Minnesota Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson

An ombudsman is a neutral party who investigates consumer complaints. They work with both the consumer and the organization to resolve consumer issues and improve customer service. MORE INFORMATION The office 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. Handles complaints for people in foster care regarding:

• Services receiving or should be receiving
• Rights that are being violated or ignored
• Concerns about living conditions

Listens to people in foster care about concerns

• Considers all sides of a question in an impartial way
• Provides information and resources
• Helps to answer questions about rights in foster care
• Investigates complaints in a fair and neutral manner
• Makes recommendations to agencies and workers
• Writes reports to the governor, legislature, and the public
• Follows requirements for confidentiality and data privacy
• Communicates what happens after a complaint is submitted

01/16/2026