Learn about new laws that are causing significant changes in time-limited work rules for SNAP recipients and that impact recipients and increase workload for Minnesota's counties and Tribal Nations.
The federal shutdown has ended, and SNAP benefits are being processed and distributed on schedule. Learn more at https://dcyf.mn.gov/federal-shutdown
Become a foster parent
Foster parents play a crucial role in supporting children and their families through challenging times. When a child needs foster care, ideally they can be cared for by family or friends. When that’s not possible, they need foster parents who will help keep them connected to people and places that are important to them. Minnesota is especially in need of foster parents:
- Able to keep sibling groups together
- Committed to supporting youth affected by trauma and mental health conditions
- Excited about helping teenagers navigate identity and independence needs
- Who reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children who are in need of foster and adoptive homes.
Foster care and other child welfare programs are provided through county and tribal agencies. In most cases these agencies first seek potential foster parents from the child’s family and natural support network. When that’s not possible, they seek to maintain a child in their community, including maintaining their school. Minnesota seeks to increase foster homes in all areas of the state to have more options to keep children close to home and connected to the people and places that are important to them.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families has a contract with Foster Adopt Minnesota to provide information about foster care and the licensing process. Their Fostering Network page includes information about becoming a foster parent and they are available to answer questions you may have at 612-746-5133. Based on your interests and unique situation they can help identify agencies in your community that may be the best fit for you. Complete the online inquiry form and your information will be sent to the agencies you select.
Discuss with agencies their needs for foster parents, requirements, supports and your interests. Select an agency that is the best fit for you.
Minnesota offers one application for child foster care licensing and adoption. In order to be a licensed foster care provider, you need to complete and submit the application and individual fact sheet. Some agencies use online software for licensure.
Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Application (PDF)
Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Individual Fact Sheet (PDF)
The licensing process includes background studies of applicants and household members age 13 and older, and review of delinquency, criminal and child protection histories; adults are required to complete fingerprint-based background studies. Foster care background studies are completed by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Potential applicants are encouraged to openly discuss past history for themselves or their household members; depending on the situation and time that has passed it may not be a disqualification, or reconsideration may be available. Agency staff discuss this information with you and assess whether it impacts your ability to safely care for children in foster care.
The county or private agency will assign a social worker to visit you and your family to interview you and complete a home study assessment.
The home study process involves several interviews with you and your family members. The social worker will use information gathered during interviews and collateral contacts to write an assessment. The social worker has the responsibility to assess a potential parent's ability to provide a healthy environment for a child. County and private agencies are required to use the Human Services commissioner's format for the assessment. The format is available for your review: Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Home Study Assessment (PDF)
When you have successfully completed the process, the agency will notify the state and a license will be issued. This license is good for either one or two years. Prior to the expiration date, the assessment will need to be updated to renew the license.
Orientation and specific training are required for all foster parents.
- Agreement Between Foster Parents and Licensing Agency DHS-0139 (PDF)
- Summary of Child Foster Care Responsible Agency Requirements DHS-0139A (PDF)
- Instructions for Completing a Social and Medical History for a Child in Foster Care DHS-6754 (PDF)
- Basics for relatives of foster children DHS-3799A (PDF)
- Children in Foster Care: Using relative visits and alternative child care arrangements DHS-7830A (PDF)
Prospective foster care families should start by contacting the foster care licensor at their local county or tribal human services agency. Your licensor will work with you to assign training. Training for foster parents is available online and in person through the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy.
The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act amended federal foster care Title IV-E, requiring states to support normalcy for all children in foster care. Children and youth in foster care need to experience the same types of developmentally appropriate and social activities that their friends, families and classmates — who are not in care — experience. This law permits foster parents, designated corporate foster care staff and residential staff to allow foster children to participate in normal childhood activities, including…, by applying the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard.
This two-hour training is required for child welfare case managers of foster care placements, child foster care licensing staff, child foster care parents, and designated staff at corporate or residential facilities.
- PowerPoint slides from the May 24, 2016 Virtual Presence Communication (VPN), Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Training (PDF)
- Minnesota’s Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Guidance DHS-7684 (PDF)
- Training Certificate (PDF)
- Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Training” VPN, YouTube link from May 24, 2016
Programs and services are available for current foster youth between 14-18, or former foster youth over 18, to help them prepare for adulthood. These programs can help with tuition assistance, job skills training, finding work, medical assistance, and more. Each program has different eligibility requirements, and may be provided by the county, Tribe, or community agencies. Please see our Foster Youth Transitions page for a full list of programs.
When children enter foster care, reunification with their family is the primary goal. Approximately 50% of children return home to parent from whom they were removed. When a child is unable to return home, paths to permanency include adoption or a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody, with a relative whenever possible.
Financial support for children is available to eligible families through a program called Northstar Care for Children. Various supports are available depending on a family's situation. Northstar Adoption Assistance or Northstar Kinship Assistance were enacted in 2015 to address the evolving needs of Minnesota families.
Other available resources for foster parents listed below:
- Legally and Financially Responsible Agency Roles under Northstar Care for Children DHS-3822 (PDF)
- Northstar Care for Children: Encouraging safe, permanent homes for children DHS-6736 (PDF)
- Request for Foster Care Payment DHS-4567 (PDF)
- Permanency support services for adoptive, foster and kinship families DHS-4925 (PDF)
- Relative Permanency Services: Reducing time in foster care DHS-4926 (PDF)