adopted son and mom

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 a special person to give the gift of a stable childhood. Maybe you're the one.

 

Get the facts

Foster care and adoption in Hennepin County

Foster care

one thousand six hundred and seventy eight

Kids in the foster care system.

ages of children in foster care

Ages of kids in foster care

gender graphic

Gender of kids in foster care

race graphic

Race and ethnicity of foster kids. 25% identify as more than one race.

Source: Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, January 1, 2019

Adoption

one hundred and forty four

Kids waiting for an adoptive family

ages of waiting children

Ages of kids waiting for adoption

thirty five percent

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

Source: Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, January 1, 2019

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.

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.

you

You

  • Are 21 or older, and financially, emotionally and physically stable
  • Have flexibility at work 
  • Are two years sober if you've had drug or alcohol treatment
  • 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 at least two bedrooms
  • Is near reliable transportation, by car or public transit
  • Can be rented or owned

Get started

Foster care

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.

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.

Information sessions

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.   

  • Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to noon
    Hennepin County Library – Brookdale
    6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
    This information meeting will be one session of a larger foster care month event (to include a foster care and adoption parent panel, youth panel, keynote speaker and resource fair) and can be attended by itself or along with other sessions. Registration appreciated to brenda.brisley@hennepin.us, but not required.
    View the event flyer for more details (PDF). 
  • Tuesday, June 4, 6 to 8 p.m.
    Hennepin County Library – Southdale
    7001 York Avenue South, Minneapolis
  • Wednesday, June 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
    Hennepin County Library – Brooklyn Park
    8500 W Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park
  • Thursday, July 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
    Hennepin County Library – Washburn
    5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

Adoption

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.

ampersand logo

Ampersand Families

612-605-1904
2515 Wabash Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55114


Childrens home society and lutheran social service

Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service 

651-646-7771
1605 Eustis Street
Saint Paul, MN 55108


kindred family focus logo

Kindred Family Focus

612-331-4429
5985 Rice Creek Parkway #202
Shoreview, MN 55126


north homes logo

North Homes

218-327-3000
1880 River Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744

Training

View foster care training currently available (PDF).

To register, email the following information to fostercare@hennepin.us. 

  • Foster parent 1: full name
  • Foster parent 2: full name
  • Email
  • Phone
  • Licensing worker
  • Name(s) and date(s) of training(s)

If you do not have access to email, you can call with your information: 612-543-5407.

 

Foster care support group

No registration necessary

 

You can get support from other foster parents and exchange ideas and resources. Earn one training credit per visit up to 3 hours a year. You do not have to sign up – drop in any time!

Location

Hennepin County Library – Brookdale (Creekside Room)
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Dates and times

Group is held the last Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m.

There will be no group in December.

  • May 29
  • June 26
  • July 31
  • August 28
  • September 25
  • October 30
  • November/December TBD due to the holidays

For questions about group, contact us at fostercare@hennepin.us.

Concurrent families support group

Location

Lenox Community Center
6715 Minnetonka Boulevard
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Dates and times

Group is held the second Monday of each month from 6:30–8:30 pm. 

For more information and current speaker schedule, contact us at fostercare@hennepin.us.

Foster parents caring for teens support group

Talk it over with other parents who understand. Listen. Learn. Share. Navigating the teen years is tough. It’s even tougher when your child is in foster care and struggling with child protection, the court system, mental health, chemical health, and other social issues. Our support group is designed to be a safe, confidential place for foster parents to share experiences and learn from others. We invite you to join us!

Location

Hennepin County Library – Brookdale (Creekside Room)
6125 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Dates and times

Meetings are held the last Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m.

  • May 30
  • June 27
  • July 25
  • August 29
  • September 26
  • October/November/December TBD due to the holidays

If you plan to attend the support group, please RSVP to fostercare@hennepin.us or call 612-348-5840.

Contact us

612-348-5437
fostercare@hennepin.us
adoption@hennepin.us

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