Help a child. Heal a family.

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.

It takes many people to surround kids with love and stability during childhood. Maybe you’re among them. 

 

Get the facts

Foster care and adoption in Hennepin County

Foster care

one thousand thirty eight

Kids in the foster care system

forty four percent are zero to five years old, twenty nine percent are six to twelve years old, twenty seven percent are thirteen to twenty years old

Ages of kids in foster care

thirty two percent are african american, fourteen percent are caucasion, eighteen percent are american indian and alaska native, eleven percent are hispanic, one percent are asian, thirty five percent are multiracial

Race and ethnicity of foster kids

Adoption

eighty four

Kids waiting for an adoptive family

two percent are zero to five years old, twenty five percent are six to twelve years old, seventy three percent are thirteen to twenty years old

Ages of kids waiting for adoption

twenty seven percent

Kids who are part of a sibling group that needs to be adopted together

 

Numbers updated 3/31/2023

Ways to help

See how people like you have helped kids in our community.

Become a foster family

When kids can’t live with someone they already know, they are matched up with a licensed foster care provider.

Adopt your foster child

People should expect to care for many kids before they have an opportunity to adopt a foster child.

Become an adoptive family

Some kids are ready for adoption now. Most are 10 or older. Some need to stay with siblings. Meet the kids.

Care for a child you know

Kinship placement is when a relative or friend can care for a child. To help a kid you know, call 612-348-5437. 

Look at your life

The life-altering decision to foster or adopt comes with incredible rewards and challenges. Our community needs foster and adoptive homes to affirm and reflect each unique child, including racial, cultural, and LGBTQ+ identities.

you

You

  • Can provide kids with care and stability during your time together
  • Want to support kids’ relationships with their birth families
  • Are 21 or older, and financially, emotionally and physically stable
  • Are two years sober if you've had drug or alcohol issues in the past
  • Agree to a background check
your family

Your family

  • May be just you, or you and a partner or spouse
  • May include your own kids and extended family
  • Supports your decision to foster or adopt
  • Is both stable and open to change
your home

Your home

  • Is located in Hennepin County
  • Has an extra bedroom
  • Is near reliable transportation, by car or public transit
  • Can be rented or owned

Get started

The first step: attend an information meeting. You’ll learn more about the foster care licensing process and requirements, and hear more about the children in need of foster homes and the concurrent adoption process.

The 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.

Virtual information meetings

  • Tuesday, May 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 21, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

To register, email fosteradopt@hennepin.us. Include the first and last name of all adult attendees, and the date of the meeting you want to attend.

After you register, we’ll send you more information and the link to the virtual meeting.

Information meetings are held 1-2 times per month. Upcoming dates will be posted when registration is available.

Meet the kids

Children waiting for adoption

The first goal for children in foster care is to safely reunify with their families. If they can’t return home, some may be adopted by relatives or by their foster parents.

When these options aren’t possible, kids still need loving, supportive adoptive families.

Meet the kids in Hennepin County foster care who are waiting for permanent homes.

The licensing process

When you attend an information meeting, you will get the materials you need to begin the child foster care licensing process.

The process typically takes three to six months. It includes required paperwork, background check, training and home study. A social worker will help you through the process.

Once all licensing requirements are met, the county has 120 days to make a recommendation on your application.

The foster care licensing process is the first step for those open to concurrent adoption.

Contact us

612-348-5437

fosteradopt@hennepin.us

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