Know Your Rights in
Group Homes
Office of the Youth Ombudsperson (OYO)
Overview
1. Land Acknowledgement
2. Who are we?
3. What is an Ombudsperson?
4. What is the History of the OYO?
5. What is the Role of the OYO?
6. What is the OYO's Scope &
Investigation Process?
7. Overview of Your Rights in Group
Homes
8. Provider Duties and Responsibilities
9. How can you Make a Complaint?
10. Survey
Land Acknowledgement
For centuries, the land now known as Philadelphia was home to and cared for by native peoples.
These include the Lenni-Lenape People of Lenapehoking and the Poutaxat (Delaware Bay). We
recognize these Tribes’ strength and history of resistance to colonization.
We commit to honoring their history, presence, and future. We support local Native
people, including:
The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation
The Ramapough Lenape Nation
The Powhatan Renape Nation
The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware
The Lenape of Cheswold Delaware, and more
Who are we?
❑ Tracie Johnson – Youth Ombudsperson
❑ Gabi Haeuber – Associate Youth Ombudsperson
❑ Ciara Sheerin – Associate Youth Ombudsperson
The City of Philadelphia uses the term "Ombudsperson" or
"Ombuds" interchangeably as a gender-neutral alternative to
the original term.
Ombudsman = "representative" in Swedish
What is the
Role of the
OYO?
What is the Role of the OYO?
1. Independently oversee investigations regarding complaints about group homes
2. Conduct Know Your Rights trainings for youth in group homes
3. Administer surveys to youth in group homes to determine service complaints
4. Collect and analyze data on demographic disparities
Our office is completely independent from DHS and DBHIDS.
Steps of an Investigation
What Do You Think are
Some of Your Rights?
In general? In a group home?
GAME: True & False Scenarios
You have the right to...
1. …get three meals and one snack a day, but ONLY if you have very good
behavior.
2. …know why you're at your group home and how long you can expect to be there.
3. …academic lessons and work that match your skill and are right for your age.
4. …always eat dessert after dinner.
5. …practice the religion or faith of your choice, if you want to.
Overview of
Your Rights in
Group Homes
GAME: Is This A Rights Violation?
Listen to the following scenarios and determine if it's a potential rights violation:
Is This A Rights Violation?
#1.
A youth has just been placed at a new group
home, but a decision hasn't been made about
where they will attend school. Staff tell them
they will just stay home until a decision has
been made.
ANSWER:
Yes!
You must be signed up and start classes right
away if you change schools.
Is This A Rights Violation?
#2.
A youth in a group home is experiencing an
emergency medical issue. Staff determine
that they can't treat the issue on site, so they
bring the youth to an outside facility for
treatment.
ANSWER:
No!
You have the right to get appropriate medical,
dental, mental and behavioral health services
to help you stay healthy.
Is This A Rights Violation?
#3
A youth in a group home asks a staff member
to purchase a shampoo and conditioner that is
specific to their hair type. The staff member
tells them no and that they must use the
existing products in the bathroom, which are
not specific to the youth’s hair type.
ANSWER:
Yes!
You must have personal care and hygiene
items. This includes products that you need for
your gender identity, sexual orientation, or
ethnicity.
Did you know that the staff at your
group home has certain
responsibilities?
They must...
Now that you know
what the provider
responsibilities are...
How can you use this
knowledge to hold your
provider accountable?
Who else can you reach out to for help?
https://www.phila.gov/media/20210805123954/Full
-Youth-Rights-Guide-%E2%80%93
-Printer
-spread
-%E2%80%93
-English.pdf
Questions?
Survey
Important Notes:
• Participation is optional
• Name is optional
• If rights violations are reported, we must inform the city agency in charge of the group home
• If abuse/neglect is reported, we must make a Childline Report
• Group homes ARE NOT allowed to retaliate against youth who file a complaint or grievance. If
any staff were to retaliate, an investigation would be immediately opened into the facility
Purpose: To collect information about service complaints in group
homes, hear directly from youth in group homes about their experiences,
and ensure that youth rights are being maintained in group homes
Questions about the survey?
Resources
❖ This Know Your Rights presentation was based on The City of Philadelphia's Youth Rights Guide
at https://www.phila.gov/media/20210805123956/Full-Youth-Rights-Guide-%E2%80%93-Single-page-%E2%80%93-English.pdf
❖ There is also a Family Rights Guide at https://www.phila.gov/media/20210805123947/Family-Rights-Guide-%E2%80%93-Single-page-
%E2%80%93-English.pdf
❖ For more information, see:
o 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3800 at https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter3800/055_3800.pdf
o Regulatory Compliance Guide on 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3800 at https://www.dhs.pa.gov/providers/Clearances-and-
Licensing/Documents/Child%20Youth%20Residential%20Licensing/p_023326.pdf
o Guidance on Minors’ Access to Confidential Health Care in Pennsylvania at https://www.aclupa.org/en/reference-card-minors-access-
confidential-health-care-pennsylvania
o OMHSAS Bulletin - 18-01 “Consent to mental health treatment for minor children” June 29, 2018 at https://tinyurl.com/mentalhealthconsent1801
o Child and Adolescent Inpatient Performance Standards at https://dbhids.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/CAIP-PS-FINAL-for-PROVIDERS.pdf
o Philadelphia Department of Human Services Congregate Care Scope at https://www.phila.gov/media/20201112150033/Congregate-Care-
Scope.pdf
o JLC Court Cards at https://jlc.org/resources/youth-empowerment-card-youth-rights-pa-courts
o JLC Know Your Rights Guide at https://jlc.org/resources/know-your-rights-guide-introduction
