Mission, Vision, and Values

OOFY Mission and Vision

In line with our statutory authority (Sec. 260C.82 MN Statutes), we investigate decisions, acts, and other matters related to the health, safety, and welfare of youth in foster care to promote the highest attainable standards of competence, efficiency, and justice for youth who are in the care of the state.

OOFY Values

We Center Fosters First
Our work begins and ends with Fosters—people who have too often felt unheard in systems meant to support them. Centering Fosters means we start conversations and decisions grounded in what matters most to them.

We Work with Care
Care is the method we bring to all of our work—with Fosters, colleagues, partners, and ourselves. Working with care means balancing urgency with humanity so our impact supports, not harms.

We Say What’s True
We speak with transparency and integrity. Honesty builds confidence, not harm.

We Fix the Root, Not Just the Branches
We use what we learn—from Fosters, partners, data, and our own practice—to guide meaningful change.

We See the Whole Person
When people are seen, included, and valued, belonging is felt and fairness becomes possible—the conditions that allow equity to emerge as an outcome of our daily practice.