All foster parents must participate in a minimum of six hours of orientation, as required by Minnesota rule 2960.3070. Most new foster parents must complete this orientation before getting any child placed with them. Relative foster placements must complete this orientation within 30 days of their initial relative placement.
Rules & Regulations
As a foster parent, there are Minnesota laws that you need to follow. You should read these laws to become familiar with them.
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ICWA & MN Indian family preservation act
American Indian children in the foster care system are protected by additional laws. The Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (state law) and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) apply to these children.
Read the law above or do the interactive training below.
The Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: 7WTVK Description: This interactive Nearpod presents history that lead up to passage of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act and key provision of the 2015 version of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. In encourages learners to reflect on the purposes of the act and its implications for their work in addition to the Indian children and families they work with. |
Read the summary of the law above or do the
interactive training below. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Format: 2+ hour Nearpod Code: TPWDG Description: This interactive Nearpod presents history that lead up to passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act, key provision of the 2016 ICWA Guidelines, potential benefits to Indian children when ICWA is implemented appropriately, and challenges that states have with implementing ICWA. |
foster care sibling bill of rights
All foster parents and foster children must know the foster care sibling bill of rights to ensure that they are being fulfilled. Review at least one of the materials below to learn about this topic.
Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: FSJBQ Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the legislative action creating the Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights, who needs to be informed of these rights, and the content of these rights. |
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foster care capacity
Foster home capacity will vary depending on such things as the number of adults on the foster care license, the number of bedrooms in the foster home, and how many other children are already living in the foster home. Consult the capacity chart below for some ideas and speak to your licensing worker about the specifics of your situation.
capacity_chart.pdf |
respite care policy
Foster parents must know about the requirements for respite care. Read the document below to learn about this.
respite_care_requirement.pdf |
Benefits, payments, & clothing allowance
Foster parents need to know about foster care subsidy rates for different situations and initial clothing allowances. Read the document below to learn about these topics.
2019_basic-supplemental-rates.pdf |
new foster parent agreement
All new foster parents need to review and sign the agreement below.
agreement_between_foster_parents_and_licensing_agency.pdf |
home safety checklist & fire plan
Foster homes need to be safe and healthy environments for foster children. Review the documents below and work with your licensing worker to make sure that your home meets these requirements.
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confidentiality policy
Work in the foster care system requires handling sensitive information about foster children and their families. Read the documents below to learn about confidentiality and protection of this sensitive information.
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foster care subsidies
Foster care subsidies are to be spent on the care of foster children, so are not considered income. Read the article below to find out more about this topic.
foster_care_subsidy_article.pdf |
mandated reporting
All new foster parents must complete training on reporting maltreatment of minors and vulnerable adults. The two trainings below were created by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the agency in charge of foster care in the state.
Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors in Minnesota
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: PNQCT Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses the responsibilities of mandated reporters for reporting maltreatment of minors (those under 18-years-old). It addresses statutory requirements for reporting, categories of maltreatment that must be reported, the reporting process and information that may be asked of the reporter, and possible pathways for reports that are either screened in or screened out. |
Vulnerable Adults Mandated Training
Format: about 60 minute DHS Online Training Registration: http://registrations.dhs.state.mn.us/WebManRpt/ Description: This online training is about the laws and system for reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. It describes relevant Minnesota laws, how to report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults, and provides examples and non-examples of maltreatment of vulnerable adults. This training has a post-test. If you achieve the required minimum score (80%) they will email you a copy of your certificate to turn into your licensing worker. |
Care for young children
Car Seat Safety
All new foster parents whose license will include fostering children under 9-years-old are required to take this car seat safety class. Click on the website link below for instructions on how to register for this required training.
Child Passenger Safety Class for Daycare/Foster Care (C.A.R.S)
Format: 3 hour in-person training Registration: go to https://www.orionassoc.net/training/child-passenger-safety-class-for-daycare-foster-care/ Description: This class uses curriculum approved by the state of Minnesota to satisfy legal requirements for training in how to safely transport children birth to nine-years-old. |
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Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
All new foster parents whose license allows them to serve foster children birth through five years of age must complete training in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. Complete one of the training options below to satisfy this requirement.
