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October 2026
You are receiving this communication because you are a child foster care licensor or supervisor, or authorized agent for a child-placing agency. Please share this with other staff that work with CFC licensing (admin, case aides, county attorneys, supporting roles).
Legacy Studies Reminder
Legacy background studies (BGS) will no longer be valid after March 1, 2027. Between now and March 1, 2027, anyone in a child foster care home who is required to have a background study and does not have a completed study in NETStudy 2.0 (NS2) must have one initiated, unless they are no longer affiliated with the program.
We’ve partnered with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Background Study Unit to identify programs that may have individuals who need a new NS2 study. We’ve begun providing counties and agencies with lists of these programs and will continue to do so in the coming months. Programs may appear on the list for one or more of the following reasons:
- The program was licensed while NS2 was in use, but there are no NS2 studies on the roster.
- The program was licensed before NS2, and its roster shows at least one valid NS2 study (likely added after initial licensure).
- The program was licensed before NS2 and has no NS2 studies on the roster.
When you receive the list, please review each program’s NS2 roster with your sensitive information person (SIP), as BGS does not indicate which reason applies to each program. If anyone who requires a background study is not shown on the NS2 roster, you should assume they have a legacy study and need a new NS2 study.
If you see individuals on the NS2 roster who should no longer be affiliated with the program, please contact triage prior to unaffiliating; see information below.
Unaffiliating Individuals from BGS Rosters in NS2: What Licensors Need to Know
Maintaining accurate background study (BGS) rosters is an important part of licensing oversight and data integrity. Licensors may receive requests to unaffiliate individuals in NETStudy 2.0, or questions about whether someone should remain affiliated with a roster. These requests should be reviewed carefully. If an individual is unaffiliated and later needs to be affiliated with the foster home again, a new BGS will be required.
Licensors should not remove an individual solely because the person appears to be an old or unnecessary roster entry. The primary goal is to understand the person’s current relationship to the foster home—not simply whether the person has moved out. This is especially important when there is reasonable cause, a BGS disqualification (DQ), non-disqualifying (non-DQ) information, or any other factor that could affect the decision. Never unaffiliate someone without consulting triage first, and do not assume that removing an individual from the roster resolves any underlying BGS concerns.
Preparing for Your Triage Consultation
Before contacting triage, gather the information below. Having these details ready will help triage determine whether the individual should remain affiliated with the child foster home’s BGS roster or whether unaffiliation is appropriate.
- Individual: Name and BGS number of the person
- License: Foster home’s license number.
- Relationship to the home: How is or was the individual connected to the foster family?
- Current residence: Where does the individual currently live, or when/where do they plan to move?
- Background study: Review Family Child Foster Care Background Study Worksheet: “Is a Background Study Required?” Carefully consider the individual's role, access, and reasonable cause.
Individuals who may have unsupervised access can include people who:
- Have keys to the foster home
- Are listed on the mortgage or lease
- Have children in common with an applicant or license holder
- Use the foster home’s address for mail or list it as their permanent address
*Important: Having unsupervised access does not automatically mean an individual is subject to a background study. There must also be reasonable cause.
Reasonable cause means information exists indicating that the person may have a history that would disqualify them or may pose a risk to the health or safety of children in care. See Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.02, subdivision 15. Examples may include:
- Known criminal or maltreatment history that may affect the individual’s eligibility to be around children.
- Conduct, behavior, or circumstances that raise concerns about the individual’s ability to safely interact with foster children.
- Information suggesting the individual may have engaged in behavior that could pose a safety concern for children.
- Credible reports related to substance use, violence, threats, or similar concerning behavior.
- Information indicating the individual may have violated licensing requirements or boundaries related to foster children.
- A pattern of concerning behavior, even if it does not result in a disqualification.
If the Person Has Moved, Verify the New Residence
If the unaffiliation is requested because an individual has moved out of the foster home, the licensor must obtain documentation verifying the new residence.
Acceptable documentation includes:
- A utility bill showing the new address
- A mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
- An updated driver’s license or identification card
- Other reliable documentation confirming the current address
*Special note: Moving away temporarily for college does not mean an individual should be unaffiliated.
NS2 Unaffiliation Following Triage Approval
After consulting with triage and receiving approval, the licensor may complete the unaffiliation in NS2. NS2 includes a function that allows licensors to remove an individual from a roster. Instructions for this process are available in the NS2 Help section.
If licensing agencies are utilizing an inquiry form for foster care and adoption, it should be separate from the Commissioner’s Child Foster Care and Adoption Application. Agencies may use an inquiry form to collect basic information needed to determine whether a prospective applicant appears to meet minimum eligibility criteria for foster care and/or adoption. Agencies may require applicant(s) to review and sign eligibility statements when applying to adopt a domestic infant or a child through international adoption. However, the inquiry form should not collect the same information that is in the Commissioner's Child Foster Care and Adoption Application.
The purpose of an inquiry form is to gather basic, initial information and determine whether the prospective applicant should move forward with the application process. An inquiry form should not be used to begin the formal assessment process. Agencies should not require prospective applicant(s) to complete detailed questionnaires, assessments, releases of information (ROIs), or other documents related to the formal assessment and licensing/adoption process, before the Commissioner's application is completed.
Prospective applicant(s) must complete the Commissioner's Child Foster Care and Adoption Application before the agency begins the formal assessment process. Once the Commissioner's application is completed, the agency may begin the assessment and collect the required information and documentation needed to determine the applicant(s)’ ability to provide foster care and/or adoption services.
The goal is to keep the inquiry process simple and limited to basic eligibility information, while using the Commissioner's application as the starting point for the formal assessment and collection of additional information.
DCYF has created new guidance for youth in foster care. Please add this as a new resource to share with foster families and youth that you work with.
Understanding Foster Care: A guide for youth
In preparation for our December webinar, please bring ideas and information about recruitment efforts your agency has implemented. You are also encouraged to bring questions for other licensors about recruitment strategies you’d like to learn more about. We’ll set aside time for licensors to come off mute, network, and share ideas and experiences.
Below are training opportunities offered and presented by DCYF's Child Foster Care (CFC) licensing staff. These courses are listed in a suggested order of attendance. If you already attended any of the courses below, you are welcome to attend again, as a refresher. Visit TrainLink to learn more about the courses offered. This schedule is planned through the 2nd Quarter of 2027. Unless specified, these are one day courses.
* Training locations, dates, and times are subject to change.
CFC PIF & 3324
- November 16, 2026: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
- January 14, 2027: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
- April 15, 2027: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
CFC Basics and Beyond
- November 12, 2026: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St. Paul, MN)
- February 11, 2027: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St. Paul, MN)
- April 22, 2027: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St. Paul, MN)
CFC Home Safety Checklist Overview
- October 29, 2026: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St Paul, MN)
- May 12, 2027: 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St Paul, MN)
Licensing Complaint and Investigations - Child Foster Care
*This course is two half days, must attend both days for credit.
- November 18 & 19, 2026: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Virtual)
- February 17 & 18, 2027: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Virtual)
Licensing Actions and Appeals - Child Foster Care
- October 21, 2026: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St Paul, MN)
- March 31, 2027: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St Paul, MN)
- June 2, 2027: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (St Paul, MN)
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