CALIFORNIA
Who to Call About Medi-Cal and Foster Youth Services
These statewide numbers and official pages are free to use. They can answer questions about coverage, applications, and your rights in foster care anywhere in California.
Medi-Cal general information
California Department of Health Care Services
Questions about Medi-Cal coverage, your card, or your case. Outside California: (916) 636-1980.
Former Foster Youth Medi-Cal program
California Department of Health Care Services
The official program page explaining free Medi-Cal until age 26 for young adults who were in foster care at 18 or older.
County Medi-Cal offices
Your county social services agency
Your county handles applications and decides eligibility. Find the office that serves where you live.
Problems with a Medi-Cal health plan
Medi-Cal Managed Care Office of the Ombudsman
Free help if your plan denies care, you cannot get an appointment, or you are having trouble with covered services. Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm.
Foster youth rights and complaints
California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson
Free, confidential help with foster youth rights, care, placement, and services. Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm.
Family Urgent Response System (24/7)
California Department of Social Services
Free, around-the-clock support for current and former foster youth and their caregivers in a hard moment.
Send us a question
Help Foster Youth is a directory — we cannot decide eligibility or look up your case. If you are stuck, tell us what you are trying to find and we will point you to the right place.
Help Foster Youth is a directory. We do not decide eligibility, process applications, or speak for any state or county office. Phone numbers and pages above were checked against official California sources in September 2026.