Foster Care and Adoption Process

Training requirements are broken up into two parts (2960.3070 – MN Rules Part): 

Information/Orientation Sessions 

Families are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of orientation before being approved. Some licensing agencies host group sessions on a regular basis, while others may provide them individually. Families are encouraged to attend information sessions with more than one licensing agency to help decide which one feels like the best fit. 

Information discussed in these sessions includes (but is not limited to): 

• Emergency procedures
• Relevant laws and rules
• Cultural competency and gender sensitivity
• Roles and responsibilities of a foster parent
• Licensing agency requirements
• What to expect during licensing, matching, placement, and post-placement  

For help determining how to schedule a session with your county/agency, feel free to contact info@fosteradoptmn.org. You can also complete our online inquiry form to be connected directly to up to three licensing agencies. 

In-service training 

All applicants need to complete pre-licensing training. Though the format and schedule may vary, the basic requirements will be similar. Topics discussed include: 

• Early trauma
• Attachment
• Transracial and transcultural parenting
• Children’s mental health
• Grief and loss
• Fetal alcohol exposure  

Additional required trainings may include: 

• Prudent Parenting
• Car Seat Restraint Training
• Abusive Head Trauma
• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
• Mandated Reporter Training 

The licensing county or agency will provide information on how to access the required training. Additional training may be required prior to placement of a child with additional needs (i.e. a medically fragile child with medical equipment).  

Families that are interested in working with a private (no-fee) adoption agency may complete their initial in-service training through Children’s Home & Lutheran Social Service: Foster Care Adoption Education Classes  

12 hours of additional training are required annually. This must include 1 hour of children’s mental health and 1 hour of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The licensing county/agency may offer their own annual training. In addition, Foster Adopt Minnesota has a variety of educational programming:  

FAM Workshops ; FAM Webinar Library 

The foster care application consists of paperwork and documentation required to move forward in the process.  Some paperwork is required by the state of Minnesota, and other documents may be specific requirements to the county, tribe, or private agency.  Your agency will give you all the required materials and instructions for completing these documents. Follow the link to learn more: DCYF Foster Care Licensing Documents 

Below are some of the requirements: 

• Application
• Individual fact sheets
• Reference letters
• Biographical summaries
• Physician statements
• Therapy reference (if applicable)
• Marriage certificates (if applicable)
• Background checks

A fingerprint background check is required for all household members over the age of 13 (this excludes other children in foster care). Background checks may also include any other adults who may have significant contact with the children in foster care. The licensing agency will assist with this process and submit the required forms. Follow the links to learn more:  

DHS FAQs on Background Studies 

MN Statutes on Background Studies  

Licensing Disqualifiers  

Many agencies require the submission of all documents before moving forward in the home study and licensing phase. Some private agencies may have a waitlist before a social worker is assigned. Be sure to ask about this as you’re turning in your documents. 

Once the application packet is received in full, applicants will be contacted by a social worker from the agency to schedule the first home study meeting. Generally, families meet with their worker 3-4 times, including a mix of in-home and office-based meetings.  

The Home Study is an assessment process in which a social worker will determine a family’s capacity for providing a safe and nurturing home for children. The open and ongoing dialogue throughout the interviews will aid the licensing worker in supporting and best preparing the family. All household members will be a part of the interview process and may also include adult children living outside of the home. 

These meetings also include time for applicants to ask questions about the process and time for the worker to get to know the family unit. Workers may provide further education on the needs of children in foster care and expectations of foster/adoptive parents.  

During the home study, applicants will also have a chance to discuss the ages and needs of children they feel best suited to parent. Children needing care range from newborn to 21 years old, however the majority are teenagers. They have a variety of backgrounds, needs, and experiences. Characteristics for families to consider include: age, siblings, behavioral needs, medical and mental health diagnoses, supervision needs, culture, ethnicity, and race. 

Foster parents and licensing agencies are required to follow specific standards. Follow the links to review these standards: 

Agreement Between Foster Parents and Licensing Agency 

Summary of Child Foster Care Responsible Agency Requirements 

Licensing Requirements 

Family Foster Care Licensing Checklist 

The social worker will complete an initial inspection of the family’s home and identify items needing to be modified or changed in the home or on the property. The worker will also determine if there are any identified triggers for a Fire Marshall Inspection and will provide instructions for scheduling this. 

Licensing requirements include but are not limited to: 

• Adequate space for youth and their belongings 
• Space meets all building, fire, and zoning codes 
• Tools, sharp objects, weapons, chemicals, and other potentially hazardous materials are out of reach of children 
• Safety items are in the home and in working condition, including a phone accessible to children, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers of the appropriate rating 
• Pets are up to date on vaccinations 
• Safe sleep plan for infants (if applicable) 

At any time throughout the process, applicants or the licensing worker may decide that moving forward with the licensing process is not the best fit. Being a licensed foster or adoptive parent does not guarantee placement of children. 

