Foster Parenting Options
Foster parents provide critical care and love to children who are in need of out-of-home care.
Our goal is reunification with the child’s family. When reunification is not possible, we work to find other permanent options for the children in our care.
We serve children and youth from various backgrounds ranging in age from infancy to young adulthood.
Foster placements can be as short as a few day or for an extended period of time.
Therapeutic Foster Care
Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is a distinct, powerful and unique model of care that provides youth with a nurturing and therapeutic family environment combined with an active and structured therapeutic approach to care. We serve children and youth with varying levels of need; in all cases, ongoing support is provided dependent on the child’s needs.
Our approach to fostering is met through:
- the nurturing, modeling and teaching provided by foster parents
- therapeutic interventions, guidance, support, and education provided by a mental health practitioner or professional.
Short-Term Respite & Emergency Care
Out-of-home care can take various forms depending on the family situation. There is often a need for foster parents to provide short-term care for children in transition or when their families are facing a crisis. Placements can be as short as a few days and up to 30 days.
Therapeutic Host Homes
Therapeutic Host Homes combines the expertise of LSS Therapeutic Foster Care and LSS Host Homes to assure children and youth with a disability, who are eligible for waivered services and require out-of-home care, have a nurturing, therapeutic foster familiy and supportive disability services.
Foster Care and Adoption
The goal in foster care is for children to return home to their families. If that is not possible, adoption by a relative or kin is the next best option. For children that these options are not possible, you may have the opportunity to adopt a child that you have fostered if you are open and committed to growing your family through adoption.
Your Role as a Foster Parent:
- Provide temporary care and nurturing of a child
- Create and provide stability and safety
- Ensure the child’s health, medical, educational, cultural, faith/spiritual needs are met
- Provide nutritious meals
- Promote positive relationships and community experiences
A successful foster parent:
- Has a love of children
- Has a predictable support network
- Is open to Feedback
- Exhibits a mature sense of self and needs
- Can tolerate ambiguity
- Can be flexible and still maintain a strong structure
- Protects a child’s privacy
- Communicates and maintains foster child’s documentation and records
- Provides necessary transportation
For more information on becoming an LSS Therapeutic foster care parent, please Contact an LSS Therapeutic Foster Care Coordinator or fill out a foster parent interest form.
The Therapeutic Foster Care program is administered by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS); one of Minnesota's largest statewide, nonprofit social service organization. LSS Therapeutic Foster Care services are licensed through the Minnesota Department of Human Services and are accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
