Sometimes kids need a safe place to heal while families work through issues. If they can't return home, they need someone to care for them into the future.
Foster care and adoption in Hennepin County
Kids in the foster care system.
Ages of kids in foster care
Gender of kids in foster care
Race and ethnicity of foster kids. 30% identify as more than one race.
Kids waiting for an adoptive family
Ages of kids waiting for adoption
Kids who are part of a sibling group that needs to be adopted together
See how people like you have helped kids in our community.
When kids can’t live with someone they already know, they are matched up with a licensed foster care provider.
People should expect to care for many kids before they have an opportunity to adopt a foster child.
Some kids are ready for adoption now. Most are 10 or older. Some need to stay with siblings. Meet the kids.
Kinship placement is when a relative or friend can care for a child. To help a kid you know, call 612-348-5437.
The life-altering decision to foster or adopt comes with incredible rewards and challenges.
Successful foster and adoptive parents are patient and loving. They are team players and advocates for kids. They can love foster kids and let them go. Or they can commit to the long term and adopt them if they can't go home.
First, attend an information session where you will learn about foster care options and their requirements. This will help you decide if you are ready to take the next steps toward becoming a licensed foster parent. You do not need to register for an information session.
Information meetings are for families wanting to foster or adopt children unrelated to them. If you are interested in fostering or adopting a child you already know, please call 612-348-5437 and select option 1.
After you attend an information session and return all the required paperwork, you will be assigned an intake worker. Your intake worker will let you know which training courses you must complete.
There are no fees to adopt a child whose parents have lost the right to raise them. A contracted agency will help you through the process.
612-605-1904 2515 Wabash Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55114
651-646-7771 1605 Eustis Street Saint Paul, MN 55108
612-331-4429 5985 Rice Creek Parkway #202 Shoreview, MN 55126
218-327-3000 1880 River Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744
View foster care training currently available (PDF).
To register, email the following information to fostercare@hennepin.us.
If you do not have access to email, you can call with your information: 612-348-5840.
COMING SOON – new foster care registration system! Stay tuned for details.
612-348-5437 fostercare@hennepin.us adoption@hennepin.us