County Child-welfare Setting

Kari J. Peters brings over 25 years of experience working with children and families facing severe mental health challenges. She holds a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kari currently serves as a Children’s Mental Health Case Manager, providing coordinated and individualized support to children with severe emotional disorders. Prior to her role as a CMH case manager, she delivered in-home family therapy, supporting families through early intervention and preventative mental health services.

I work in the Youth Support Outreach Program in Hennepin County. We're prevention focused, and work with young people at risk of being sexually exploited or trafficked & some families with high parent child conflict. We work with young people 11+ years old, and have a mix of kids that have previous involvement in child welfare (CP, adoption, etc) & kids that have had no previous involvement.

Address:
Hennepin County
399 S 6th St MC 700
Minneapolis, MN 55487

I am currently the Deputy Director of Health and Human Services with managerial responsibility for child-serving programs. Previously, I was the supervisor of Child Welfare supervisor of Child Welfare services and Licensing at Nicollet County with previous experience as a case manager for children’s mental health, child protective services and adoption case management. I use the information and perspectives I learned through the PACC training every day in my work.

I am a county social worker currently working in case management on child protection cases and adoption cases.

Address:
Sherburne County Health and Human Services
13880 Business Center Dr NW
Elk River, MN 55330-1692

Gretchan is currently a lead Children's Mental Health social worker in a county setting. Previously, Gretchan worked as a post-permanency social worker, providing voluntary case management services and support to families that recently experienced an adoption or transfer of custody. Gretchan is also trained in Circle of Security and has experience working in a hospital setting.

Address:
Sherburne County
13880 Business Center Drive NW
Elk River, MN 55330

Jennifer is a graduate of the Moorhead State University Social Work program. She spent the first two years of her professional career in child protection for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services before accepting a position in Douglas County where she has been ever since.

I have worked in Child Protection for eight years; I provide ongoing case management to families and children. Our primary focus is reunification and helping maintain the family unit. However, I also work with youth post-permanency until a permanency plan can be finalized.

Address:
Clay County Social Services
715 11th St. N.
Moorhead, MN 56560

Child Protection Ongoing Case Management as well as the Permanency Worker - Adoptions and Transfers of Physical and Legal Custody

Address:
Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties
115 W 1st St
Fairmont, MN 56031

I was both a Child Welfare Scholar and a NCWWI scholar during the MSW program at UMD. I have been working in the front lines as a child protection case manager for the last 10 years, 6 of those being in tribal welfare. I have spent the majority of my professional career working with Indigenous families and communities while following and implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA). Additionally, I have been training with UMD’s Tribal Training and Certification Partnership (TTCP) since November 2021.

*Complete background studies for stepparent adoptions taking place within Sherburne County-fees apply.

*Complete post adoption searches referred from the Department of Human Services for adults who were adopted through Sherburne County Health and Human Services.

"Philosophy of the Adoption Program"
Every child in Sherburne County who is legally free for adoption deserves a permanent home.