The foster, adoption and post adoption experiences are deeply nuanced and often involve a wide range of emotions and complexities. We are here to meet you where you are and support you along this journey.
Explore the details of our services and complete our Service Request Form to begin. We will review and inform you of any applicable fees before the start of your service.
Please note that our services involving adoption records are generally open to those with foster or adoption experiences through Children’s Home, LSS or contracted organizations.
Search Services
International Search Consultation
- Providing international adoptees and/or adoptive families with information and support for international adoption search in countries where we do not offer direct search services.
- We currently offer Search and Connection services, that include consultation, in Ethiopia, Guatemala, Romania and South Korea.
- A service for international adult adoptees (age 18+) or adoptive parents of minors whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, LSS, contracted organization, or other provider.
- You can expect:
- Up to three consultations with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes. Guidance on assessing readiness, information disclosure, protection, translation and potential outcomes.
- Connection to country-specific resources.
- Closing consultation to process information and discuss next steps.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $150
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Limited Search
- Providing domestic foster youth, adoptees, birth and/or adoptive families with non-identifying social medical information. This includes information verification as allowable by Minnesota Statute.
- If identifying information and/or connection is desired, consider our U.S. Search & Connection Service.
- A service for domestic adult adoptees (age 18+) and their families whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, LSS or contracted organization.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process
- Our Post Adoption staff will conduct a search confidentially and respectfully, utilizing the original adoption record as a starting point
- Outreach to obtain requested information, if applicable
- Delivery of information
- Closing consultation to process your experience
- Connection to optional continued support and resources
- Fee: $450
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Search & Connection Services
U.S. (Domestic) Adoption
- Providing domestic adoptees, birth and/or adoptive families with information, support, and when possible, connection for up to 1 year of the search/connection journey.
- A service for domestic adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, LSS or contracted organization.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes.
- Guidance on assessing readiness, information protection and disclosure.
- Our Post Adoption staff will conduct a search respectfully and confidentially, utilizing the original adoption record as a starting point.
- Consultation to process search results and discuss establishing contact, if desired.
- Facilitation of exchange included for up to 1 year (ex: hosting in-person reunion, delivery of updated letter/photos, collecting responses, etc.).
- Closing consultation with our Post Adoption staff to process your experience.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $900
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
- Some services may be covered through existing contracts. Upon receipt of your Service Request Form, we will provide you with an individualized cost estimate (not to exceed $900).
South Korea
- Providing Korean adoptees, birth, foster and/or adoptive families with information, support, and when possible, connection for up to 1 year of the search/connection journey.
- A service for Korean adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, LSS or contracted organization.
- If your Korean adoption was completed by an agency other than Children’s Home, LSS or listed contract organization, we may be able to assist. Please contact us.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes.
- Guidance on assessing readiness, information protection and translation.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with your Korean agency to conduct a search confidentially and respectfully, utilizing both the U.S. and Korean adoption records as a starting point.
- Consultation to process search results and discuss establishing contact, if desired.
- Facilitation of exchange included for up to 1 year from the first response (ex: a letter with photos shared from you to birth or foster family will be translated, delivered, photographed and responses collected and shared with you).
- Closing consultation to process your experience.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $350
- This service is provided at no charge to Korean-birth family members.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Ethiopia
- Providing Ethiopian adoptees, birth and/or adoptive families with information, support, and when possible, connection for up to 1 year of the search/connection journey.
- A service for Ethiopian adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home or contracted organization.
- If your Ethiopian adoption was completed by an agency other than Children’s Home or listed contract organization, we may be able to assist. Please contact us.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes.
- Guidance on assessing readiness, information protection and translation.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with contracted Ethiopian staff to conduct a search confidentially and respectfully, utilizing both the U.S. and Ethiopian adoption records as a starting point.
- Consultation to process search results and discuss establishing contact, if desired.
- Facilitation of exchange included for up to one year from the first response (ex: a letter with photos shared from you to birth family will be translated, delivered, photographed and responses collected and shared with you).
- Closing consultation to process your experience.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $1500
- This service is provided at no fee to Ethiopian birth family members.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Guatemala
- Providing Guatemalan adoptees, birth and/or adoptive families with information, support, and when possible connection for up to 1 year of the search/connection journey.
- A service for Guatemalan adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, LSS or contracted organization.
- If your Guatemalan adoption was completed by an agency other than Children’s Home, LSS or listed contract organization, we may be able to assist. Please contact us.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes.