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Watch the three videos below and then take the post-test:
Safe Sleep for Your Baby
Format: 7 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video describes safe sleep practices for babies under one-year-old. It talks about what Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and when babies are most at risk for dying unexpectedly in their sleep. Safe Sleep Practices
Format: 6 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video discusses the investigation that happens when a baby dies during sleep. It provides descriptions of safe sleep practices and why they are important for preventing babies from dying during sleep. Safe Sleep
Format: 4 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video features a mother who lost her infant son from unsafe sleep practices in a daycare. Information about infant death investigations in Hennepin County is discussed, noting the unsafe sleep practices that were found to commonly contribute to the deaths. |
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: DBNRX Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). It talks about the different causes of death falling under the SUID umbrella, safe sleep practices for infants, and what can happen if safe sleep practices are not used with infants under one-year of age. |
suid_post_test.pdf |
Abusive Head Trauma
All new foster parents whose license allows them to serve foster children birth through five years of age must complete training in Abusive Head Trauma. Complete one of the training options below to satisfy this requirement.
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Watch the three videos below and then take the post-test:
Forever Shaken
Format: 33 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video shows the medical and developmental impacts of a baby being shaken. It follows families through their journeys in the hospital and as they begin to grow into childhood. Never Shake: Preventing
Format: 8 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video describes the impact that violent shaking of a baby on their brain. Medical professionals talk about why infants are vulnerable to brain injuries at their young age. The Doctors - Shaken Baby Simulator
Format: 2 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video shows the way that shaking a baby impacts their brain. It talks about what happens in the brain when a baby is shaken.
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Abusive Head Trauma: Prevention & Consequences
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: DLQZX Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on Abusive Head Trauma. It looks at why caregivers may shake their infants, as well as strategies that can be tried to calm crying infants and for the adult caregivers to safely take breaks when losing patience with an upset infant. The reasons why infants are particularly susceptible to abusive head trauma injuries and long-term consequences of these injuries is also shared. |
Cultural & gender diversity
Children enter foster care with different cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, and sexual orientation identities and continue to develop their identities while in foster care. It is important for foster parents to recognize such differences and support the healthy identity development of children in their care.
Introduction to Supporting Children's Identity Development
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod
Code: PWQUJ
Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces young people’s developing racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. It shares both children’s perspectives and those of adults reflecting back on influences from their youth. Suggestions are included for how to support children’s developing racial and ethnic identities in societal contexts in which negative messages about people of color are present.
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod
Code: PWQUJ
Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces young people’s developing racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. It shares both children’s perspectives and those of adults reflecting back on influences from their youth. Suggestions are included for how to support children’s developing racial and ethnic identities in societal contexts in which negative messages about people of color are present.
Normalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard
Normalcy & the Reasonable & Prudent Parent Standard
Format: 75 minute Nearpod
Code: DJHUB
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation features a video-taped state training about normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard. It goes through the state and federal laws about normalcy and reasonable and prudent parenting in foster care. The training explains why this training is required and gives examples of when normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard apply.
Format: 75 minute Nearpod
Code: DJHUB
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation features a video-taped state training about normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard. It goes through the state and federal laws about normalcy and reasonable and prudent parenting in foster care. The training explains why this training is required and gives examples of when normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard apply.
mental health
You must complete a minimum of two hours in this area. You can choose which training topic(s) are of most interest to you.
