Become a Foster Parent in Minnesota

A person who: 

• Is single, married, divorced, or partnered. 
• Has or does not have children.  
• Owns or rents their home.  
• Is age 21 or older. 

Foster parents are as varied as the kids needing care! Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (CH/LSS) is a welcoming organization offering services and support to all people.

1. Applications: You can complete the free Application Part 1 any time you are ready. This helps us get to know you better and build your record. Application Part 2 contains more paperwork specific to Foster Care and paperwork to complete required background checks. Please note: possessing a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from being a foster parent. Contact us with any specific questions. 
2. Education & Training: This can begin any time! You will need to complete our Foster Care Adoption Session and Foster Care Adoption Education Classes prior to completion of Application Part 2. Additional free trainings and supports will be available throughout your foster journey. 
3. Home Study: After completion of Application Part 2 you will be assigned to a worker who will be your main CH/LSS contact throughout the remainder of your process. During the home study process, you will have several visits with your assigned worker and a visit to your home. Your worker will create a comprehensive document that includes information such as: your motivation to foster or adopt, your health, home, personal history, familial lifestyle, interests, and the type of child you are open to parenting. This process typically takes 3-4 months to complete. 
4. Licensing: Once your home study is complete, your home will be licensed to provide foster care. 
5. Placement: This is the term for a child entering your home for care. Foster care placements may last a short time or be more long-term depending on which type of care you are providing and each child’s situation. When a child is placed in your home, you should expect ongoing birth family reunification efforts. 
6. Permanency: This can look different depending on each child’s situation. For some, this will mean reunification with the birth family, for others it may mean placement with relatives or kin. Others may find permanency through adoption, after a termination of parental rights.  

Get Started

Here at CH/LSS we can license you to provide care through a variety of ways. You may be open to one or more, this will be discussed in more detail during the home study process and can be revisited later in your journey. Sometimes a placement may start as one type and evolve to another over time. 

• Traditional Foster Care: Placements vary in length, need, urgency and outcome.  
• Emergency Shelter Care: Short-term, immediate placements that can happen any time of day or night. These placements are typically shorter-term than traditional foster care.  
• Respite: Short-term (such as several hours, overnight or weekend), generally pre-arranged care for kids experiencing foster care or who were adopted from foster care.  
• Treatment Foster Care: Placements vary in length and outcome but require a higher level of care. To be licensed as a Treatment Foster Home, you must have provided Traditional Foster Care for 2 years and meet additional training requirements. 
• Host Homes: In coordination with LSS’s Host Homes, we can license caregivers who are providing support to youth with 245D waivered services.  

Yes! We can assist Minnesota residents to adopt from Minnesota foster care. Adoption from foster care can occur only after unsuccessful reunification efforts, and the termination of parental rights. You can be open to either providing foster care, or adoption, or both. If you are interested exclusively in adopting, please visit our Foster Care Adoption services. 

Children of all ages and backgrounds can experience foster care. According to the MN Department of Human Services, the three most common reasons why children are removed from parental care in Minnesota are: caretaker drug abuse (27%), allegations of neglect (14%), allegations of physical abuse (11%), child psychological or emotional health (9%); read the full MN DHS Fact Sheet.  

While every child and situation is unique, the children experiencing foster care in Minnesota may have shared needs and characteristics including: 

• Experience of emotional injury, abuse, neglect, grief, loss and disrupted attachments with caregivers. 
• Behavioral, emotional and psychological health needs. 
• A need for mentorship and guidance in building life skills, independence and creating healthy relationships as they launch into adulthood. 

Through our Child-Specific Recruitment Services we help advocate for children awaiting adoption from foster care.  

Learn More About Kids Who Wait

You can work with either a public (county) or private (agency, CH/LSS) provider to become foster care licensed. When CH/LSS licenses a foster home, we work cooperatively with counties for the matching/referral and placement of children. In Minnesota, foster care and adoption services are administered at the county level.  

Learn About Your Local County Services

We believe in support before, during and after placement. Our organizations have a long history that began with the mission of providing care for orphaned children in 1865 (LSS) and 1889 (Children’s Home).

