Foster Care Specialty Agency or Organization

I currently serve as the Youth Services Program Manager at EVOLVE Family Services. I was drawn to EVOLVE because of its strong commitment to child-centered, anti-oppressive, and anti-racist practices. These principles are at the heart of why I do this work. I am committed to ongoing learning and growth and continuously look for ways to deepen my understanding and strengthen these practices in both my leadership and direct work with youth, families, and community partners.

Address:
EVOLVE Family Services
5850 Omaha Ave. N.
Stillwater, MN 55802
 

I am a Tribal Foster & Kinship Mental Health Therapist dedicated to supporting children, teens, and families navigating the unique challenges of foster care, kinship care, and permanency. My work is grounded in an attachment-focused approach, helping clients build safe, trusting relationships that foster healing and resilience. I partner with caregivers, caseworkers, and community supports, tailoring my approach to meet each family’s unique needs.

I am the foster care program manager at EVOLVE Family Services. We do home study assessments and license both traditional and kinship foster providers as well as provide post-placement support. Our agency also does work in adoption and permanency, youth services, and pregnancy services. I am a transracial and transnational adoptee. I have previously held roles in supervised parenting, domestic violence case management and advocacy, and psychotherapy.

Address:
5850 Omaha Ave. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082

Amy has her Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and her Master’s of Social Work degree from the University of North Dakota and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Amy has 17 years of experience working in foster care/adoption agencies and chemical dependency residential settings in North Dakota and Minnesota. Amy brings with her knowledge regarding the child welfare systems, advocacy for foster care/adoption/kinship youth and families, parent education, understanding of trauma histories, and mental health diagnoses.

Leah Strom has been a social worker since 2001 and has practiced in many areas since that time including child protection, adoption, foster care, training and education. Leah's current role is the Phoenix Learning Xchange (PLX) Coordinator at the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW). 

Licensing Supervisor for child foster care agency.

Address:
Family Alternatives
1089 10th Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

I have been providing services to children, families, & communities for over 40 years, in child welfare, foster care, domestic abuse, tribal social services, recreational therapy, children's residential services, adolescent chemical dependency, & education. Currently, an Assistant Professor-BASW Practicum Director with the College of St Scholastica's Social Work Department, trainer with University of Minnesota in Permanency & Adoption Certificate Program (PACC) & as a QI (qualified individual) & trainer of new QI's.

I am currently working as a Mental Health Practitioner at CARE Counseling. Prior to that, I worked at at St. David's primarily with kids and their families who have been a part of the foster care system. I have provided Intensive Treatment to Foster Care (ITFC), and Treatment Foster Care Oregon (TFCO). I prioritize building strong relationships in order to support clients to be vibrant members of their communities. I recognize that our experiences in the world create our lens in which we view things.

I currently work as the Adoption Social Worker at Nexus Kindred Family Healing based out of the Saint Cloud office. I provider child specific recruitment services to children waiting for adoptive families in the MN foster care system. I also provide licensing and matching services to families looking to adopt a MN waiting child.

Address:
Nexus Kindred Family Healing
412 Great Oak Drive
Waite Park, MN 56387

I work with youth in foster care ages 14-24 years of age providing after-care services. We individualize our services by meeting youth where they are at. We do this by developing a plan that encompasses a youth’s dreams, goals, and aspirations for their life during and after foster care.

Address:
Connections to Independence
310 East 38th Street
Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55409