Child protection, foster care, adoption: eDocs, forms and documents

This page has links to some of the most frequently used forms, brochures, applications and other items from eDocs, the department's digital library.

Child protection

eDocs selections on child protection

Foster care

Foster care casework forms
Home Study Agency Process Checklist DHS-4258C should be used when completing and documenting the home study process.

Other frequently used forms:
Home study assessment and update forms
Forms for foster care and adoption
- The Minnesota Adoption and Child Foster Care Application DHS-4258A (PDF) and the Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Individual Fact Sheet DHS-4258B (PDF) must be sent to the local county social service agency or the private child placing agency.
- Health Plan Notification of Foster Care and Child Protection Placement with Authorization Form DHS-5275 (PDF)

Adolescent services

Education and Training Vouchers
Current and former foster youth can get up to $5,000 per school year for post-secondary education at colleges, universities, vocational, technical or trade schools. The Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) provides the funds.
- Money for college for foster youth DHS-5339L, (PDF)
- Online application DHS-5339, (PDF) accepted July 1 to June 30 annually
- Education and Training Program guidelines DHS-5339M, (PDF)
- Education and Training Program Expense Guidelines DHS-5339B, (PDF) to help applicants with budgeting
- if youth have experienced a foster care placement in another state, verify placement information using the Education and Training Voucher Verification of Eligibility, DHS-5339A (PDF)
For more information about the program is one the Education and Training Voucher Program ETV page, or contact dhs.etvcoordinator@state.mn.us; or 651-431-4663.
Helping youth transition into Adulthood
Working with LGBTQA youth in out-of-home care

Although strides have been made to lessen discrimination against minority sexual orientations, there remains both a lack of knowledge about, and some active negative bias towards those who identify on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally spectrum. The Working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning/queer youth DHS-6500 (PDF) practice guide is intended to increase the awareness, knowledge and skills of social workers and administrators in the child welfare system so they may effectively and competently meet the needs of LGBTQA youth and their families.

Adoption and kinship care

eDocs selections on adoption
Brochures
Fact sheets
Forms
Reports
Web resources
- AdoptUSKids, a project of the U.S. Children's Bureau to raise awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families and to support states, territories, and tribes in efforts to find families for children in foster care. AdoptUSKids hosts a national photo-listing of waiting children, and the National Resource Center for Diligent Recruitment.
- Annie E. Casey Foundation, a private foundation that works to support the needs of vulnerable children and families and includes the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, which focuses on permanency for older youth and adolescent brain development.
- Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA), facilitates administration of ICAMA to support adoptions that cross state lines. See AAICAMA's webpages on guardianship assistance, Medicaid, and adoption assistance.
- Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children helps ensure that all states conform to procedures designed to promote the best interest of children who are sent to or received from one state to another for adoption.
- The Benefits Information Portal (BiP), from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, works to help more than 4,500 Minnesota families grow strong through adoption and kinship care.
- Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare at the University of Minnesota
- Child Welfare Information Gateway, a website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides information and resources on a variety of topics in child welfare, including adoption, kinship care, and permanency
- Child Welfare League of America, a coalition of private and public agencies serving vulnerable children and families.
- Foster Adopt Minnesota, contracted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide services and supports to preadoptive, adoptive, and kinship families, and to support adoption recruitment efforts for Minnesota's waiting children. This includes hosting the State Adoption Exchange.
- North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), contracted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to provide services and supports to preadoptive, adoptive, and kinship families. NACAC also provides advocacy, education and training, and leadership development.

Bulletins

Go to the Bulletins page to find the library of official communication to county and tribal staff, as well as other department business partners, about program changes and required actions.

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