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Content submission deadline: April 15, 2021
If you have any topics you would like to see covered in this newsletter, please email: Contracts.Adoption.DHS@state.mn.us
The Permanency Support Unit update is a collaborative effort by permanency support unit staff.
Commitment to anti-racist work and inclusivity: The colorblind approach
The Permanency Support Unit is continuing to review policies, practices, and laws to determine where and how changes can or should be made to ensure racial equity and inclusivity, and promote better outcomes for children and families who are disproportionately represented in permanency and adoption.
In February 2020, staff from the Permanency Support Unit attended the virtual conference “We Must Do Better for Children: Race and Equity in Foster Care and Adoption,” hosted by the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC). Dr. JaeRan Kim of the University of Washington at Tacoma opened the conference with her session titled “The Damage of Color-Blind Attitudes in Adoption.” Dr. Kim explained that being colorblind is the equivalent of being color-evasive, meaning that the concept of “I don’t see color” means “I don’t acknowledge color.” By not acknowledging color, this perspective minimizes and ignores experiences, perspectives, and identities of persons and communities of color that are, in fact, based on race. It also leaves room for a dismissal of unique historical and current challenges faced by communities of color that are also based on race.
For adoptive families, colorblind/color-evasive practices can be especially harmful for transracial adoptees and their adoptive parents. Dr. Kim explained that such practices can interfere with children’s normal identity development (which includes having a positive racial identity), and leave both children and adoptive parents unprepared to deal with racism and discrimination they may encounter. Such practices also give implicit permission for adoptive parents to espouse harmful attitudes and beliefs (such as minimizing or dismissing a racist comment directed towards their child), which can negatively impact their relationship with their children and send the message that their child cannot go to them to talk about racism and discrimination.
Dr. Kim also pointed out that colorblind-color-evasive practices employed by agencies also have a harmful impact on adoptive families and children. Employing such practices sends a message to adoptive families that the agency is not a safe space for them to discuss race and racism, and promotes false optimism about the impact of racism and discrimination to adoptive families. Additionally, placement decisions are at risk of being made without regard to the developmental needs of children of color that are equated with positive racial identity development. And finally, such practices promote the perception that the agency does not care about the experiences of, and challenges faced by, communities and persons of color in relation to racism and discrimination.
Recent articles following the mass shooting of Asian American women in Atlanta, in addition to the increase in violence against people of Asian descent, highlight this issue for transracial adoptees:
With this in mind, it is important for agencies to consider laws, policies, practices, and procedures that may promote a colorblind/color-evasive perspective in adoption, whether intentional or not, and determine whether and how they can be addressed. While it may be out of an agency’s power or reach to repeal laws or policies that have an embedded colorblind/color-evasive perspective, agencies (including DHS) can modify or eliminate policies, practices, and procedures within their power to modify or eliminate, while working with communities of color to ensure existing and future laws, policies, practices, and procedures do not include this harmful perspective. Additionally, Dr. Kim encouraged agencies to conduct an organizational assessment of their adoption and permanency work to uncover where they might have colorblind or color-evasive practices and policies. Some examples of areas to look at include:
- Whether the agency uses white middle-class standards in home study assessments to determine what a family should look like, where they should live and work, and what makes them “good” families
- Whether the agency includes positive racial and cultural identity development in its determination of a child’s needs, when making placement decisions
- Whether staff of color are expected to do all of the diversity, equity, and inclusion work in an agency, and whether people of color are represented in leadership positions and on the agency’s board
- Whether trainings, orientations, and events for foster and adoptive families are focused only on culture, or if they also include race and racism.
Update: Background studies for transfer of permanent legal and physical custody
The Department of Human Services, Background Studies Division (BGS) has determined that background studies for the purpose of a transfer of permanent legal and physical custody can now be submitted using the same process as an adoption study. These studies will be conducted as if they are for an adoption and the requirements and results of the study will be the same as an adoption study.
To submit these studies:
- The county or private agency must utilize NETStudy (the old system, not the new NETStudy 2.0).
- The study subject will need to provide their fingerprints on a hard card (this cannot be completed at a livescan location).
