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Content submission deadline: July 21, 2022
Submit ideas, articles, and feedback on the Permanency Support Update via email: Contracts.Adoption.DHS@state.mn.us
The Permanency Support Update is a collaborative effort by Permanency Support unit staff.
On June 2, 2022, Governor Walz signed HF 4065 (3rd Engr.) into law (see Session Law Chapter 98 for full text). Article 8 contains several provisions that will impact permanency practice. More guidance will be issued in the coming months. In the meantime, here are some of the changes most likely to impact permanency:
- The definition of relative in Chapter 260C was modified to be more inclusive of culturally- and family-defined relatives, acknowledging that many people consider close friends, religious advisors, and other individuals with whom they have significant relationships to be part of their family and kin network despite not being legal, biological, or marital relatives. Foster and adoptive placement consideration order for relatives was also updated to reflect this modified definition.
- The relative search section (Minn. Stat., section 260C.221) was restructured and amended to clarify the various points of the relative search process and what is required at each point. Additionally, this section and other sections were modified to ensure greater court oversight of relative search efforts, and to clarify that such requirements cannot be waived or relieved in their entirety (except when Safe Place for Newborns applies).
- Clarifying language was added to ensure out-of-home placement plans are individualized to the needs of a child and their family, and to allow inclusion of support persons from the child’s extended family, kin network, and community. Additionally, statute governing court reviews of these plans was modified to require courts to consider whether services and actions were individualized and selected collaboratively with the child and family. For children whose permanency plan is adoption, “consideration of relatives for adoptive placement” was added as an example of child-specific recruitment efforts.
- Sections related to foster and adoptive placement decision making were clarified to ensure placement decisions are made according to all of the items in the placement decision section, not just the “best interest factors.” Such items include relative and sibling placement considerations. Additionally, the “best interest factors” were also updated to clarify that they are to be considered as a whole, that one factor cannot be used to the exclusion of all others, and that the child’s current and future needs and relationships must be taken into consideration when making foster and adoptive placement decisions.
- Various sections were updated to clearly state that agencies must continue to engage and consider relatives even after findings are made regarding reasonable efforts at completing the initial relative search, that relatives can change their mind about wanting to be a permanent resource for a child, and that relatives ruled out as foster care placements can still be considered for adoption.
- The permanency preference for termination of parental rights and adoption, or guardianship to the commissioner through a parent’s consent to adopt, was deleted. The new permanency preference is “permanency placement with a relative.”
- Requirements for filing motions for adoptive placements were amended to allow relatives and foster parents to file such motions even if they do not have an approved adoption home study, as long as they submit an affidavit signed by the agency completing the study, and to further specify procedures and timelines for hearing and granting such motions.
- Agency record keeping requirements for adoptive placement decisions were amended to include the agency’s consideration of relatives for adoptive placement.
A new documentation requirement was added to the Northstar Adoption Assistance eligibility determination, if agency staff select that a child is at risk of developing a disability during childhood. Under the Required Documents tab, there is only one option that agency staff can select. However, it is important to indicate whether documentation was already submitted (for example, a child’s social and medical history that was submitted at the time of the Adoption Placement Agreement), or if documentation will be submitted as part of the eligibility determination (for example, a child’s Part C Individual Family Service Plan, or IFSP, indicating they are at risk of developing a disability). There should not be a change in practice; rather, this added item helps ensure there is a record regarding how the child’s at-risk status was verified.
The removal condition of “Safe Place for Newborns relinquishment of parental rights” must only be used when Safe Place for Newborns applies. It is very important that this option is selected only in this instance, as this data is used to report on infants relinquished via Safe Place for Newborns provisions.
For Safe Place for Newborns to apply, the following criteria must be met:
- The infant must have been born within 7 days of being left with an employee at a designated safe place.
- The infant must not be harmed.
- The infant must be anonymously relinquished so that information about their identity is not known.