- Guidance on assessing readiness, information protection and translation.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with contracted Guatemalan staff to conduct a search confidentially and respectfully, utilizing both the U.S. and Guatemalan adoption records as a starting point.
- Consultation to process search results and discuss establishing contact, if desired.
- Facilitation and translation of email correspondence included for up to 1 year.
- Closing consultation to process your experience.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $350
- This service is provided at no charge to Guatemalan birth family members.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Romania
- Providing Romanian adoptees, birth and/or adoptive families with information, support, and when possible, connection for up to 1 year of the search/connection journey.
- A service for Romanian adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors who adoptions were completed by Children’s Home or contracted organization.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss the search process and potential outcomes.
- Guidance on assessing readiness, information protection and translation.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with contracted Romanian staff to conduct a search confidentially and respectfully, utilizing both the U.S. and Romanian adoption records as a starting point.
- Consultation to process search results and discuss establishing contact, if desired.
- Facilitation and translation of email correspondence included for up to 1 year.
- Closing consultation to process your experience.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $350
- This service is offered at no charge to Romanian birth family members.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Openness Exchange
U.S. (Domestic) Adoption
- Intermediary services for domestic adoptees and their loved ones with established contact.
- A service for domestic adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors with established contact whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, contracted organization, or other provider.
- If contact is not yet established, consider our U.S. Search & Connection Service.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss your individual circumstances and desired outcomes.
- Guidance on information protection and disclosure.
- Our Post Adoption staff will deliver your message/material (letter, photos, etc.). to the other party.
- Information/Response collected and delivered, if applicable.
- Closing consultation that includes verification of delivery.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $100 per exchange
- This service is provided at no cost to birth family members.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Ethiopia
- Intermediary and translation services for Ethiopian adoptees and their loved ones with established contact.
- A service for Ethiopian adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors with established contact whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, contracted organization, or other provider.
- If contact is not yet established, consider our Ethiopia Search & Connection Service.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss your individual circumstances and desired outcomes.
- Guidance on information protection and disclosure.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with contracted Ethiopian staff for the translation and delivery of your messages/material (such as latter, photos, etc.).
- Information/Response collected and translated, if applicable.
- Closing consultation that includes verification of delivery.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $300 per exchange
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Ethiopia Update Delivery
- Translation and delivery services for Ethiopian adoptees and their loved ones with established contact.
- A service for Ethiopian adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minors with established contact whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, contracted organization, or other provider.
- If contact is not yet established, consider our Ethiopia Search & Connection Service.
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss your individual circumstances and desired outcomes.
- Guidance on information protection and disclosure.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate with contracted Ethiopian staff for the translation and delivery of your message/material (such as letter, photos, etc.).
- If response is desired, consider our Ethiopian Adoption Openness Exchange Service.
- Email confirmation of delivery.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $100 per update
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
South Korea
- Intermediary and translation services for Korean adoptees and their loved ones with established contact.
- A service for Korean adult adoptees (age 18+), birth family members or adoptive parents of minor with established contact whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home, contracted organization, or other provider.
- If contact is not yet established, consider our Korean Search & Connection Service
- You can expect:
- Consultation with our Post Adoption staff to discuss your individual circumstances and desired outcomes.
- Guidance on information protection and disclosure.
- Our Post Adoption staff will coordinate translation and delivery of your message/material (email, letter, photos) to birth/foster family.
- Information/Response collected and translated, if applicable.
- Closing consultation that includes verification of delivery.
- Connection to optional continued support and resources.
- Fee: $50 per electronic exchange, $80 per mailed exchange
- This service is provided at no cost to South Korean birth or foster families.
- If fees are a barrier, you are welcome to apply for a partial or full grant through our Adoption Support Fund (application available with Service Request Form).
Openness Support
Openness Consultation Service
- Providing non-legal mediation to one or more individuals navigating openness in foster care and/or adoption, meeting individuals where they are and working to establish or increase positive interactions, setting boundaries, and developing strategies that can be used on an ongoing basis.
- In this service, we can assist with:
- Emotional support
- Navigating conflict
- Enhancing interpersonal communication
- Post-DNA search support
- Discussing openness with children
- Openness planning & meeting facilitation
- Guidance on information disclosure & protection
- Connection to resources, services & additional supports
- Fee: $350 for up to three sessions ($100 per additional session) or this service is free* to Minnesota Foster Parents, adoptees, birth/first or adoptive parents whose adoptions took place through any Minnesota county or agency.
*Made possible with funding provided by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).
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