- The county or private agency must supply the study subject with the hard cards and the study subject may then go to a local law enforcement agency and get fingerprinted on the hard cards.
- Counties and private agencies must provide hard cards supplied by BGS for background study subjects to use. If a county or private agency needs additional hard cards, an email can be sent to BGS at netstudy2@state.mn.us.
- After the study subject has been fingerprinted, they will need to return their hard cards to the county or private agency.
- The county or private agency will then enter the background study information into NETStudy and submit the fingerprint hard cards and the Adam Walsh Background Study Identification form and any other required documentation to the Background Studies Division.
- For purposes of determining Northstar Kinship Assistance eligibility both clearance letters (emergency and adoption-only) need to be sent to DHS.
Note: Some law enforcement agencies may not be fingerprinting for this purpose or will only complete fingerprinting by appointment. The study subject should contact their local law enforcement agency prior to going to get fingerprinted to determine availability and costs.
Child Safety and Permanency Division employment opportunities
The Child Safety and Permanency Division is hiring for two positions: Deputy Director of Prevention and Operations and Prevention Parent/Family Engagement Consultant. For additional information on the application process, check here.
Child-specific recruitment consultant
The Permanency Support Unit has started consultation with Michael Sanders and Adrian McLemore of The 220 Experience to review child-specific recruitment services, practices and policy in Minnesota. This collaboration will provide an analysis of policy, outcomes, and feedback to identify areas of strength and areas to grow in child-specific recruitment practices for older youth in out-of-home care. Permanency professionals can anticipate opportunities to provide stakeholder feedback as well as opportunities for case consultation. Additionally, The 220 Experience will provide education on child-specific recruitment strategies. We hope to provide more details soon. Contact Michelle Frazier with any questions at michelle.frazier@state.mn.us.
DHS training opportunities
The DHS ICWA Unit continues to provide informational webinars as part of the ICWA Coffee Talk Series covering topics related to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), and Social Services Information System (SSIS). The next upcoming webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th from 10-11 a.m. on Adoptions and ICWA. Staff from the Permanency Support Unit will co-present this webinar with the ICWA Unit. Register here. If you have any questions, please reach out to eric.kratt@state.mn.us or SommerDey.Rosette@state.mn.us.
The DHS permanency quality assurance team has 2 upcoming WebEx-based training opportunities. These trainings will cover the TPLPC and Northstar Kinship Assistance processes for children in foster care and children’s social and medical histories. Dates, topics and registration links are as follows:
- April 22, 2021, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.: CSP 1201B: Permanency for Children in Foster Care: The Kinship Process
- May 20, 2021, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Social Medical Histories Training
For more information, visit Child protection, foster care, adoption: Training and scroll down to the section titled Conferences, trainings, and webinars. If you have any questions, contact northstar.benefits@state.mn.us.
Conferences and events
Registration is open for the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health virtual conference. The online conference will be held April 18-20, 2021, and will feature over 50 workshops that will be recorded and made available for 30 days to participants following the conference. David Williams, PhD, MPH, MA, will provide a keynote presentation on “Addressing racism to create healthy environments for all of our children.”
Other training opportunities
The MN ADOPT Education Program is offering FREE April webinars (excluding Beyond Consequences Series). Check it out here! One to highlight is: “Seven Core Issues in Kinship Families,” held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 10 a.m. Presented by Allison Maxon, M.S., LMFT, this webinar will present the Seven Core Issues for kinship families as a way to advocate and inform the community at large about the unique challenges, strengths, and needs of our kinship caregiving families. Register here.
MN ADOPT Education Program is also offering a free webinar from their webinar library, “Creating inclusive homes and services for LGBTQ+ youth in our care” by Eva Wood, Esq. Register here and use the code: A58QS9S5.
Who can be considered as “kin” for permanency placements and youth connections
County social services agencies can consider many individuals who have a current or previous connection with a child as relatives, or kin, when identifying permanent families and/or ongoing youth connections. Minnesota Statutes, section 260C.007, subd. 27, defines a relative as a person related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption; the legal parent, guardian, or custodian of the child’s siblings; or an individual who is an important friend with whom the child has resided or had significant contact.
