CHLSS

  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Menu
  • Adoption
    • DI Uber 2.1Infant Adoption
    • A father and son created through foster care adoption embrace.Foster Care Adoption
    • Young girl from China smiles at the camera.International Adoption
    • Close
  • Foster Care
    • Three siblings in foster care smile in the part with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders.Foster Care
    • An African American single woman wraps her arms around two brothers she adopted from foster care.Foster Care Adoption
    • Close
  • Pregnancy Services
    • Birth parents and adoptive parents smile with son.Open Adoption
    • parenting2Parenting
    • A father holds a football for his infant child.Birth Fathers
    • Happy woman and man waiting to adopt a child.Waiting Family Profiles
    • Close
  • Post Adoption
    • Domestic Post Adoption ServicesDomestic Post Adoption
    • International Post Adoption ServicesInternational Post Adoption
    • Post Adoption ResourcesPost Adoption Resources
    • A teen boy who was adopted from Korea as an infant smiles against a stone wall.Post Placement Reports
    • Close
  • Education & Events
    • An Ethiopian adoptee and her sister smile and hug.Education & Events Calendar
    • A woman attends a webinar.Recorded Webinars
    • Close
  • About Us
    • Mission & History
    • Leadership
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Login
Family with two parents and four teenagers
Home / Adoption / Foster Care Adoption

Foster Care Adoption

Helping Youth in Foster Care Find Safe, Permanent Homes With Minnesota Families

African American young woman and boyOur foster care adoption program serves children under Minnesota state guardianship or tribal jurisdiction. The goal of this program is permanency through adoption. There is a strong need for families open to sibling groups, school-age children, and teens.

Using CH/LSS to adopt from MN Foster Care is virtually free, the vast majority of costs are paid for through a contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). If you are not open to children covered under this contract, fees may apply.

Ready to take the first step? Register for a Foster Care & Adoption Orientation or Two-Day Foster Care & Adoption Class.

7 Foster Care Adoption Myths, Debunked

Free 45-Minute Webinar

In this free webinar, we dispel common myths about foster care adoption, including the costs of adopting, the services and support available to families and children after adoption, misconceptions about children’s desires to be adopted, behavioral concerns, and the amount of guidance children will need.

Watch the Webinar Here

Family with four brothers holds letters spelling out FamilyThe Children Awaiting Adoption

Children waiting for adoption from MN foster care have been removed from the homes of their biological families and have been placed under the care and supervision of the state. As a result of these experiences, children will likely have experienced trauma, abuse, and/or neglect. The children may have emotional, behavioral, and/or academic needs. According to MN DHS, 59% of children awaiting adoption are part of a sibling group that needs to be placed together. Many children have other loved ones with whom they need to maintain connections.

Children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are served in this program. There is a particular need for families open to parenting children ages 10-18, and sibling groups of all ages who need to remain together. Over half the children waiting for adoption are children of color. As of October 2022, there are 569 children in Minnesota in need of adoptive families immediately. Read the complete DHS Fact Sheet, Adoption: Finding Families for Minnesota’s Waiting Children.

Three Native American girls smile and pose for the cameraMeet Children Waiting in Foster Care

There are a number of ways to learn more about children currently waiting for adoption from Minnesota foster care. You can visit our online listing and filter to the region “Minnesota.” Children’s Home is advocating for these children through our child-specific recruitment services.

Additionally, some of our partners post information about Minnesota’s waiting children. We encourage you to check out the MN Adopt State Adoption Exchange and Hennepin County Listing.

Note that you may inquire about a child or sibling group at any time, however, you may need to complete steps in the foster care adoption process prior to officially matching with a child. It is our hope that children will find permanency as quickly as possible and therefore the waiting children you see may not be available once you have come through the process and completed your adoption home study.

View Waiting Children’s Profiles on Our Website

Foster Care Adoption Process

Orientation

There are two steps you must complete to start your process of adopting from foster care: a two-hour orientation and two-day classes. Many families find it helpful to attend the orientation first because it provides an overview of the process and addresses details such as children served, timelines, licensing requirements, etc. Orientations are held twice monthly via webinar. We anticipate in-person orientation options to resume in 2023.

Register for a Foster Care & Adoption Orientation

Education

Another early step to adopting from foster care is attending our two-day Foster Care & Adoption Education Classes. These classes will familiarize you with the children waiting to be adopted, the needs they commonly have, and the adoption process. You will also have the opportunity to listen to panels of adoptive parents and waiting or adopted teens.

Topics covered include:

  • Overview of the Child Welfare System
  • Impact of prenatal drug/alcohol exposure
  • Grief, loss & separation
  • Trauma, abuse & neglect
  • Mental health needs
  • Attachment
  • Cross-cultural & transracial parenting
  • Permanency needs of older youth
  • Concurrent planning
  • Experiences of foster parents
  • Experiences of birth parents
  • Visitation & maintaining connections
Register for a Foster Care & Adoption Education Class

You will continue your education as you go through the foster care adoption process. We’ve compiled a number of education resources, both mandatory and optional, on our site for your reference.