Learn More About CH/LSS

When working with CH/LSS, there are a variety of support services available:  

• Monthly in-home post-placement supervision, providing support & offering resources (if needed). 
• Family Support Coach that offers attachment-focused, holistic parent coaching. 
• Access to our Community Closet for items that a child placed in your home may need. 
• Support Groups for during and sometimes long after placement.  
• Connect2Connect community events and other family-friendly opportunities to gather and connect throughout the year.

In this training, Dr. Dean Grace, Ed.D., consultant for Northwood Children’s Services, retired from a 50-year career as a children’s psychological and emotional health professional, and foster parent, discusses Adverse Childhood Experiences including abuse, neglect, psychological or emotional health conditions in the family, use of substances or alcohol in the family, domestic violence, having a parent in jail, separation or divorce, or death of a parent or sibling.

Dr. Grace focuses on the developmental impact of trauma on children and adolescents, specifically on current behavior and school performance, and how we can understand and support them. The well-documented and tragic long-term physical, psychological and emotional health outcomes associated with early emotional injury are not inevitable. We can change those outcomes if we intervene early.

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In this training, Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., foster parent, and Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, delves into an in-depth discussion about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The presentation explores how these experiences are intricately linked to long-term negative outcomes across cognitive, developmental, behavioral, social, and physical health domains.

Research has consistently shown elevated rates of ACEs among children and adolescents who become involved in the juvenile justice system. Dr. Brown provides attendees with an overview of ACEs research, emphasizing its impact on mood, behavior, cognition, physical health, and even criminality. Additionally, Dr. Brown offers practical tips, strategies, and solutions.

Among the other relevant topics covered in Dr. Brown’s discussion are prenatal and postnatal challenges, attachment dysregulations, alexithymia, theory of mind deficits, chronic low-grade inflammation, cognitive dysfunction, internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, gut-brain health dysfunction, head injuries, sleep disturbances, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, high-risk coping behaviors, food insecurity, and central nervous system dysregulation.

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In this presentation, Brandon Jones, MA, will discuss how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), caused by toxic stress and environments, can negatively impact brain development and functioning throughout childhood and beyond. He discusses how disruptions in attachment, often caused by ACEs, also affect development and relationships. Viewers will learn what secure attachments look like, how they can be formed, and how to use these attachments to connect with young people who have experienced challenges and toxic stress.

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In this training, Miriam Reisetter, MSW, LICSW, discusses how childhood challenges and attachment show up in school for youth. Viewers will gain skills and resources to stand up for children in school regarding special education and learn how to connect with the necessary support for the children in their care.

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In this training, Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., foster parent, and Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, discusses how attachment-based challenges and disruptions are common among children and adolescents in the foster care system. Critically examining the topic of attachment through a neuroscience lens, Dr. Brown offers valuable insights and practical strategies, tips, and solutions to enhance positive outcomes for foster care-involved youths.

Dr. Brown also examines the implications of disruptive attachment patterns on mood, behavior, cognition, and physical health across the lifespan. Other relevant topics of Dr. Brown’s discussion includes prenatal and postnatal challenges, other life adversities, central nervous system dysfunction, allostatic load, biological despair, HPA axis dysregulation, inflammation, sleep disturbances, gut-brain health axis dysfunction, emotional dysregulation, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, amygdala dysfunction, executive functioning impairments, parental mentalization, parental reflective functioning, joint attention, social referencing, and harsh versus warm parenting practices.

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Join Brenda Benning, MSW, LICSW, and adoptive parent, in an overview presentation of Beyond Consequences, a parenting model by Heather Forbes, and her book, Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control.

Brenda breaks down the model and shows how behavioral struggles are connected to challenges and experiences. Brenda examines the four principles laid out in the book and connects how stress, challenges, and behaviors can get in the way of healthy relationships—the most important thing when it comes to fostering healthy attachment and healing from past experiences. Brenda also looks at a few common behavioral struggles that parents have and some suggestions about how to parent through those in a therapeutic way. Brenda provides an understanding of how your emotional regulation can help or inhibit your relationship with your child.

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In this training, Dr. Dean Grace, Ed.D., consultant for Northwood Children’s Services, retired from a 50-year career as a children’s behavioral health professional, and foster parent, continues his discussion on overcoming the challenges he described in his previous training on Adverse Childhood Experiences. Viewers will gain knowledge on what we can do as foster parents to help children move past early adversity.

