|
|
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.
|
|
Federal Shutdown Resources |
|
|
DCYF made this webpage to share the latest news about how the shutdown affects benefits:
|
|
Foster Advocates has shared this running list of emergency food resources during the SNAP benefit disruption:
|
|
|
OOFY is excited to share our research on Extended Foster Care (EFC) conducted by ChildTrends. Twenty-eight Fosters shared their perspectives on EFC including three main recommendations:
- Start talking about Extended Foster Care early, often, and through multiple channels.
-
Streamline enrollment and service delivery so Fosters can focus on their
education, career, and self-sufficiency goals.
-
Support Fosters' journey to self-sufficiency through supportive, nonjudgmental conversations that prepare Fosters for life as young adults.
The full report will be on our website in November.
|
|
This month, OOFY had the privilege of coordinating the keynote speaker panel for the 2025 Permanency & Child Welfare Fall Conference, Connecting the Dots, Completing the Circle. In this panel, facilitated by Ombudsperson Misty Coonce, five Foster professionals, leaders, and advocates took to the stage to share their expertise regarding their experiences with permanency, or lack thereof.
Huge thanks to the wonderful panelists: Ada Smith, Renee Booth, Vivian Dudley, El Humphrey, and Erin Gantz.
Thank you, CASCW for having us, and deepest gratitude to the Foster leaders who took the time to provide their expertise.
Photo credit Kaia Forde
|
|
|
|
Foster youth deserve relationships with their siblings, no matter whether those siblings are in foster care or not. Read the Imprint's coverage of OOFY's report on sibling connections here.
|
|
Three OOFY staff traveled to Colorado for the US Ombudsman Association Annual Conference. We were glad to connect with our ombuds colleagues and discuss best practices so that we may most effectively serve Minnesota's foster youth!
|
|
Community Opportunities
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.
|
|
The African American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council is seeking applicants for open council seats. Among other roles, there are two Foster-specific seats, for Current Or Former Foster Youth Who Are Representative Of Communities Of African Heritage.
The Council advises the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on policies and practices that promote equitable, culturally responsive approaches to child and family wellbeing for African American and African-heritage communities.
The council is seeking committed individuals from a variety of backgrounds who bring lived, professional, or community experience related to the well-being of African American children and families. They especially encourage applications from professionals in the following areas:
-
Education (K–12 and higher education)
-
Health and mental health (medical, behavioral, or public health)
-
Child welfare and family services
-
Community-based and faith-based organizations
-
Housing and economic stability
-
Fathers and family engagement
-
Youth development and advocacy
Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter through the Secretary of State’s website. The Council requests that you submit a Council Application Addendum as your cover letter. Please contact Susan McPherson at Susan.McPherson@state.mn.us for the addendum and for questions.
The application deadline is 11/5/25, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
|
|
|
The Cannabis Advisory Council is looking for people to fill two open seats:
Youth (age 18–24) Who Have Been Disproportionately Affected by Cannabis or Cannabis Use, or Who Have an Immediate Family Member Who Was Negatively Affected by Cannabis Use.
One seat is for someone who lives inside the 7-county metro area, and the other seat is for someone who lives outside the metro area.
|
DCYF is seeking youth input for their work to develop a Strategic Plan around community engagement. The department is working with Chapin Hall, a policy research institution in Chicago that focuses on child welfare and family well-being. They are looking for up to 20 youths to participate by attending one virtual meeting. A $100 Visa gift card will be provided.
|
|
|
|
