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The Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson handles complaints from anyone, prioritizing concerns from young people about their rights, care, safety, and placement in Minnesota foster care, including youth in Extended Foster Care and those who have recently aged out of care. |
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Board Elections: this month the OOFY board met in person to elect co-chairs. We are excited to share that our first board co-chairs are Jasmine Clark and Kristy Snyder. This is a significant step for OOFY as we build the foundational pieces of our agency!
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Election Day is next week, November 5th. We encourage everyone to participate in the democratic process and share your voice. To find out where or how to vote, or to see a sample ballot, head to Minnesota Secretary Of State - Elections & Voting or call 651-215-1440 (Metro Area) or 1-877-600-VOTE (8683) (Greater MN).
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Board Openings
The Advisory Board for the Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson will have several seats opening in January 2025. Applications are open as of today, 10/31/24, through the Secretary of State’s office. Open seats include roles for:
- Adults Formerly in the Foster Care System
- Attorney Who Works in the Juvenile Court System or Family Court
- Nonprofit Professional
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Youth Who is Currently in the Foster Care System or Was Recently in the Foster Care System.
The OOFY Advisory Board is an integral part of our work and as part of the founding board, members have a unique opportunity to help shape a new agency. Meetings are held monthly; the upcoming schedule can be found here. Board members are compensated for their work. Please help us spread the word about our Advisory Board openings! Contact info.oofy@state.mn.us with questions.
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OOFY Quarterly Snapshot
We are excited to share our first OOFY quarterly report. From May through September:
- We reviewed 76 concerns from 27 counties.
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We had direct contact with Fosters* in nearly 20% of cases.
*OOFY uses the term “Foster," following the example of those with lived experience, to refer to people with experience in foster care, no matter their age or whether they reunited with family, were adopted, or aged out of foster care.
OOFY Staff Training
The OOFY team is busy taking advantage of training and development opportunities! Robin, our Intake & Administrative Specialist, started the Phoenix Learning Exchange (PLX) program through the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) in September; this program runs through May. The entire OOFY team attended basic training on Forensic Interviewing, collecting minimal facts, disclosure and recantation in October. In November our team will travel to the annual United States Ombudsman Association conference, to connect and learn with peers from across the nation.
We appreciate the opportunity to learn, grow, and network as we continue to build and grow our processes and approaches.
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Disclaimer: OOFY is excited to share opportunities that may be of interest to the Foster community, but does not endorse or assume any liability for participation in projects led by external entities.
From the Margins to the Center: How Youth Envision the Future of the Child Welfare System
Are you a current or former foster youth ages 18-25 identifying as an immigrant, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, Black, or a parent?
Are you willing to share your perspectives on reshaping the child welfare system and help researchers center youth voices?
Do you have ideas about how to create a better, more equitable system for diverse youth?
Researchers from Rutgers and Vanderbilt Universities are seeking current or former youth to interview about their experiences with the child welfare system and how they would reimagine the system if they could. They are specifically focusing on including the voices of those with lived experience.
Participants will be compensated with a $50 gift card for their time. Your contribution will be confidential. For more information, complete this survey and email marginstocenter@gmail.com with additional questions.
Power of Story: Understanding Barriers to Accessing Life History
Power Of Story seeks input from former and current foster youth about systemic blockages. Each participant will be paid $50 for their time and expertise in a one-hour phone or in-person interview.
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