Additionally, throughout the relative search process, permanent connections may be identified for a child that are not permanency options. Although an identified family may not be a permanency option, a positive connection or support may be appropriate for the child and should be considered.
Permanency support services available after permanency
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and it is important we work together to support families and prevent child maltreatment. The Department of Human Services contracts with many organizations to provide permanency support services that are available to assist children, youth, and families in the years following permanency. These services include assessments, family support, family coaching, camps, and family activities. Review more information on current permanency support services available here.
Fulfilling recruitment requirements using the State Adoption Exchange
For children under guardianship of the commissioner, who do not have an identified adoptive resource, county agencies are required to recruit an adoptive family. While county agencies are familiar with the requirement that children be registered on the State Adoption Exchange, it is important to note county agencies can request additional recruitment opportunities for children through the State Adoption Exchange as well. These opportunities include print media, Kid Connection, All About Me, and social media recruitment options.
Questions about recruitment opportunities available can be directed to Crystal Graves at crystal.graves@state.mn.us.
Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI) Family Finding Services
As noted in the February 2020 newsletter, the Minnesota Department of Human Services contracts with private child-placing agencies to provide adoption-related services to children under guardianship of the commissioner or tribal guardianship. As part of this service array, most of the private child-placing agencies contracted with the department are available to assist county and tribal workers in efforts to locate a permanent family. Child-specific recruitment services involve intensive efforts to identify an adoptive family. The child-specific recruiter develops a plan in partnership with the county or tribal agency, tailored to the needs of an individual child.
This child-specific recruitment plan can include a relative and kin search, as the Permanency Support Unit has a contract with Seneca Family Finding to provide relative search reports. These reports are available to the child-specific recruiter and the permanency team to assist in identifying permanent connections for a youth. These reports can be helpful to identify connections for a youth as possible permanency options, permanent connections or Lifebook information. Although this family finding search service is available as part of child-specific recruitment services, it is not required if a team does not feel it is appropriate.
For more information on all adoption services available through the PPAI program, please review Public Private Adoption Initiative fact sheet. Specific questions regarding PPAI can be directed to Michelle Frazier at michelle.frazier@state.mn.us.
Recruitment opportunities available
Recruitment opportunities for youth can be requested via the State Adoption Exchange registration form. The Minnesota Waiting Child option features a youth/child's photo and the public narrative in the newspaper. The Minnesota Waiting Child feature is also included on MN ADOPT's social media platforms and website. The State Adoption Exchange also has an option to sign up for Kid Connection and All About Me recruitment opportunities!
"It’s very easy to sign up through the State Adoption Exchange. Recruiting during a pandemic has been very challenging, but MN ADOPT has helped get my youth's information out to a larger group of families. I would definitely say my inquiries have increased because of the newspaper opportunities and the 'All About Me feature'." Kim M. - recruiter
For more information or questions, contact Kim Sacay at ksacay@mnadopt.org and check out the MN ADOPT Meet the Kids page for examples!
Peer support for mothers who have experienced a termination of parental rights
Bellis is hosting weekly gatherings exclusively for who have experienced permanent termination of parental rights. This is an opportunity to discuss grief, loss and what it means to walk through life as a mother whose children are parented by others. Individuals may register by visiting the Bellis website calendar or calling 952-944-0866.
Updated factsheet on parenting in racially and culturally diverse adoptive families
Child Welfare Information Gateway has updated the factsheet Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families. This factsheet for families provides information to help families support their child in developing a healthy and cultural identity and live a vibrant multicultural life. Check the Child Welfare Information Gateway website for more resources and information.
Ampersand Families employment opportunities
Ampersand Families provides permanency and adoption services to older youth and families who face barriers to equity in child welfare, and champions systemic changes that advance belonging, dignity and hope.
Ampersand Families has several open positions at this time. All position descriptions, including salary and benefit information, can be found on the Ampersand Families website here. The positions open are as follows:
- Family Services Director
- Family Support and Education Specialist
- Permanency Specialist/Adoption Worker – Youth Focused
- Permanency Specialist/Adoption Worker – Relative/Kin Focused
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