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 seventeen

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. 30% identify as more than one race.

Source: Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department, January 1, 2020

Adoption

one hundred and thirty

Kids waiting for an adoptive family

ages of waiting children

Ages of kids waiting for adoption

forty three 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, 2020

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. You do not need to register to attend. 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 via webinars

Due to COVID-19, we've cancelled all in-person information meetings for the foreseeable future.

In the meantime, we have switched to webinars. To register, email Born.Chea@hennepin.us. Include the first and last name of all adult attendees and the date of the webinar. After you register we will send you more information and the webinar link.

Wednesday, July 8
This session is full

Wednesday, July 22
This session is full

Monday, August 10
6 to 8 p.m.
Webinar instructions and link will be sent after you register.

Monday, August 24
1 to 3 p.m.
Webinar instructions and link will be sent after you register.

We apologize for any inconvenience. We will resume in-person meetings when instructed it is safe and update this page at that time. 

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


nexus-kindred family healing logo

Nexus Family Healing

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

Register for training

View foster care training currently available (PDF)

The new registration system for foster parents of the Hennepin County Foster Care program has started! The new system not only allows you to register for classes, but it also tracks all of your learning. You will need to create a Hennepin Learning Account – the process takes just a few minutes.

To learn about creating your Hennepin Learning Account, email fostercare@hennepin.us. You will need to provide the following information to get the instructions:

  • Your first and last name
  • Your Hennepin County social worker or licensor if one has been assigned

Contact us

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

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