Exploring Minnesota's Foster Care System

Members of the Senate Health, Human Services and Housing Committee met Tuesday, November 3, to hear testimony about the status of Minnesota's foster care system. Prior to the hearing, committee chair, Senator Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato, commented on what the committee was hoping to learn about the system and also what concerns lawmakers may have about recent problems.

The Department of Human Services provided committee members with a broad overview of the system, including how families are selected and what happens when a child is placed into foster care. The committee also listened to a review of the county foster care system and heard public testimony from related groups and individuals closely involved in the system, such as foster care parents and a former foster care child.

Department of Human Services statistics point out that 12,000 Minnesota children are in out-of-home care, and 9,000 of them are placed with foster families. "Our goal is to provide a reliable system for our children," Jim Koppel, Assistant Commissioner for Children and Family Services, said.

The need for more family foster homes was a reoccurring theme throughout the hearing. Why more families do not become foster families, and why some do not stay in the system were common questions. Lawmakers and state and county officials will continue their efforts to better understand and improve the overall foster care system.