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.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families supports Youth Leadership Councils across the state comprised of current and former foster care youth.

Their mission is to:

• Provide increased youth voices about the implementation and evaluation of foster care policy and practice
• Advise the department on state policy affecting children in the foster care system
• Develop a speaker's bureau of foster youth
• Education and train other youth, resource families, child welfare workers and the general public.

The councils meet regularly, recruit new members, and learn leadership and planning skills. They visit the State Capitol each year to meet legislators and advocate for laws affecting youth.

For more information or to get involved, contact us at dcyf.csp.foster.youth.transitions@state.mn.us.

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.

Youth who leave foster care after they turn 18 can get free health insurance in Minnesota until age 26 through Medical Assistance (MA). This benefit is available to any former foster youth who’s living in Minnesota, including youth who moved here from another state.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, former foster youth can visit the Department of Human Services website.

Caseworkers who work with youth can review MA for Former Foster Care Youth: A Guide for Child Welfare and Community Agency Workers (DHS-7678) (PDF), 2.2.2.1.3 Former Foster Care Youth Basis of Eligibility or email dcyf.csp.foster.youth.transitions@state.mn.us with questions.
 

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 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
• Anything else: You can contact the Foster Youth Transitions Unit at dcyf.csp.foster.youth.transitions@state.mn.us

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families helps foster youth obtain credit reports to ensure they leave foster care with clear credit histories. Visit the credit reports for foster care youth page for more information.