The Adolescent Services Unit within the current Department of Human Services (and future Department of Children, Youth, and Families) assists youth ages 14 to 26 who have experienced child welfare involvement. This includes programs such as:
Funding for post-secondary education
Extended foster care for youth ages 18 through 21
Successful Transition to Adulthood for Youth (STAY) Program
The Office of Higher Education oversees the Fostering Independence Grants program, which may cover the cost of attending any public, and some private colleges and universities in Minnesota, for Minnesota residents who are under age 27 and were in foster care at any point after their 13 th birthday. Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants (state.mn.us)
Community Agencies
There are several Minnesota organizations that specifically and exclusively provide services to current and former foster youth.
Foster Advocates was founded in 2018 to address the lack of advocacy organizations working to improve the foster care space in Minnesota. As the only organization in the state focused on systems change directed by and for Fosters, we create a unique and outsized impact through: Research, Reform, and Relationships
Connections 2 independence (C2i) has a mission to provide unique programming and advocacy for foster care youth, ages 14–24, to promote a successful and healthy transition to living independently as they reach adulthood.
Children’s Law Center (CLC) provides free legal advocacy for foster care youth in Minnesota. CLC advocates for foster children through systemic reform and provides free legal representation services to foster children. CLC also trains volunteer attorneys to represent foster children in court.
Foster Advocates and Connections 2 independence (C2i) both maintain comprehensive resource pages/guides geared towards current and former foster youth:
