Minnesota Permanency Demonstration Project

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Child Safety and Permanency Division

September 2010

Paths to Permanency

Information for Minnesota foster families in Minnesota Permanency Demonstration Project counties.

Minnesota Benefit Comparison Chart

Foster care: $539-$637 month/child MPDP: Continuous benefit, same as foster

care; no case management services Adoption Assistance: $247-$357

month/child; may include child care Relative Custody Assistance: $247-$337

month/child; TANF grant means-tested) Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

Communications

Three key messages to gain stakeholder buy-in:– We expect to increase permanent relative

care and adoption of children with special needs from the foster care system.

– The demonstration is a cost-neutral approach. – Financial benefits will follow children from

foster care to permanent families.

Communications(continued)

Teleconference trainings– Permanency Values– Legal Options– Evaluation Design

Frequently asked questions and answers

-Internal and external documents

-MPDP website

Communications(continued)

Issued news release at launch of project Issued pitch letter to media Published articles in specialty publications Published fact sheet, comparison chart,

foster parent guide, other documents Presented on-site training Sent informational letters to key

stakeholders

Contact Information John Hanna, MPDP Program Consultant

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Child Safety and Permanency Division

444 Lafayette Rd. N.

St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 431-4678 or John.Hanna@state.mn.us

MPDP website, containing progress reports, FAQs, forms and other information about the Minnesota Permanency Demonstration Project, can be found at:

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/dhs16_137480