Pre-Adopt Orientation & Trainings

Pre-Adopt Orientation and Training Schedules

Individuals who are interested in adopting Minnesota's Waiting Children must attend pre-adopt/foster parent training classes offered by one of the 87 Minnesota County Social/Human Service divisions or a private adoption agency that is part of the Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI).Families who train through their county of residence or the PPAI agencies pay no fees for their training. There may be fees for other trainings. Always call the training agency prior to

• Your first step is to call your county family services department to ask about its foster care, concurrent planning and/or adoption programs. You also may call private child-placement agencies that are licensed by the State of Minnesota and are involved with permanency planning for children.

• Your next step is to attend the orientation meetings and training sessions offered by your county or the private child-placement agencies.  Many of your questions will be discussed at these meetings.

• Once the training is completed, you are prepared for the next steps of the process that are required of foster, concurrent planning or adoptive parents. In any of these roles, you can brighten the future for a Minnesota’s Waiting Child.

The PPAI agencies are:
 

Area served Agency Locations   AAAA (African American Adoption Agency) Metro Roseville 651-659-0460 Ampersand Families state-wide Minneapolis 612-605-1904 Bethany Christian Services WC, EC, SE, SW, Metro Plymouth & Willmar 763-553-0344 866-321-1964 Children’s Home Society & Family Services state-wide St. Paul & St. Cloud 651-255-2218 800-952-9302 Downey Side state-wide Sauk Rapids, Owatonna 320-240-1433 507-446-8503 Family Focus Metro, EC, NC, SE Minneapolis, Austin, Duluth 612-331-4429 HOPE Adoption and Family Services International, Inc. state-wide Oak Park Heights & Stillwater 651-439-2446 Kindred Family Services (formerly PATH MN) state-wide Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Monticello, St. Cloud, Warroad, Willmar, Duluth, Mankato, Marshall, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead 763-271-1670 Lutheran Social Service state-wide Minneapolis, Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead, & St. Cloud 612-879-5230 888-205-3769 North Homes Children and Family Services Central & Northern MN Grand Rapids & Bemidji 218-327-3055 888-430-3055

Regional Area Map

Pre-Adopt Orientation and Training Dates

Listed alphabetically by agency
(Please contact webmaster if dates need to updated, changed or removed) 

 

ANOKA COUNTY

Anoka County Human Services 2100 3rd Ave Anoka, MN 553037 GO TO ANOKA WEBSITE Contact: Nancy Le 763-422-7104 Nancy.Le@co.anoka.mn.us

TRAININGS:   Orientation Class Schedule Location: Coon Rapids YMCA 8950 Springbrook Dr. Coon Rapids, MN. 55433 Call to register (but registration is not required)   The next trainings will be in Fall 2013, TBA later Day Date Time         Pre-Adopt Training Class Schedule Location: Anoka County Government Center Room 510 2100 3rd Ave Anoka, MN 55303 Registration is required. Day Date Time

 

AMPERSAND FAMILIES

Ampersand Families 1700 Second Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-605-1904 http://www.ampersandfamilies.org/ Contact: Michelle Chalmers 612-605-1902

TRAININGS: Ampersand Families provides pre-adoption training to families on a very flexible schedule. Training groups are generally small (4-8 people) and are scheduled for the convenience of participants. Please note that Ampersand Families works almost exclusively with older youth (aged 10 years+) from Minnesota's foster care system. The agency's pre-adoption training meets all the requirements for families intending to adopt a Minnesota Waiting Child, and the topic areas are presented with a focus on their application to older youth. Ampersand Families is not an appropriate place for families to attend pre-adoption training if their intent is to seek a private adoption of an infant, a young child or an international adoption, as the agency does not provide those services. Please visit www.ampersandfamilies.org or contact Michelle at 612-605-1902 to learn more about pre-adoption training at Ampersand Families.

 

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES

LOCATIONS: Plymouth 3025 Harbor Lane N #316 Plymouth, MN 55447-5141 (763) 553-0344 Willmar 316 Becker Ave SW Willmar, MN 55201 320-214-0601 http://www.bethany.org/minnesota Contact: Meagan Galbari 763-553-0344

TRAININGS: Adoption Information Meetings (Plymouth) Location: Bethany Christian Service Plymouth Office 3025 Harbor Lane N.,Suite 316 Plymouth, MN 55447   Day Date Time Tuesday 5/7/2013 4:00pm - 6:00pm Thursday 6/6/2013 4:00pm - 6:00pm Tuesday 7/9/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Thursday 8/8/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Tuesday 9/10/2013 4:00pm - 6:00pm Thursday 10/3/2013 4:00pm - 6:00pm Tuesday 11/5/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Thursday 12/5/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Adoption Information Meetings (Willmar) Location: Willmar Office (located at the Willmar Library)   Day Date Time Monday 5/6/2013 5:30pm - 7:30pm Monday 8/5/2013 5:30pm - 7:30pm Monday 11/4/2013 5:30pm - 7:30pm   Pre-Adopt Training Class Schedule Location: Varies (see chart below) Persons adopting through the PPAI do not have a charge to attend. Others wanting to attend may do so at a fee of $100 per person. *Minimum of ten people must register for this event to be held. Please call to reserve a space, as space is limited. 763-553-0344 Day Date Time Location Thursday 5/2/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Plymouth office Friday 5/3/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Plymouth office Friday 7/26/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Willmar (TBD) Saturday 7/27/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Willmar (TBD)