We have seen several instances where the Safe Place for Newborns removal condition is listed for infants and children who do not meet these criteria. Do not use Safe Place for Newborns as a removal condition when:
- Infants are placed on holds due to:
- Their parent having prior involuntary terminations of parental rights or transfers of custody
- Possible or confirmed prenatal exposure
- Open child protection or foster care placements for their sibling/s.
- A parent wishes to voluntarily terminate their parental rights, and the parent’s identity is known. This includes when a parent gives birth in a hospital and does not want to parent their newborn.
- An infant is abandoned, rather than relinquished to an employee at a designated safe place. For example, Safe Place for Newborns does not cover situations where infants are left at churches, fire halls, or police stations, or when infants are dropped off at a designated safe place but without a safe place employee’s involvement (e.g., “baby boxes”).
For more information on Safe Place for Newborns, including when it does or does not apply, see bulletin #21-68-16, Overview of Safe Place for Newborns Law.
The Permanency Support unit offers trainings several times a year regarding Northstar Adoption Assistance, Northstar Kinship Assistance, and other topics pertaining to permanency. If these offerings do not meet your agency’s needs, please reach out to the Permanency Quality Assurance Team (PQAT) to request trainings or suggest training topics that would benefit your permanency work.
PQAT also offers technical assistance for the permanency process including policy questions, case consultations, the Northstar eligibility process, and document requirements.
Training requests, training suggestions, and requests for technical assistance can be sent to PQAT at northstar.benefits@state.mn.us.
Within the Permanency Support unit, we are working on developing regional training related to the MAPCY. Until that process is developed, agencies may request MAPCY training and technical assistance by reaching out directly to Jody McElroy at jody.mcelroy@state.mn.us, mn.mapcy@state.mn.us or by calling 651-431-4730.
To assist agencies in their work with the Social and Medical History for a Child in Foster Care document (DHS-6754A-ENG), that is required when children and youth remain in foster care past 6 months and when they are in need of permanency, we are including a series of articles to provide guidance on expectations and helpful hints for completing the document.
Topic: Section G: Medical and social history information for child’s birth parents and birth relatives
When providing information in this section, describe the child’s biological parents and relatives but do not include identifying information. You can accomplish this by either not including any identifying information or by redacting this information before the document is shared with others. Just as in other sections of the document, do not leave any blank spaces and utilize other documents as needed to complete the information to the best of your ability. For example, the child’s birth certificate (parent’s birthplace), medical documents (height & weight), pictures on social media (eye color, hair color, distinguishing characteristics, interests, etc.), visitation records (interactions between parent and child) and/or court documents (occupation, history) may provide valuable information.
For youth who are relying on this document to provide them with information about their biological families, missing information can affect their identity development and leave them with questions about why the information was not provided. If information is unknown, include the reason that you were unable to provide the information instead of leaving a blank space. The origin of the information should also be noted if not obtained from the biological parent directly. For example, “father did not cooperate with case planning but paternal grandmother provided that he completed high school and works as a mechanic”.
Any family medical history concerns should also be recorded in this section as the child may not have access to their family medical history by any other means. If you have knowledge of any medical concerns, check the appropriate box and provide the person’s relation to the child on the document. Even if a child is being adopted by a relative, the document must be completed with the same thoroughness as for any other - type of adoptive placement. child Lastly, include information about the people most important to the child and include what the nature of the relationship looked like at the time that the document was completed.
Next month’s topic: Section H: Attachments to Social and Medical History
The Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program and the Minnesota Fostering Independence Grant program work together to benefit eligible youth. Those eligible for ETVs are also eligible for Fostering Independence Grants. ETV awards are made first, then Fostering Independence Grants. Youth not eligible for ETVs may still be eligible for Fostering Independence Grants.
If a youth applies to a Fostering Independence Grant Participating College or University and answers ‘yes’ on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when asked if they were in foster care at age 13 or older, they are automatically considered for an ETV award and a Fostering Independence Grant. No application is needed. If a youth applies to a school that is not a Fostering Independence Grant Participating College or University, they must submit an ETV application to be considered for an ETV award. They are not eligible for a Fostering Independence Grant.
