2025 Legislative Update:
The 2025 legislative session has been busy over here at Foster Advocates, and we are eager to send this update on all that we have been up to — as well as how you can support our advocacy at the Capitol!
Our testimony before the Legislative Task Force on Child Protection was a powerful start to the year. Our testifiers Mariah and Ayan shared what safety truly means to someone who has experienced foster care, something many have not considered, or put real thought into. We took the opportunity to invite folks in, and think about this population of Fosters differently, and how we can all do better by them.
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 was heard in the Senate Higher Education Committee this past Tuesday, March 25th. This bill 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!
ICYMI: The Imprint is continuing to cover this important issue.
We thank you for the support, and we will continue to keep you updated as we move forward this legislative session (Check out our socials for more frequent updates). If you have any questions, or would like to chat more, please contact Ariana Chamoun at ariana@fosteradvocates.org.