Find Educational Resources to Prepare Yourself for Foster Care Adoption

Application

Once you’ve attended the Foster Care Adoption Orientation and Foster Care & Adoption Two-Day Class, you may complete your application (broken into three parts: Application Part 1, Application Part 2, and DHS Application Documents).  Our staff will assist you with the application process, letting you know what documents are required of which household members.

Background Checks

As you work on your application, anyone pursuing foster care or adoption will also need to complete the appropriate background checks. Possessing a criminal record does not automatically disqualify someone from adopting from foster care. Please contact us if you have questions about your particular circumstances.

Home Study

The home study includes several meetings with your social worker and a visit to your home. A comprehensive document is created by your social worker, which includes information about your motivation to adopt, your health, home, personal history, familial lifestyle, interests, parenting style, income, and the type of child you are open to parenting. Once you are assigned to a social worker, the home study process takes about 3-4 months to complete.

Note, we are currently experiencing a 1-2 month wait to be assigned to an adoption worker to begin the home study.

Foster Care Licensing

You will need to become a licensed foster home as part of your adoption process. This allows the child(ren) to live in your home prior to the adoption being finalized in court. You will be licensed for the purpose of adoption and you may choose to cancel your license once your adoption is finalized. If you are planning to adopt a child under the age of 9, additional state-mandated training is required.

The Matching Process

This part of the process allows you to learn about the needs and characteristics of a particular child or sibling group in the foster care system. Your social worker will work with you on exploring the strengths of your family and discuss how you might best meet the needs of that child or children. To help in your decision-making process, you will have the opportunity to meet with the child’s social worker and other significant people in his or her life (such as foster parents, therapists, etc.). The child’s county social worker represents him or her in the matching process. All placement decisions are made in the best interest of the child.

Once everyone involved has made a commitment to proceed with the adoption process, pre-placement visits begin. The length and frequency of these visits depend on the age and needs of the child or children being placed.

Placement & Finalization

Placement occurs when the child moves into your home. Your social worker will remain in regular contact with you to support you during this adjustment period. We also encourage you to participate in our ongoing support services.

When you are ready to finalize, your social worker will give you the information you need to complete the legal adoption process where you live.

Post Adoption Support

Because adoption is a lifelong journey, you are encouraged to participate in ongoing education, support, and referral services through our Post Adoption Services.

Relative & Kinship Adoption

We strongly believe that whenever possible children should remain within their family or community of origin. It can be overwhelming to unexpectedly care for children who you care about. The system can be difficult to navigate. We are here to help provide kinship and relative services based on your unique situation.

 

Contact Us to Learn About Our Relative/Kinship Support Services
Foster Care

Foster Care differs from Foster Care Adoption. We are able to license you for either, or both.

The goal of foster care is reunification, families open to providing foster care must be open to supporting reunification efforts.

Visit Our Foster Care Page to Learn More

Family Support Coach for Placed Families

A Service for Foster & Adoptive Families Who Need Additional Support

We offer personalized services for your entire family. Our coach will meet with you and your family to provide individualized parent coaching and help identify and access resources you may need. The service includes an initial phone consultation and up to three sessions either virtual or in-person (Twin Cities Metro). Ongoing “tune-up” sessions are available as needed.

As part of this service,  your coach will help you:

  • Increase positive interactions with your family
  • Initiate & strengthen relationships with schools, therapists, community & other professionals
  • Advocate for the needs of your family & your child(ren)
  • Develop strategies that you can use on an ongoing bases

We focus on supporting every member of your family – this is not about how you got to your current situation, but rather what you all need to build a positive, loving future together. Your family will collaborate with your coach to create mutually agreed upon goals and receive tools to be successful.

Family Support Coach Services

Please note, this is not a crisis service for emergency situations. In the case of an emergency, please contact 911 or utilize crisis mental health services.

Eligibility

Our Family Support Coach service is open to all foster or adoptive families, regardless of licensing or placing agency.

Availability may become limited, our Family Support Coach will notify you about any anticipated wait for service.

Service Fees

  • $350 for up to 3 sessions
  • $100 per additional session

If fees are a barrier, please contact our Adoption Support Fund for a grant application.

Register My Family for Services

African American moms with three childrenSupport Groups for Foster Care & Adoptive Families

We welcome you to join other families to learn from and support one another.

Staff-Led Groups: For families who have children from the foster care system placed in their home for foster care or adoption AND families who have a home study approved. This group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. RSVP to [email protected].

Serving All Families

We are dedicated to serving diverse families. Our foster care adoption program is open to individuals and families regardless of marital status, sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, religion, or race.

Adoption by Single Parents Adoption by LGBTQ Parents

get-started

FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPrintFriendly

Meet Waiting Children

View Children

Help a Child Thrive

Contribute Today

Main Office

1605 Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.646.7771
800.952.9302
[email protected]

Maryland Office

15800 Crabbs Branch Way Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20855
301.562.6500
[email protected]

Virginia Office

4101 Chain Bridge Road Suite 301
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.214.5533
[email protected]

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Charities Review Council
Standards_Seal_BLACK_WEB
Charities Review Council Seal 2022
coa-logo
NCFA Member Seal_
IAAME
Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Approval
Human Rights Campaign seal

© 2023 Children's Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. All Rights Reserved.

Terms & Conditions Privacy policy Developed by Vivid Image Staff Login