KARA offers regular, updates on programs that support children and youth in foster care because no child or family should have to navigate this system alone. Share this widely. For a deeper dive in your state, hit the deep dive button on the lower right.
Big New Opportunity:
On June 11, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and First Lady Melania Trump announced a “Fostering the Future” initiative that expands Trump Accounts for children and youth in foster care. The program lets state and tribal child welfare agencies open Trump Accounts on behalf of eligible children, deposit survivor benefits, and pair these assets with financial education to support long‑term independence. Official details on account setup (including Form 4547) are available from the U.S. Treasury: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0530, with additional context on the foster‑youth focus here: https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/melania-trump-urges-governors-and-businesses-to-donate-to-trump-accounts-for-foster-youth/279793.
Foster-Friendly Programs and Resources
This page is designed for both foster youth and caregivers looking for practical help, and for members of the public who want to understand promising programs that support young people in and beyond foster care. The Minnesota section highlights in-state and Twin Cities resources first. Similar programs may exist in other states; for those, use the Deep Dive button on this page to request a state-by-state review.
Minnesota / Twin Cities resources
- Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
Minnesota’s Education and Training Voucher Program helps current and former foster youth pay for postsecondary education, including college, technical school, and related expenses, with awards of up to $5,000 per school year for eligible students.
More information: <https://dcyf.mn.gov/individuals-and-families/youth-services/education-and-training-voucher-program> - Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants
Minnesota’s Fostering Independence grants help students who experienced foster care at age 13 or older attend public colleges with major tuition support, often layered with other aid to reduce college costs and improve persistence.
More information: <https://ohe.mn.gov/grant-scholarship/fostering-independence-higher-education-grants> - KARA Financial Literacy Peer Group and Grant Program
KARA’s financial literacy peer group and grant program helps fostered and adopted Minnesota youth build money-management skills and receive seed grants so they can practice budgeting, saving, and planning for adulthood.
More information: <https://invisiblechildren.org/kara-financial-literacy-grant-program-for-fostered-and-adopted-mn-youth/> - Families Rising Minnesota
Families Rising Minnesota provides statewide support for foster, adoptive, and kinship families through education, peer support, and referrals, helping caregivers stabilize placements and access specialized services.
More information: <https://wearefamiliesrising.org/families-rising-mn/> - Foster Adopt Minnesota
Foster Adopt Minnesota offers information, public education, and practical guidance for foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers, including kinship-care information and support for finding stable and permanent homes for children.
More information: <https://www.fosteradoptmn.org/> - Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Foster Care
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recruits and supports foster families and also offers related services that can help youth and families in transition, including housing and broader family supports.lssmn
More information: <https://www.lssmn.org/services/families/foster-care> - STAY (Successful Transition to Adulthood for Youth) Program
Minnesota’s STAY Program provides independent living services for eligible youth ages 14 to 23 who are in foster care or recently left care, focusing on housing readiness, daily living, education, and transition planning.More information: <https://dcyf.mn.gov/stay-successful-transition-adulthood-youth-program> - Avenues for Youth
Avenues for Youth provides shelter, housing, and holistic support for young people in the Twin Cities, including youth who have experienced foster care and housing instability, with services aimed at mental health, safety, and long-term stability.
More information: <https://avenuesforyouth.org> - Minneapolis Public Housing Authority FYI Vouchers
The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority has expanded use of federal Foster Youth to Independence vouchers, pairing rental assistance with case management for youth ages 18 to 24 who are leaving foster care or facing homelessness.mphaonline
More information: <https://mphaonline.org/news/mpha-secures-52-new-foster-youth-to-independence-vouchers/> - Hennepin County Youth Resources
Hennepin County’s youth resource hub connects young people to employment, health care, education, legal help, crisis response, and housing-related services, making it a useful local entry point for youth with foster care experience in the Twin Cities.hennepincounty
More information: <https://www.hennepincounty.gov/services/assistance/children-families/resources-for-youth>
National resources
- Opportunity Passport®
Opportunity Passport is a matched-savings and financial education program for young people with foster care experience, helping participants build assets for goals such as education, transportation, or housing while learning practical financial skills.youtube
More information: <https://www.anniee.casey.org/opportunity-passport> - Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Voucher Program
The federal Foster Youth to Independence voucher program provides rental assistance and supportive services for youth leaving foster care who are at risk of homelessness, helping young adults stabilize housing during the transition to independence.
More information: <https://endhomelessness.org/resources/toolkits-and-training-materials/foster-youth-to-independence-fyi-voucher-program/> - FosterClub
FosterClub is a national network led by people with lived foster care experience that offers peer support, leadership opportunities, transition resources, and practical guides for education, employment, and independent living.mylife.benefits.
