2025 Legislative Agenda and Updates
2025 Legislative Priority:
Creating a Special Revenue Fund for FIG
It is an unfortunate reality that we as a society invest so little in Fosters’ wellbeing and futures, and so many Fosters are left with little opportunity to even dream. But there is one initiative that has changed that for nearly 700 Minnesota Fosters, and that is the Fostering Independence Grants (FIG). The impact and need of this program became abundantly clear, when at the beginning of the 2024 Legislative Session, we learned FIG was facing a $5 million budget shortfall.
Many Fosters courageously stepped up and shared their stories with legislators, and on the impact FIG has had on their lives. It was a beautiful win. We knew then this one time funding would get us through the current academic year, but we also knew we had to begin crafting potential solutions. After some much needed rest and summer sunshine we proceeded to do just that.
SF2597 would establish a special revenue fund for the Fostering Independence Grants (FIG), to ensure its ongoing sustainability and most importantly, ensure Minnesota continues to fulfill the promise we made to young people back in 2021.
We need your help!
To our incredible Foster leaders: we have been honored to meet with many of you, and hear your excitement and connection to FIG. There are many stories, and each of those stories are invaluable. Foster Advocates would like to invite you to share your story, in whatever way is meaningful to you, so we can share with the decision makers who need to hear them.
To our fierce community partners: legislators need to hear from you too! We know getting through high school and to and through college is half the battle. It takes supportive adults like you and the additional resources you provide for our students to thrive. We welcome your stories as well, and hope you will share with others in your network.
We know you are busy, so we made it short and sweet for you. Share your FIG impact story with the form below, and Foster Advocates will take care of the rest!
We are also supporting:
Ongoing Efforts to Protect Federal Benefits for Foster Youth: Following the release of the state report, a result of our 2022 advocacy, we continue to consult with legislators on next steps. Foster Advocates has sought an immediate end to federal benefits being stolen from Fosters since 2022, with the ultimate goal of all federal benefits owed to eligible Fosters to be collected and saved for their future. This report is a huge step, as is the benefits notification law from 2024. We know this is a complicated issue, and that doesn’t mean we should do nothing. It is possible for Minnesota to stop, right now, the immediate harm happening to Fosters who are being made to cover the cost of their own care, while working on the longer-term steps to do right by these and future Fosters.
Foster Bill of Rights: Minnesota is one of only 5 states that does not have a foster youth bill of rights in statute, code, or agency policy. Led by the Ombuds Office for Foster Youth (OOFY), the goal of this bill is to provide a clear, consolidated bill of rights that ensures that everyone, in every county in Minnesota, is operating from the same standard to ensure clarity on the protections for young people who are often the most vulnerable.
Increased investment for the Successful Transitions to Adulthood for Youth (STAY) Program. This is the only state program that offers designated funds to counties and nonprofits to provide independent living services and financial support to eligible youth ages 14 up to age 23 in their transition to adulthood. As a state we have not increased our investment in nearly 20 years. This creates a significant gap and need for our community.
Changing the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program to opt-out. This program allows eligible Fosters to receive additional county support and financial assistance up to age 21. The proposed change would provide more clarity and agency for young people, and ensure all eligible Fosters are able to tap into this much needed benefit.