Foster Care parents are needed in our communities every day. Candy Picka, Lutheran Social Service of MN’s statewide program manager for Therapeutic Foster Care joined Lisa Kaye at KTOE Mankato Radio for a great discussion on foster care. Ian and Denise Rude, LSS foster parents, shared their journey as well. Check it out! 

Heidi Wiste, president of Children’s Home Society of Minnesota--a partner with Lutheran Soicial Service of Minnesota in adoption--shared trends in international adoption in a WCCO TV report about a South Minneapolis couple’s adoption journey.  

In 2023 on any given day, 6,150 children and youth experienced out-of-home care, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are affiliated organizations seeking foster parents to partner with them in caring for children and youth in need.

The number of adults providing care for a relative or non-related child has been rising in recent years due to a number of reasons, including substance abuse issues, mental health concerns, incarceration, and financial instability. WCCO Radio shared a report on this trend and highlighted resources available to support families through LSS Kinship Family Support Services.

Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill that would provide more support for families whose children are chronically absent from school.

St. Paul-based Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, among the largest human service organizations in Minnesota, announced promotions for three organizational leaders to new executive positions: Joe Khawaja, Alexis Oberdorfer and Janine Fugate.

Gary and Peg Janisch of Delano got their first glimpse of Camp Knutson last year at the camp’s annual Pancake Breakfast on the Saturday before 
Labor Day. The couple, who have a lake home near the camp, were immediately drawn to camp’s mission of serving individuals with identified needs and recently announced a $200,000 gift to Camp Knutson. 

Legislation called the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act is being considered and would ban medical providers from denying non-emergency care to patients with large overdue bills, lower the interest rate on medical debt to zero, and keep medical debt from showing up on credit reports. Listen to a rebroadcast from 2022 as MPR News host Angela Davis talks about medical debt with experts including Kim Miller with LSS Financial Counseling.

Kate Hengy-Gretz with the LSS Crisis Nursery in Mankato appeared on Radio Mankato to talk about the work of the Crisis Nursery and how the community can help.

Shannon Doyle, financial education program manager with LSS Financial Counseling, talked with Pam Lundell on KTIS Radio's Community Spotlight program about the wide range of services available, including Debt Management Plans -- an effective way to tackle credit card debt -- as well as identity theft prevention strategies. Check it out!

Listen to the interview.