Children’s Home Society of Minnesota and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota celebrated today the completion of the merger of the two organizations, marking a significant milestone in a longstanding partnership. The finalized merger strengthens operational efficiency and sustainability while preserving the shared commitment of both organizations to ensuring that the best interests of each child remain central to their work.
Children’s Home & LSS, LLC is now formally registered as a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and all staff will continue in their current roles within adoption and foster care services. All programs and service offerings will remain unchanged through this transition.
The partnership between Children’s Home and LSS began in 2012, when the two organizations combined administration of their complementary adoption services. Due to the success of this agreement, the two organizations deepened their relationship through an affiliation agreement in 2014.
“Over a decade of working together, with one shared mission, have brought us to this moment” said Heidi Wiste, President of Children’s Home. “By fully coming together today, we’re honoring our shared history while positioning our teams — and the children and families we serve—for a stronger, and more impactful future as one united organization.
Last year, the organizations provided foster care and adoption services, information, training, and support to 6,933 individuals. Among those served were children and youth supported by licensed foster families, children placed with permanent families through domestic and international adoption and thousands of individuals who received post adoption support.
With a combined legacy dating back to 1865 for LSS and 1889 for Children’s Home, the unified organization brings together more than three centuries of collective expertise. This merger strengthens a shared mission, ensuring continuity of care while expanding capacity to serve families with compassion, integrity and long‑standing experience.
