Promoting foster care

To the Editor:

May is National Foster Care Month. The number of licensed county homes in Faribault and Martin Counties is at a critical low with only 12 providers who have active licenses in both counties. During National Foster Care month, I want to reach out to the community members in Faribault and Martin counties to ask if you would consider opening your hearts and homes to children in need.

Children who are unable to remain in their homes for whatever reason need to be moved to a safe, stable environment. Foster care is meant to be a temporary living arrangement for children whose parents are unable to care for them currently. Our agency works with families to try to prevent out-of-home placements, but when that is no longer an option, foster care is needed.

In 2020, in the state of Minnesota, about 4,800 children entered out-of-home placements. 27 percent of these placements were due to parental drug abuse. 13 percent were because of allegations of neglect. 7 percent were due to child mental health needs. Some children are placed in residential settings based upon a higher level of needs, however, 82 percent are in relative foster care. Placement with kin is preferred in order to help children maintain a sense of family, belonging, and identity. This option also reduces trauma to the children during an already unstable time in their lives.

However, relative placement is not always an option. This is where you come in. County foster homes work with the child foster care licensor in Faribault and Martin counties, which is Jen Nelson. Once you contact me to request an application packet, I will help guide you through the process of obtaining a child foster care license in the state of Minnesota. I will also be available to help you with any questions or concerns that you have prior to becoming licensed, and after; as I will remain your social worker while your license is active.

If you are not sure if you qualify for foster care, consider these requirements; You can be married or single. You can own or rent your home. You must be a resident of Faribault or Martin counties to work with our agency. You need to be 21 years of age or older and be able to pass a fingerprint background study. You must complete a series of pre-service trainings which will be provided to you by the county licensor. Finally, a thorough home safety inspection will be done in order to make sure your home meets all of Minnesota’s licensing requirements.

Licensed foster care providers work with our agency to assist in being a supportive connection between children and their families. The goal of foster care is to work with families to help them achieve reunification. The child’s case worker will begin to develop a Permanency Plan once the child goes into care. A team of professionals and other supportive people in the child’s life will work together to determine what the best permanency plan is for each individual child. If reunification is not possible, adoption, transfer of custody and other options are considered.

Finally, during National Foster Care Month our agency would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the amazing foster care providers, both past and present, who have given their time and energy; opened their hearts and homes; and worked with our agency to provide an invaluable service to children and families facing a very difficult time in their lives.

If you would like more information about foster care, or to request an application packet, please contact me at Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties. You can reach me at (507) 526-3265 or jen.nelson@fmchs.com.

Jen Nelson, BS

Child Foster Care Licensor

County Agency Social Worker

Human Services of Faribault & Martin Counties