Minnesota Promise

Thank you to all our Minnesota Promise participants from across the state!

We are excited to be working on our next stage of Minnesota Promise, analyzing all the data from the sessions over the past 18 months. Sign up for our listserv to stay tuned on updates as we get closer to launching Fosters’ Minnesota Promise vision this fall!

Questions about Minnesota Promise? Reach out to elena@fosteradvocates.org

Minnesota makes Fosters a promise when the state removes us from our homes, promising that we’ll be better taken care of in state care than we would be in our families of origin. But for so many of our Foster leaders, this promise has not been met individually, even related to their most basic needs. Data shows it is not being met for our broader community, as Fosters are not afforded the same economic, educational, and work outcomes as our peers.

What would it look like if Fosters had all of their rights met? What would it look like if Minnesota fulfilled its promise to Fosters?

Minnesota Fosters—We want to hear from you!

MN Promise Virtual Sessions

After conducting statewide in-person sessions throughout 2023, beginning in 2024 we’ll be hosting virtual sessions to hear from Fosters on what it would mean for the state to meet its promise. We want to hear from you on challenges you faced in the child welfare system and hear your ideas and vision for systems change!

  • Our virtual sessions are focused for Fosters who experienced out-of-home-placement in Minnesota foster care (whether you experienced reunification, adoption, are currently in EFC, or aged out).

    For our 18-28 year old sessions (general and for Native Fosters), if you are temporarily living out of state (example, for college) but experienced care in Minnesota, you are eligible to sign up. paragraph break For our 28 year and older session, you must currently live in Minnesota and experienced out-of-home placement as a child.

    The Native Fosters session is open both to those with tribal citizenship and ICWA/MIFPA case connections and those without tribal citizenship. paragraph break Younger than 18? While you are not eligible to sign up for these sessions, please reach out to us! We have other opportunities for you to connect with MN Promise and Foster Advocates.

  • We have held nine in-person sessions across the state. Our final virtual sessions will all be held over zoom. While not required, a computer or tablet will make engaging in virtual session activities much easier!

  • Each session will prove a $125 stipend and food gift card. For parents, we can support with a childcare stipend with advance notice.

  • Our staff will be organizing everything shared at the sessions into a comprehensive vision for systems change. When we have a draft of that report, we’ll hold a feedback session with MN Promise participants to make sure we got it right! Our Community Board will provide final approval before we launch our MN Promise vision and advocacy campaign in ~fall 2023

  • Reach out to info@fosteradvocates.org with specific questions.

    We’ll update this page with frequently asked questions.

Previous Sessions:

Mankato region: In November, Fosters from Blue Earth, Nicollet and surrounding counties participated in our last in-person listening session for 2023! Thank you to Sauer Family Foundation for funding this work and to Cultivate Mankato for hosting.

Rochester region: In November, Fosters from Olmstead and surrounding counties gathered to share their experiences in care. Thank you to Sauer Family Foundation for funding this work and to Quarry Hill Nature Center for hosting.

Moorhead region: In October, Fosters from Clay and surrounding counties provided insight to systems improvement. Thank you to Sauer Family Foundation for funding this work and to MSU Moorhead for hosting.

Duluth region: In October, Fosters from St Louis and surrounding counties shared their vision for systems change. Thank you to the Ordean Foundation for funding this work and to Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation for event and organizing support as well as AICHO for hosting.

Bemidji region: In September, Fosters from Beltrami and surrounding counties shared their experiences towards a comprehensive vision for justice. Thank you to Sauer Family Foundation for funding this work and to Headwaters Music and Arts for hosting.

St. Cloud region: In March, Fosters from Stearns and surrounding counties shared their expertise and ideas. Thank you to the Initiative Foundation for funding this work and to St. Cloud State University for hosting.

East Metro: In December, Fosters from the East Metro joined us for our second public listening session! Huge thanks Ramsey County for fiscal support and to Indigenous Roots for hosting.

West Metro: Huge thanks to the University YMCA for hosting and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota for sponsoring our West Metro session in October! We had 15 powerful Fosters from across the West Metro share their expertise and ideas. What a great kick-off to our public campaign!

Test Session: In August, we conducted a test session with Community Board members in preparation for launching our MN Promise campaign. Thank you to the Graves Foundation for hosting us in your community room!