 

CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY & FAMILY SERVICES

**LOCATIONS: St. Paul 1605 Eustis St St. Paul, MN 55108 www.chsfs.org 651-646-7771 800-952-9302 Contact: Mary Jo Michalik (Information Meetings) 651-255-2218 mmichalik@chsfs.org Lynne Haggar (Outstate Information Meeting contact/Adoption Education Classes) 651-255-2371 lynne.haggar@lssmn.org **Lutheran Social Service and Children's Home Society entered into a partnership on July 1, 2012. At this time we will work in collaboration to offer our adoption services. This includes LSS & CHSFS combining our Adoption Education Classes and offering them on the following dates at 1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN 55108.

TRAININGS: Adoption Information Meetings Location: 1605 Eustis St St. Paul, MN 55108   Day Date Time Saturday 5/11/2013 10:00am - 12:00pm Monday 6/10/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Tuesday 7/16/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday 8/10/2013 10:00am - 12:00pm Thursday 9/24/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Monday 10/14/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday 11/16/2013 10:00am - 12:00pm Monday 12/9/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Clients may register on our website or by contacting Mary Jo Michalik at 651-255-2218 mmichalik@chsfs.org Families outside of the Metro-area, please contact Lynne Haggar at 651-255-2371 lynne.haggar@lssmn.org St. Paul Adoption Education Class Schedule Location: 1605 Eustis St St. Paul, MN 55108 June 2013 Day Date Time Friday 6/14/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 6/15/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm August 2013 Day Date Time Friday 8/2/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 8/3/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm October 2013 Day Date Time Friday 10/25/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 10/26/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm December 2013 Day Date Time Friday 12/6/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 12/7/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm   St. Cloud Adoption Education Class Schedule Location: Provided at time of Registration May 2013 Day Date Time Friday 5/17/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 5/18/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm September 2013 Day Date Time Friday 9/13/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Saturday 9/14/2013 8:00am - 5:30pm Advance registration is required for classes. Please note: When signing up for a class series, families must attend all class dates in that series. Families must have attended an informational meeting through the agency or county they are working with prior to attending a class series.

 

DOWNEY SIDE...families for youth

LOCATIONS: Owatonna Suite 201 560 Dunnell Court Owatonna, MN   55060 507-446-8503 Sauk Rapids 1637 4th Ave N, Suite 102 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 call 320-240-1433 Contact: Nicole McGraw nmcgraw@downeyside.org 320 240-1433 http://www.downeyside.org/index.php

TRAININGS: Adoption Orientation Meetings TBA soon Day Date Time       There is no charge for this meeting - Pre-Registration is required. Please call 651-603-5927 Owatonna Pre-Adoptive Training Class Schedule* Location: 560 Dunnell Court, Suite 201  Owatonna, MN 55060 TBA soon Day Date Time Sauk Rapids Pre-Adoptive Training Class Schedule* Location: 1637 4th Ave N, Suite 102 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Day Date Time *There is no charge to families preparing to adopt children under state guardianship. Pre-Registration is required. Please e-mail nmcgraw@downeyside.org or call (320) 240-1433.

 

FAMILY FOCUS

LOCATIONS: Metro 2800 University Ave., SE Suite 204 Minneapolis, MN 55414 Phone: 612-331-4429 Austin 1111 28th Street, NE Austin, MN 55912 507-434-3586 Duluth 11-15 Buchanan Street Suite 212 Duluth, MN 55802 Phone: 218-740-3146 http://www.mnfamilyfocus.org/ Contact: Jenna Senger 612-604-1113 JSenger@mnfamilyfocus.org