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In this documentary, Angela Tucker, author of You Should Be Grateful, CEO of The Adopted Life, and Executive Director of the Adoptee Mentoring Society, shares her personal adoption journey. As an African American, Angela was raised by a Caucasian couple in a large, diverse family in Washington State. Angela was adopted at the age of one from foster care in the state of Tennessee, under the terms of a closed adoption. As Angela grew older it became apparent that the unanswered questions about her birth story would continue to haunt her if she did not attempt to find some answers. Filmed and edited by her husband Bryan, this documentary follows Angela for two years during the search for her birth family. This film is a story about finding one’s self and closure.

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In this presentation, Wendy Wolff, M.A., school counselor, and adoptive mother, will discuss what response looks like in children, why children display violent behaviors and the impact these behaviors have on them and others. Viewers will learn how to identify triggers and create a safety plan for their family when a child becomes violent. Viewers will also learn how to help with emotional regulation and begin the process of healing (yourself and your children) when violence occurs.

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In this presentation, Judith Eckerle, MD, Director of the Adoption Medicine Clinic at the University of Minnesota, will touch on important considerations and good-practice steps for the care of children with a history of adoption or foster care. This additionally focuses on FASD; including the process that goes into identifying this condition in the medical evaluation of FASD.

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In this presentation, a panel of foster and adoptive parents speak about their experiences as parents of youth who have been in foster care. Topics that will be discussed include parenting lessons, how to see past a youth’s diagnosis, and how to practice self-care.

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In this presentation, Charley Joyce, LCSW, and co-author of the book Behavior with a Purpose, will deepen your understanding of how children in foster care and foster parents experience grief and loss. Viewers will walk away with practical tools to help foster youth and foster parents process their grief and find resources to help along the way.

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In this presentation, you will learn about teens who are in foster care who might have experienced trafficking. Presenter, Cyreta Oduniyi, will provide viewers with examples of signs to look out for, who the biggest targets are, and what we can do to support these youth.

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In this presentation, Noelle Palmer, MS, LMFT, provides a deeper understanding from a neurodevelopmental perspective of what occurs within children who have experienced disrupted attachment, both emotionally and behaviorally. Noelle helps us make sense of their behaviors and provides practical ways to support them in developing competencies, enabling them to better manage their behavioral health.

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In this presentation, Dr. Anne Gearity will begin by discussing the difference between tolerable stress and toxic stress, and will provide information about how youth in foster care experience complex challenges. In the second part of this presentation, Dr. Gearity will discuss memory and how children store memories that have meaning and support survival. Viewers will be provided with hands-on strategies to stay engaged with their kids, rather than defeated and discouraged.

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In this presentation, Bob-e Simpson Epps provides context for caregivers to better understand how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact a person’s life. Viewers will learn about indicators of stress and challenges and how to recognize their impact on a child, and in yourself. By viewing this presentation, you will learn ways to navigate through hard times as a parent and receive guidance on how to remain steady and consistent in your caregiving.

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We get it: conflict is hard, especially when navigating the delicate dynamics of foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families. Whether it’s tension between these family units, misunderstandings, or just a lack of connection, it’s common to experience conflict that can leave everyone feeling frustrated. But when these relationships thrive, the youth in your care benefit immensely.

Join this training, led by The Katallasso Group’s Lisa Welter, completing her doctorate in leadership at Bethel University in spring 2025. Lisa, with her extensive experience, will not only share theoretical knowledge but also guide you through practical steps to lead your family confidently through challenging moments. This training is designed to empower you with the tools to navigate conflict with empathy, understanding, and effective leadership, so you can foster healthier relationships that benefit everyone involved—especially the children in your care.

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In this presentation, Adam Arnold, MA, LMFT, LADC, explores the prevalence of behavioral health symptoms and chemical abuse during adolescence. When these concerns are combined with attachment disruptions, special challenges arise for both adolescents and their families, as well as for clinicians. Viewers will learn the basics of the adolescent brain, attachment-based parenting, and the negative effects of chemical abuse; explore the common reasons adolescents abuse chemicals; process the complex relationship between attachment disruptions and chemical abuse; and learn interventions for addressing chemical abuse in adolescents using an attachment and challenge informed lens.

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In this training, Alison Feigh, MS, Jacob Wetterling Resource Center and Zero Abuse Project Director, discusses how young people are faced with a growing and changing technological landscape. There are extra challenging dynamics for youth in foster care when it comes to building an online footprint. Brain development and the need for connection can make online challenges even more challenging. Alison Feigh provides an overview of the challenges kids and teens are facing online with tips and tools specific to foster parents.

