Each child shall have personal rights which include the following:
- To be treated with respect.
- To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse, or other actions of a punitive nature, including but not limited to: interference with the daily living functions, including eating, sleeping, or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication, or aids to physical functioning.
- To be informed, and to have the county worker informed, or the provisions of law regarding complaints including the address and telephone number of the complaint receiving unit of the licensing agency, and of information regarding confidentiality.
- To be free to attend religions services or activities of his/her choice and to have visits with a spiritual advisor of his/her choice. Attendance at religious services shall be on a voluntary basis.
- Not to be locked in any room, building, or facility premises by day or night. The licensee shall not be prohibited from locking exterior doors and windows or from establishing house rules for the protection of clients provided the clients are able to exit the facility.
- Not to be placed in any restraining device. This includes using arms to restrain or hold back a child, unless it is to prevent the child from an accident (e.g. traffic, falling, etc.).
- To have visitors by mutual agreement between the resource parent and the visitors.
- To wear his/her own clothes.
- To possess and control his/her own cash resources, unless otherwise agreed to in the child’s needs and services plan and by the child’s county worker.
- To have access to individual storage space for his/her private use.
- To have access to telephones, both to make and receive confidential calls, provided that such calls are not prohibited by court order, or by the county worker, or are not prohibited as a form of discipline. Such use shall not infringe upon the rights of others nor tie up the telephone during emergencies. The child must be allowed to call the family social worker, county worker, Court Appointed Special Advocate, or their attorney. Access to these people cannot be denied as a discipline measure. Foster parent may impose reasonable phone limits, per consultation with agency social worker and/or county social worker.