When licensing visits and requirements have been completed, and the agency has approved the family, a home study report will be written.  

Emergency Care:
Emergency placements are short-term placements that can happen at any time of day or night. There may be limited information available about the child(ren) prior to arriving at the foster home. Emergency homes typically provide care for 24 hours up to 90 days.  

The licensing agency will have established protocols on the referral process for emergency care. Foster families may be contacted by local law enforcement, an on-call social worker, or a child protection social worker. The licensing agency will provide details about the placement process, the documentation you can expect, and who needs to be notified of the placement. 

Traditional Foster Care:
Traditional foster care placements happen when a child needs temporary care due to their home being unsafe. The child may be moving directly from the home they shared with their biological family, from another foster home, or from a group home setting. Families will be contacted by their licensing agency when care is needed. The child’s information will be reviewed with the foster family to determine if the family is an appropriate match for the child. Information shared may include the child’s demographics, needs, behaviors, reunification plan, and visitation plan. 

Families licensed by a nonprofit foster care agency may serve children throughout the state, however the youth must be placed by the licensing agency.  

The placing social worker and licensor will assist with school enrollment, medical services, visitation arrangements, etc. The child will remain in the family’s care until they are reunited with family members, placed with a relative/kin, adopted, or per the family’s request. Though it is not ideal, a family can request the removal of a child but should give the placing worker a 30-45 day notice to allow other arrangements to be made. 

Respite Care:
Respite is a way to give the youth and families a break. Respite is most common during a weekend or school break, for 1-2 overnights, and is generally an agreed upon schedule prior to placement.  Respite can be used by foster or pre-adoptive families. 

Families can always say “no” to placements that they do not feel prepared to parent. It is better for a family to set limits prior to a placement, rather than have the child’s placement disrupt and require another transition. 

The matching and placement process for foster care adoption differs greatly from traditional foster care.  

Matching:
Matching with a child for adoption may take months, or, in some cases, years. Variability in timeframes is due to the important task of determining the right fit for each child. This process helps licensing workers learn more about the children each family feels prepared to parent.  

It’s important for families to remain engaged in the matching process during this time. Families can remain engaged by: 

• Checking out photo-listing sites 
• Meet the Kids 
• Minnesota Heart Gallery 
• Reel Hope Project 
• Connecting with other adoptive families either informally or via support groups 
• Providing respite for other families in the program who are currently parenting  
• Attending matching events hosted by counties and agencies 
• Continuing to educate themselves by attending workshops and learning more about the needs of children in care. 
• Using knowledge gained from other families and ongoing education to evaluate matching preferences 

 Additionally, the adoption licensing worker will send profiles of children they learn about via agency referrals, the adoption listserv, or other professionals. 

The matching process includes a chance for families to connect with other professionals and care providers in each child’s life to learn more about the child they are considering adopting. It will also include an opportunity for families to review social medical histories to help them determine if they feel fit to parent specific children. 

Transition:
Once a family has committed to adopting a child, transition visits will begin. The schedule will be created in collaboration with the adoptive family, the foster family, social workers, and occasionally a child’s therapist. The visits gradually increase in time together, typically starting with meeting for a couple hours, and working up to a long weekend in the adoptive family’s home. The last date on the calendar will be when the child moves into the home and the Adoption Placement Agreement (APA) is signed. This document signifies that the county has placed the child into the adoptive family’s home with the intention of the child being adopted. 

During the transitional period, social workers and the adoptive family will be busy enrolling the child in school and other therapeutic resources if needed. The family will also be readying their home for the addition of a new child. 

Post-Placement and Finalization:
“Post-Placement” refers to the timeframe between the date that a child moves into an adoptive home, and the legal adoption finalization. The child’s worker(s) and the family’s licensor will be visiting monthly to get updates and check in.  

During this time frame there will be a lot of adjusting for the whole family. It will be important for families to self-reflect and offer themselves care, and to also consider the experience from the child’s point of view. It is not uncommon for children or parents to experience adjustment challenges during this time. It is for families to talk openly and honestly with their licensors and support networks.  

Typically, the adoption will be finalized within 9 months of the child moving in. The child’s county social worker will be submitting required documentation to the State for approval before they can move forward and schedule the court hearing.  

Foster parents and adoptive parents alike are eligible to receive a stipend to help support the children in their care. Some children qualify for additional payments based on the level of care needed. Follow the links to learn more: Northstar Care for Children (state.mn.us) ; Northstar Adoption Assistance / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov) 

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