Foster Youth Transitions

Current and former foster youth can get up to $5,000 per school year. Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program provides the funds for eligible students. Funding for post-secondary education at a college, university, vocational, technical or trade school. You do not have to pay these funds back.

Youth who are in foster care Immediately prior to their 18th birthday may qualify for extended foster care services and payments.

The STAY (Successful Transition to Adulthood for Youth) Program provides independent living skills for current or former foster youth from ages 14 up to 23 who are working with a county or tribal worker.

STAY in Community provides individual independent living skills training for former foster youth from ages 18 up to 23 who are no longer working with a county or tribal worker.

Youth Leadership Councils are an avenue for current and former foster care youth to learn leadership skills and make a difference in the foster care system.

The Minnesota Youth in Transition Database (MNYTD) survey gives youth an opportunity to make their voices heard, and to help other youth who are in foster care. Learn more about the MNYTD program, eligibility, benefits and program data.

MA health care benefits are available for youth who were in foster care on or after their 18th birthday and were enrolled in Medical Assistance are eligible to continue receiving MA until age 26. This includes youth who aged out in another state and moved to Minnesota.

If you’re a caseworker, review Bulletin 23-21-24 for more information. Minnesota County and Tribal agencies should submit policy, eligibility and access questions via HealthQuest. Caseworkers from other states can contact the Adolescent Services Unit at dhs_csp_adolescents@state.mn.us.

If you’re a former foster youth with questions about:

• Your eligibility: Contact your county or Tribal agency
• How to apply: Contact your county or Tribal agency if you were in foster care in Minnesota, or a MNSure Navigator if you were in foster care in another state
• How the health care system works in MN: Check out the Office of Attorney General’s consumer health information
• What to do if your application was denied: You can learn about the appeal process on the DHS website or the MNsure website
• Anything else: You can contact the Adolescent Services Unit at dhs_csp_adolescents@state.mn.us