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Children and Mental Health
Format: 190-200 minute Nearpod Code: FTRPV Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation provides overviews of mental health and medical disorders that foster parents may encounter when working with children in the foster care system. Conditions that are addressed include ASD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, RAD, and FASD. Co-occurrence of disorders and treatment considerations are discussed. |
Children's Mental Health: Depression
Format: 75-85 minute Nearpod Code: AMZGN Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Depression as it appears in children and teens. It talks about the symptoms of depression, treatment options, ways that foster parents can support and encourage children with depression, signs of crisis and who to call, and additional supports and services that may be able to support a young person with depression at their school. |
Introduction to Historical Trauma
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: XFRBS Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the concept of historical trauma. It defines historical trauma, provides examples of models for how trauma is passed on through the generations, discusses how current experiences of microaggressions can perpetuate trauma cycles, talks about contemporary troubles associated with historical trauma, and presents strengths that can help children to overcome historical trauma. |
Childhood Trauma: Introduction to Toxic Stress
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: KXMLQ Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the concept of toxic stress. It looks at the development of children’s brains, the impact of stress on the human, and differentiates between normal stress and toxic stress. Participants view and learn about family situations where children do experience toxic stress as well as learn that healthy relationships can help buffer the stress that children experience. |
Childhood Trauma: Responding to Toxic Stress
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: LKGVJ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation discusses what makes stress toxic for children and how to create relational buffers to minimize the impact of stress on children’s development. The importance of nurturing relationships and skill-building in adults are highlighted as strategies to reduce the burden of toxic stress. |
Childhood Trauma: Domestic Violence
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod Code: IOJHW Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children’s brains. Through narrative and research, it explores the cognitive and behavioral impact of domestic violence and how healthy relationships with adults can help build resiliency for children who have experienced trauma. |
Childhood Trauma: Impact of Parental Incarceration
Format: 140-150 minute Nearpod Code: WDGRO Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the impact of parental incarceration on young people. It presents traumatic impacts of parental incarceration, effects of those traumas on children’s development, and things that caregivers and programs can do to support children whose parent(s) are incarcerated. Resources for address the topic of parental incarceration with children are also provided. |
Childhood Trauma: Sexual Abuse
Format: 85-95 minute Nearpod Code: RCJTP Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the impact of childhood sexual abuse. It looks at characteristics of perpetrators of sexual abuse of children and the long-term health impact of such abuse. Historical concerns with sexual abuse of Native American children are presented along with more contemporary concerns. |
Children's Mental Health: ADHD
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: VLOUR Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). It talks about the brain-based nature of the condition, common symptoms, treatment options, and behaviors that caregivers can do to help children with ADHD to successfully focus and complete tasks. |
Preventing Youth Suicide
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: RSMCP Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on youth suicide prevention. It shows a variety of experiences—those of a youth who had attempted suicide, those of a parent who lost their son to suicide, and those of a mental health professional. Warning signs for suicidal ideation, the important of breaking the stigma around suicide, and ways to support someone who is thinking about suicide are shared. |
Kind Hearted Woman
Format: 293 minute PlexTV
Log-in: check with licensing worker
Description: This video documentary follows a young mother from Spirit Lake Nation as she works to overcome her own history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and alcohol addiction to be a good mother to her two children. She faces battles with herself, her ex-husband and his family, the tribe's social services, a new romantic relationship, and more as she strives for stability and a healthy future for her children and herself. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
Format: 293 minute PlexTV
Log-in: check with licensing worker
Description: This video documentary follows a young mother from Spirit Lake Nation as she works to overcome her own history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and alcohol addiction to be a good mother to her two children. She faces battles with herself, her ex-husband and his family, the tribe's social services, a new romantic relationship, and more as she strives for stability and a healthy future for her children and herself. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
mental_health_post_test.pdf |
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Upper Midwest American Indian Center requests that you complete one training in this area. You can choose which training is of most interest to you.
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FASD: Children's Perspectives
Format: 95-105 minute Nearpod Code: FMGUJ Description: This interactive Nearpod presents Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from the perspectives of individuals living with FASD and their close family members. Three stories are presented: Natalie, a six-year-old; two teenagers, Morgan and Chris; and Myles, a young adult. |
FASD: Recovering Hope
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: MQUAH Description: This interactive Nearpod presents the documentary “Recovering Hope” about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its effects on children and birth mothers. A variety of topics are addressed, such as how alcohol interacts with a fetus prenatally, identification of FASD, areas of impact of FASD on children’s development, maternal shame, getting children’s educational needs addressed, and building support systems. |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Format: 74 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video taped presentation describes the features of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and how they develop across time. The presenter is the adoptive mom of a girl with FASD and discusses how some of the features have showed up in her daughter and the process she has taken to address her daughter's needs. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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The Mystery of Risk: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Attachment
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: IMFEN Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It looks at the ways that prenatal exposure to alcohol impact the developing brain and how this brain damage can negatively impact learning and the development of healthy attachments with caregivers. Caregiver strategies are suggested for use with infants and children with FASD. |
FASD and the Foster/Adoptive Family
Format: 100-110 minute Nearpod Code: CYBHA Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It features a presentation by an adoptive mother of multiple children with FASD who shares her experiences with getting correct diagnosis and caring for children who received prenatal alcohol exposure. Physical and mental characteristics common in children with FASD are discussed along with strategies that have been helpful in facilitating children’s learning and success in daily living activities. |