Foster Care in Minnesota

In Minnesota, about 11,235 children and young adults experienced out-of-home care in 2022. On an average day, there were approximately 6,750 children and young adults in care. In 2022, fewer children experienced foster can than 2021; however there is still a significant need for new foster homes.

During 2022, about 4,400 children and young adults entered out-of-home placement. The most common primary reasons for removal from the home are:

• 30.2% due to parental drug abuse
• 12.7% due to allegations of neglect
• 10.4% due to physical abuse.

Parental drug abuse continues to be the most frequently identified primary reason for children to be placed in out-of-home care. Removing children from the home for parental drug abuse has increased from 17% of all new placements in 2013 tp the current level of 30.2%.

For children who left out-of-home placement in 2022:

• 51.7% were reunited with their birth parents or legal guardians; placements for children under the age of 1 ended with reunification nearly 81% of the time.
• 20.1% were adopted.
• 18.2% achieved permanency with a relative or other caregiver.
• 8% reached aged out of foster care.
• Others left foster care without the benefits of a permanent family.