Minnesota families who adopted children from foster care in the past year and those considering adopting foster children will have a chance to celebrate and learn more at an upcoming free event.
The 27th annual “Celebrate Adoption: Circus of the Heart” event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Attractions in the fair’s North End Events Center will include arcade games, crafts, prizes, music, mascots, clay art, henna art, face painting, outdoor activities and photo opportunities. Parking is free.
Adoption experts will also be available to answer questions about adoption from foster care.
The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Foster Adopt Minnesota and other partners.
“Every child deserves a permanent family and the chance to thrive in a nurturing and stable home,” said DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown. “Adoption is a lifeline for children who have faced the hardships of family separation. While we must recognize the challenges and trauma that come with these experiences, we also celebrate the strength of new families.”
More information is in a DCYF news release.
Medicare open enrollment began on Oct. 15. There are big changes that beneficiaries should know about for 2025.
Starting in January, some health care providers may no longer be “in-network” for certain Medicare Advantage Plans. New benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act also kick in, such as a new maximum $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on Part D prescription drugs and a new payment plan option to make paying for prescriptions more manageable.
Changes in Medicare Advantage plans mean an estimated 60,000 Minnesotans currently have providers, clinics and hospitals that will no longer be in-network. Some beneficiaries will have to change doctors or change their Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment to get their health care coverage back in sync.
“Each year, we urge Minnesotans to review their Medicare options to make sure their coverage will fit their needs for the coming year,” said Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “This year, it’s even more important to make sure that your doctors and clinics are still covered and that your coverage is affordable and meets your personal needs.”
Open enrollment, which runs through Dec. 7, is the time each year when beneficiaries can make adjustments to their Medicare plans.
More information is in a Minnesota Board on Aging news release.
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