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A seminar style discussion for parents, guardians, and caregivers struggling to maintain strong and healthy leadership at home when chronic conflict or anxiety persists in children in their care. The Katallasso Group works directly with parents, children, and youth across 16 school districts for truancy prevention and 12 county Child Protection Services and supports and coaches parents at home by introducing restorative leadership skills and ongoing leadership development (and coaching) and in a simple manner.

In this training, Lisa Welter, founder of the Katallasso Group, unpacks what the anatomy of a highly anxious family is and how to not place blame on parents but understand the family system surrounding them. Attendees will lean in as foster or adoptive parents to gain greater understanding of how to better respond to kids in our care, take care of ourselves, and find supportive resources through the season. 

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In this presentation, Beth Holger, CEO of The Link, defines exploitation, reviews signs to look for, and shares response and interventions options adults or caregivers have when they believe a young person is being exploited or trafficked. This presentation will also cover run risks, indicators, prevention, and responses for caregivers. Viewers will also receive a variety of resources and local programming available through The Link.

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In this presentation, Breanna Gronli, MSW, LGSW, delves into how challenges impacts not only the brain but also the body and children’s cognitive processes. Past challenges can leave an invisible, lifelong scar, and understanding how to respond and work with children who have experienced challenges is crucial. This presentation offers resources and strategies to address the challenges experienced by children.

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In this presentation, Kaitlyn, former Juvenile Probation Officer and current Special Education Teacher, will provide background on common diagnoses that might impact a child’s ability in school and different school programs/services. You will also learn more information about what the juvenile justice system is and how to support a youth who is involved in the juvenile justice system.

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In this presentation, Brianna Sigg, MSW, LICSW, will provide an in-depth discussion about Pride terminology, statistics, resources for teens and adults, and tools for support/understanding youth in care.

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In this presentation, Logan Sand, M. Ed, SELF Program Senior Manager, along with supporting information from Cat Hammond, Adolescent Health Specialist, provides information on best practices for supporting all youth.

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In this presentation, Kim Rossow, MPH, Parent/Caregiver Education Specialist from Mad Hatter Wellness, discusses how to create connections and increase communication during the early years. This training includes information about adapting material for individuals with identified needs.

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In this presentation, Kim Rossow, MPH, Parent/Caregiver Education Specialist from Mad Hatter Wellness, discusses how to talk about the “big things” with older kids, and how to handle problematic behaviors. This training includes information about adapting material for individuals with identified needs.

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In this presentation, Brandon Jones, MA, discusses how social media has changed parenting over time, how technology impacts identity, at what age should a child have a phone, overall challenges with social media and things to watch out for, and tips for parents in navigating technology usage.

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In this training, Kate Rickord, MA, LP, Co-Director of the Resiliency & Health Institute, and Quality Parenting Outreach Lead & Champion Group Leader, introduces the national movement to foster care system change through its three core principles. You’ll walk away understanding how research on attachment informs QPI’s relationship-based approach to reform and learn how QPI focuses on lived experience individuals (youth, parents, foster parents) to uniquely contribute to effective solutions.

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In this workshop Angela Tucker, author of You Should Be Grateful, CEO of The Adopted Life, and Executive Director of the Adoptee Mentoring Society, discusses caregiving as a multifaceted journey for the entire family. However, it is often the child who bears the brunt of navigating the complexity of the experience.

This workshop will provide a window into the nuanced first-hand narratives of adoptees through videos, anonymized case studies, and Angela’s personal stories.

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In this training, Ben Nesbitt, MSW, LICSW, provides a basic overview of the three principles of TBRI. Trust-based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) is an attachment-based, informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors.

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In this webinar, Dr. Dean Grace, consultant for Northwood Children’s Services, retired from a 50-year career as a children’s behavioral health professional, and foster parent, presents what we know works and does not work to teach kids the behavior skills they need and correct their misbehavior. After describing the important principles of effective discipline, Dr. Grace provides viewers with two key skill sets: First, how to help kids learn and live the values that make them proud of who they are becoming, and second, how to understand (assess) the purpose of a child’s behavior so you can help them become the best version of him or herself.

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