“When the State of Minnesota removes a child from their family of origin, it makes a promise to that child and to all Minnesotans. The promise is to care for that child better than the family would have done, and to nurture that child every day and to guide them towards full, successful lives.“

— Foster Advocates

On August 13th, grant makers from across Minnesota gathered for a powerful roundtable centered on one shared mission: improving outcomes for foster youth across the state. Hosted by Foster Advocates, in partnership with the Sauer Family Foundation, the John & Denise Graves Foundation, and Greater Twin Cities United Way, the event underscored a critical truth: the challenges facing foster youth are not just child welfare issues—they are issues of racial equity, education, housing, and mental health.

Understanding the Challenges

Equity: Minnesota ranks among the worst in the nation for racial disparities in child welfare. Native American, multi-racial, and African American children are vastly overrepresented in the foster care system, reflecting deep systemic inequities.

Education: Foster youth graduate high school at the lowest rates of any student population in Minnesota, even lower than youth experiencing homelessness.

Youth Homelessness: Nearly 60% of homeless youth in Minnesota have a history in foster care. By age 24, over 80% of foster youth will have experienced at least one instance of homelessness.

Mental Health: Foster youth are diagnosed with PTSD at five times the rate of the general population, higher than combat veterans, yet the system continues to underinvest in trauma-informed care that reflects the realities of family separation and instability.

Attendees at the roundtable engaged in deep conversations and participated in interactive sessions and a foster youth-led panel, gaining firsthand insight into the lived experiences of Minnesota’s foster youth.

Building Momentum for Systems Change

On May 8, 2025, Foster Advocates unveiled The Minnesota Promise Report—a visionary, Foster-led roadmap for transforming Minnesota’s child welfare system. This bold report is the result of a statewide listening campaign with foster youth & former fosters launched in Fall 2022, aimed at answering a central question:

What would it look like if Minnesota truly kept its promise to foster youth?

The Minnesota Promise Campaign builds on years of advocacy, research, and relationship-building, seeking to serve the more than 14,000 current and former foster youth in Minnesota. It outlines specific, actionable reforms designed to center youth voice, create equitable support systems, and repair broken promises.

Foster Advocates has long prioritized the leadership and lived experience of foster youth. Their efforts helped secure critical wins, such as the Fostering Higher Education Act Grant in 2021, which expanded access to college for foster youth. Still, the Minnesota Promise Report reminds us that meaningful change is ongoing—and there is much more to be done.

A Shared Responsibility

The foster care system is not simply a collection of policies and procedures; it is a reflection of our collective values. Minnesota has made a promise to its foster youth: to care, to support, and to provide opportunities for a full and thriving life. That promise must be more than words. It must be a mandate for action.

Now is the time to invest in bold, youth-led change. Through collaboration, courageous conversation, and sustained commitment, we can reshape a system that truly honors and uplifts every Foster in Minnesota. Let’s keep the promise—together.