More information: <https://www.fosterclub.com/resources> - National Postsecondary Support Map
FosterClub’s National Postsecondary Support Map helps youth and caregivers identify college support systems, tuition waivers, and campus-based foster youth programs across the United States. fosterclub
More information: <https://www.fosterclub.com/resources/national-list-college-support-systems-foster-youth> - America’s Kids Belong – Foster Friendly Communities
America’s Kids Belong helps communities become more foster-friendly by organizing support from businesses, churches, and volunteers, and offers a Foster Friendly App that connects caregivers to local practical help.
More information: <https://americaskidsbelong.org/foster-friendly-communities/foster-friendly-app/> - AdoptUSKids – Ways to Help
AdoptUSKids provides a national starting point for learning how to support children in foster care, whether by becoming a foster parent, mentoring a youth, volunteering as a CASA, or offering practical services to local agencies and families.adoptuskids
More information: <https://adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/overview/ways-to-help> - Child Welfare Information Gateway – Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care
The Child Welfare Information Gateway curates national information on high school completion, college planning, and financial support for youth in foster care, making it a strong public-awareness resource for families and advocates.childwelfare
More information: <https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/educational-supports-youth-foster-care/> - Friends of the Children
Friends of the Children provides long-term professional mentoring to children facing major obstacles, including many involved with child welfare systems, pairing youth with paid mentors for 12 years or more to improve educational, social, and life outcomes.friendstwincities
More information: <https://friendstwincities.org/how-it-works> - Partnerships for Permanence (P4P)
Partnerships for Permanence supports young people transitioning from child welfare into adulthood through services, advocacy, and personal development training, with a focus on bridging opportunity gaps for youth with foster care experience.partnershipsforpermanence
More information: <https://www.partnershipsforpermanence.org> - National Foster Youth Institute – Health and Wellness
The National Foster Youth Institute promotes trauma-informed health and wellness supports for foster youth, including mental health access, Medicaid coverage, and broader policy reforms that can improve long-term outcomes.nfyi
More information: <https://nfyi.org/issues/health/>
Note for readers
The programs above are included for neutral public information and awareness. Availability, eligibility, and local partnerships vary. If you want comparable resources for your state, use the Deep Dive button on this page to request a state-specific resource review.
WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK and most of all, your State Representative (find them here) change will come a little bit faster. When enough of us become informed and speak up for abused and neglected children, we will improve their lives and our communities!
Please support KARA’s work with your donation
All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children (Don Shelby)
THINGS TO DO:
Speaking/Writing:
Sign up for and share KARA’s weekly e-report about at-risk children and child protection (be informed and help others to be informed).
Share an article or book that strikes you with friends and people in your circles (ask them to share)
Write/call your State Rep. Share a KARA post with them once or twice a month – repetition will get them thinking about children’s issues,MN: Find your Rep HERE.
Nationally: Find your Rep HERE.
Write and call your local News Sources. Reporter emails are included at the bottom of the articles they write. Do a Google search for who covers child abuse issues at your newspaper (in MN: Chris Serres is described as “a staff writer for the Star Tribune who covers social services”. He writes about “issues affecting society’s most vulnerable populations”.
Serres was part of the reporting team for an in-depth project on Minnesota’s child protection system. Other Star Tribune journalists who have reported on child protection and related topics include: Jeffrey Meitrodt, Jessie Van Berkel, MaryJo Webster. Google a reporter’s name and their email almost always comes up. They invite your ideas. Reporters are busy people. They write on specific topics and aren’t always fast to return your contact. I’ve often had six months or more go by and be surprised by a message asking for more information when they were following a story. Become a source for information on child protection / child abuse where you live.
For writers, the opinion page in most newspapers needs more important issue submissions. Feel free to use anything you find on the KARA website to submit to your newspaper. Share KARA posts and other information you find compelling widely in your social media.
*Key Note: Regularity in contacting legislators and reporters creates a greater impact than contacting them just a few times a year. This is a simple and fast way to make big change. If you can make contacting someone a monthly a habit, you will have a much greater chance of impacting the lives of the children where you live. Your State Representative is also likely to meet you in person if you request an audience. Think about this: You might be the only person to show up at that State Reps office advocating for abused and neglected children. These kids don’t have a lobby, can’t vote and have media attention only when something terrible happens to them. Your voice can mean allot to an at risk child where you live.
Hands On
Support the people you know that have adopted or fostered children.
- Meal Assistance: Prepare meals or organize a meal train to ensure the family has consistent, nutritious food, especially during the initial transition when a new child arrives.
- Childcare Help: Offer to babysit or provide respite care, giving foster parents a much-needed break. Check local regulations about who can babysit foster children.
- Gather Supplies: Ask the family what they need for the child, such as clothing, school supplies, or toys. You can also help by storing items they may not have space for.
- Household Chores: Offer to help with everyday tasks like cleaning, lawn care, or grocery shopping, which can alleviate some of the stress for the family.
