and if deemed clinically (social worker or therapist approved) and age appropriate.
    • You have the right to have opportunities for continued connections with your family and others with whom you have meaningful relationships unless the connections is harmful to your safety or prohibited by a court order.

    Financial

    • You have the right to assistance opening an individual interest bearing savings account in a financial institution that is federally insured, as appropriate and consistent with your age and level of development.
    • You have the right to receive a copy of your consumer credit report annually at age 16 and assistance in interpreting what is on it. You also have the right to assistance with resolving any inaccuracies in your credit report

    Food

    • You have the right to receive adequate and healthy food in accordance with your religious beliefs and reasonable dietary preferences including vegetarianism, or medically prescribed dietary requirements.

    Legal Representation

    • You have the right to be represented by a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) who will advocate for your best interests
    • You have the right request the court to appoint an attorney to represent your own interest.
    • Your parents might have been appointed an Educational Advocate who will assist them with making decisions related to your education.
    • You have the right to receive timely notice of hearings.
    • You have the right to voice your opinion when you are at your court hearings.
    • You have the right to have the contact information of your attorney, attorney and court-appointed special advocate.

    Medical

    • You have the right to timely, adequate and appropriate medical, dental, vision, mental health services, and drug and alcohol abuse and addiction services.
    • You have the right to have information and the opportunity communicate a preference or concern regarding treatment, medication and medication options--consistent with your age and development.

    Personal Allowance

    • You (living in foster home or group home) have the right to a $100 monthly allowance.
    • You have the right to not be forced to use your personal allowance for your basic necessities such as toiletries, medicine, or essential clothing items.
    • You have the right to not have your allowance deducted for minor infractions such as cursing or not cleaning your room.
    • You should receive your allowance as long as you do not have: unexcused absences or excessive lateness to school, new involvement in the juvenile justice or penal system, curfew violations and abscondence, or inappropriate use of past allowance funds within the past 30 days. You might be required to attending financial training workshops.

    Personal Care & Hygiene

    • You have the right to your own personal hygiene items
    • You (foster home/group home) have the right to be provided your own personal hygiene items--you should not have use your personal allowance to purchase these items.

    Placement

    • You have a right to live in a foster home/group home/ILP that is safe, clean and where reasonable measures are being taken to be free of rodents and insects.
    • You have the right to be placed with your siblings if space is available and allowed by the court.
    • You have the right to be bring your personal belongings with you when you enter foster care and when you change placements.
    • You have the right to be fully integrated into household and family activities that are appropriate with your age and development level.
    • You have the right to have privileges and responsibilities that correspond with the other children living in the foster home and consistent with your age and development level.
    • You have the right to be provided with opportunities to participate in age appropriate independent living activities and programs

    Privacy

    • You have the right to have your records and personal information kept confidential and disclosed only with accordance with law.
    • To have reasonable privacy with respect to your property and when using the phone and computer. 

    Religion

    • You have the right to receive reasonable accommodation to attend religious services, events and activities of your choice.
    • You have the right to not be forced to attending religious services, activities and events that are against your beliefs.

    Transition Planning

    • You have the right to participate in the development of your service and transition plan that includes and addresses options related to housing, health insurance, education, employment, etc.
    Employment

    Treatment at Work

    • You have the right to not be discriminated against or harassed in the workplace based on your race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
    • You have the right to a workplace free from sexual harassment.
    • You have the right to a workplace free from bullying and intimidation.

    Wages & Compensation

    • You have the right to be compensated according to applicable wage laws for work that you do.
    • You have the right to a written paystub for all work that you do that includes your hourly rate, number of hours worked, work period, employers contact information and any itemized deductions.
    • During the MBSYEP program you have a right to a thirty-minute lunch break if you work more than six hours.

     
     
     

    Civic Engagement

    Civic Engagement Rights

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