For questions about ETV, email DHS.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us. For questions about Fostering Independence Grants, email info.ohe@state.mn.us.
MN ADOPT Back to School Shopping event
Summer just started, but MN ADOPT is gearing up for the Back to School Shopping event. This opportunity is for children in foster care who are registered on the State Adoption Exchange (SAE). Each child will receive a $200 Visa gift card to pick out new clothing before heading back to school. MN ADOPT is collaborating with the MN Sheriff’s Association to help shop. Register a child here; registration closes at the end of July. Gift cards will be mailed out in August to the chaperone’s address as indicated on the registration form. More details will be provided, but please email BTS@mnadopt.org with any questions.
Children’s Bureau accepting nominations for 2022 Adoption Excellence Awards
The Adoption Excellence Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in achieving permanency for America's children waiting in foster care. An annual program that grew out of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, these awards honor States, local agencies, private organizations, courts, businesses, individuals, and families making key contributions to increasing the number of children from foster care who are adopted or placed in other permanent homes.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit the Adoption Excellence Awards webpage. Nominations must be received by June 30, 2022.
New federal benefit to lower cost of broadband service
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service. For more information and full details, visit the FCC website.
Registration is open for the 2022-23 PACC and PLX cohorts
The Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) is a cohort-based training that enhances permanency and adoption competence for professionals working across child welfare and mental health settings. The program offers over 70 Social Work Continuing Education Hours, including the 2 hours of Ethics required in Minnesota. Professionals who are in a child welfare role at a Minnesota county agency may be eligible for a scholarship.
Coursework is a hybrid of independent online learning, interactive classroom sessions, and case consultation. Training schedule, pace and assignments are designed for participants with full-time employment. Visit https://paccminnesota.com/training/ to learn more and apply.
The Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX) certificate program incorporates face-to-face classroom instruction and discussion with online supplemental coursework and practice consultation to guide the learning experience. Completion of this certificate program will provide learners with knowledge, skills, practice opportunities and a supportive multidisciplinary community in which to learn and collaborate. Learners will develop a deeper understanding of adolescent development, issues and challenges facing youth in systems, and increasing positive engagement and supportive relationships between youth and the people who serve them. Participants will earn 55.5 CEU from the Board of Social Work. New this year! The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy is providing scholarship funding to cover the cost of this program for professionals employed by a Minnesota county in a child welfare role (child protection, foster care, permanency/adoption). Contact the program coordinator for information about how to apply for one of these free spots (less $40 registration fee).
To participate, participants need to have earned a BA/BS degree or have 5 years or more of work experience with adolescents/youth. For the purposes of applying skills learned in the classroom, participants should also currently have a professional role where they are in contact with adolescents/youth involved in or at risk of being involved in child welfare/juvenile justice. Visit https://phoenixlx.com/training/ to learn more and apply.
The schedule for the Summer Training Series from Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) is now available online. This series runs from June through August and features workshops on OCD and anxiety, supporting LGBTQ+ youth, suicide prevention, disability justice, cultural responsiveness, and more. Up to 28 CEHs are available.
The annual North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) 2022 conference will be held virtually this year from July 19-22, 2022. Scholarships are available for adoptive, foster, and kinship parents and child welfare professionals who live in Minnesota. Learn more and register here.
Children’s Home Society is offering foster care adoption education classes online in July 2022 and August 2022.
The 34th Annual Childhood Trauma and Attachment Conference from ATTACh will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2022, in Anaheim, CA. Learn more and register here.
The Adoption Medicine Clinic Symposium “Helping Children Thrive” will be held on Monday, July 18, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., both in person and virtual attendance options are available. Find more information and register here.
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DHS:
- Continuous Quality Improvement Manager (Human Services Manager 2; job ID: 56541)
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Ampersand Families:
- Permanency Specialist-Clinical Supports
- Relative Search and Engagement Specialist
- Development Director
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Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy
- Curriculum Developer (Education Program Specialist 1; job ID: 348015)
- Community Trainer, Sexually Exploited Youth (SEY) (job ID: 348582)
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