Emotional Support
- Regular Check-ins: Make it a habit to call or text your friends to see how they are doing. Listening can be a powerful way to show you care.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge special occasions like birthdays or adoption days with thoughtful gifts or cards. This can help foster children feel valued and recognized.
- Be a Friend: Spend time with the family, inviting them over for dinner or playdates. This helps foster children feel included and builds community.
Community Engagement
- Raise Awareness: Use social media to share information about the foster care system and the needs of foster families. This can help increase community support and understanding.
- Organize Events: Consider hosting events that raise awareness or provide resources for foster families, such as information sessions with local agencies.
- Join or Form Support Teams: Collaborate with others to create a support network for foster families, offering prayer, material assistance, and emotional support.
Thoughtful Communication
- Mindful Conversations: Be sensitive in your discussions about fostering. Avoid assumptions or negative comments about biological parents or the foster care system. Instead, express your admiration and willingness to help.
- Engage with Foster Children: When interacting with foster children, focus on their interests and individuality rather than their status as foster kids. Show genuine interest in getting to know them.
By implementing these ideas, you can provide meaningful support to your friends and help create a nurturing environment for the fostered and adopted children in their care.
Call on a school/church near you and ask how you can be involved volunteering for at risk youth through their organization.
There are many small nonprofits trying to make life better for children in most communities. Find one that you resonate with and give it a go. Here are a few in MN (some are national)
Safe Passage for Children of MN, CASAMN CASA National (volunteer guardian ad Litem child advocacy), Minnesota Children’s Alliance: This is a membership organization that works with local communities to respond effectively to allegations of child abuse. While not necessarily small, they likely collaborate with and support smaller local initiatives.
Find your local CASA programs: Various counties in Minnesota programs that recruit and train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system.
Family Advocacy Program: While this is associated with the military (USAREC, Minneapolis Battalion), it offers prevention, education, and outreach services against child and spouse abuse. This could be a valuable resource for military families in the area.
It’s worth noting that many smaller, community-based organizations may not have a strong online presence, making them harder to find in general web searches. To discover more local, grassroots organizations advocating for at-risk children in Minnesota, you might consider:
Contacting local social services departments
Reaching out to community centers or faith-based organizations
Connecting with school districts, which often partner with local child advocacy groups
Exploring county-specific child protection initiatives
These smaller organizations often play crucial roles in their communities, providing targeted support and advocacy for at-risk children in every state.
Prevent Child Abuse America: This is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit organizations in the United States dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. They work through a nationwide state chapter network and evidence-based programs to strengthen families, support communities, and foster safe, stable, and nurturing relationships for children.
CHILD USA: This nonprofit think tank is devoted to ending child abuse and neglect. They focus on high-level legal and social science research to develop the best public policies and laws for child protection. CHILD USA is particularly known for its work on statute of limitations reform for child abuse cases.
National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC): While not extensively detailed in the search results, this organization is mentioned as a resource for child welfare information.
Protect The Children Inc: This nonprofit charity aims to support and protect children and families facing trauma, challenge, and crisis. They focus on raising awareness, influencing change, and supporting communities to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC): This organization provides free legal advocacy and representation for foster care youth in Minnesota. Their contact information is: Phone: (651) 644-4438
Address: 450 N. Syndicate St, Suite 340, St. Paul, MN 55104
Youth Law Project: This project offers legal assistance to children and youth from birth to age 24 anywhere in Minnesota. They handle various civil legal issues, including cases of abuse and neglect. Their contact number is (612) 334-5970.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Minnesota: While not providing direct legal representation, CASA supports volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system.
Public Defender – Fourth Judicial District: Located in Minneapolis, this office may provide legal representation for children in certain cases.
YouthLink: While primarily a drop-in center, they offer a free clinic for low-income youth (ages 16-24) with legal problems, which may include cases of abuse.
Gender Justice: This organization provides legal representation for transgender and other clients, which could include cases involving abused LGBTQ+ youth.
Outfront Minnesota (GLBT Youth): They provide advocacy, assistance, and referrals to help guide youth through the legal process, which may include cases of abuse.
Additionally, there are some general resources that can help connect abused children with appropriate legal services:
United Way 211: This service provides referrals to legal services and resources 24/7.
LawHelp Minnesota: This website offers information and resources on child abuse cases, including how parents or guardians can apply for a free court-appointed lawyer in a CHIPS (Child in Need of Protection or Services) case.
It’s important to note that while these services exist, the availability of volunteers and paid guardians ad litem has been declining in Minnesota, which may impact the accessibility of some advocacy services for abused children.KARA reports on the issues of invisible children
This article submitted by
Former CASA Guardian Ad Litem Mike Tikkanen
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All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children
INVISIBLECHILDREN – KARA (KIDS AT RISK ACTION
“What we do to our children, they will do to our society”
(Pliny the Elder, 2000 years ago)