TRAININGS: Pre-Adoptive Training Meetings (Duluth & Hinckley) Location: Alworth Bldg 306 W Superior St. Suite #500 Duluth, MN 55802 TBA soon Day Date Time             The training is free to those prospective parents interested in adoption of Minnesota children who are under guardianship of the Commissioner. For more information and registration please contact Amanda at aproffit@mnfamilyfocus.org or 218-740-3146. Minneapolis Pre-Adoptive Training Class Schedule Location: Minneapolis Metro Office 2800 University Ave SE #204 Minneapolis, MN 55414 2013   Day Date(s) Time   Monday 1/7/2013 3/4/2013 5/6/2013 7/8/2013 9/9/2013 11/4/2013 6:00pm - 10:00pm Part 1 (Sessions 1-2) Monday 1/14/2013 3/11/2013 5/13/2013 7/15/2013 9/16/2013 11/11/2013 6:00pm - 10:00pm Part 2 (Sessions 3-4) Monday 1/21/2013* 3/18/2013 5/20/2013 7/22/2013 9/23/2013 11/11/2013 6:00pm - 10:00pm Part 3 (Sessions 5-6) Monday 1/28/2013 3/25/2013 5/27/2013* 7/29/2013 9/23/2013 11/25/2013 6:00pm - 10:00pm Part 4 (Sessions 7-8) *Participants will determine when this class will be as it falls on a holiday **Participants must attend Session 1 and 2 to complete the training, although they can do that in any order. No cost, but pre registration is required. Register by calling 612 331 4429 or email: JSenger@mnfamilyfocus.org Owatonna Pre-Adoptive Training Class Schedule Location: Owatonna Public Library 105 North Elm Owatonna MN 55060 2013 Day Date Time   Saturday 5/11/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 1 Saturday 6/8/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 2 Saturday 7/13/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 1 Saturday 8/10/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 2 Saturday 9/14/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 1 Saturday 10/12/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 2 Saturday 11/9/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 1 Saturday 12/14/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Part 2 *Participants will determine when this class will be as it falls on a holiday **Participants must attend Session 1 and 2 to complete the training, although they can do that in any order. No cost, but pre registration is required. Register by calling 612 331 4429 or email: JSenger@mnfamilyfocus.org

 

HENNEPIN COUNTY CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

LOCATION: Hennepin County Children & Family Services 525 Portland Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55415 612.543.0014 www.hennepin.us/adoption Contact:Cathy Bruer-Thompson cathy.bruer-thompson@co.hennepin.mn.us

TRAININGS: Monthly Adoption Information Meetings Attending the Information Meeting is a prerequisite for all adopting parents prior to taking the Pre-Adoption Training Series 2013 Day Date Time Location Thursday 5/23/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Washburn Library Meeting Room 5244 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55419 Tuesday 6/23/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Ethel Berry Room, Southdale Library 7001 York Avenue South Edina, MN 55435 Tuesday 7/23/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm North Regional Library South Half Meeting Room, 2nd floor 1315 Lowry Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 Information Meetings are scheduled monthly: 6:00-8:00 pm at various locations. They are open to the public and no pre-registration is required. Call 612-348-ADOPt (612-348-2367) for more information and to be placed on our mailing list to be notified of an upcoming Information Meeting on the Hennepin County Adoption Program The Information Meeting dates and locations will also be listed on the Hennepin County Adoption http://hennepin.us/adoption Pre-AdoptionTraining Class Schedule Spring Adoption Series 2013 Health Services Bldg. Rm. 110 - Lobby Level 525 Portland Ave South Minneapolis, MN 55415   Day Date Time Tuesday 4/30/2013 6:00pm - 9:00pm Thursday 5/2/2013 6:00pm - 9:00pm Saturday 5/4/2013 9:00am - 5:00pm Thursday 5/9/2013 *4:00pm - 9:00pm **The last class is from 6:30-9:00 pm with Application time & individual meetings 4-6 pm   Adopting parents must attend a prerequisite orientation meeting prior to attending the series. Orientation Meetings are scheduled monthly at various sites in Hennepin County. Call 612.348.ADOP(t) for the Orientation location and to be placed on our mailing list. Pre-Registration is required for the Adoption Training Series, but not for the Orientation Meeting. Call 612.543.0014 to register for the training series or Pre-Adoption Classes. Saturday lunch is on your own. Adoption Home Study Applications may be completed the last day of class.

 

HOPE ADOPTION & FAMILY SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

LOCATION: HOPE Adoption & Family Services International, Inc 5850 Omaha Avenue North Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 651-439-2446 http://www.hopeadoptionservices.org Contact: Laura Murray

TRAININGS: Orientation Meetings Day Date Time Monday 5/6/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Monday 6/3/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Tuesday 7/6/2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm Location: HOPE office, 5850 Omaha Ave. N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 All are free - Registration is required for all meetings & workshops. Families from ANY AGENCY are welcome to attend. Call HOPE for information (651-439-2446) or visit our web site, http://www.hopeadoptionservices.org Pre-AdoptionTraining Class Schedule Location: HOPE Office, 5850 Omaha Ave. N., Oak Park Heights 16-hour required training Fee: Free for HOPE families and PPAI clients from ANY agency. Otherwise, $250/person. Day Date Part Time Friday 5/17/2013 1 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday 5/18/2013 2 9:00am - 5:00pm Thursday 8/15/2013 1 1:00pm - 9:00pm Friday 8/16/2013 2 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday 11/15/2013 1 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday 11/16/2013 2 9:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATIONS: North Homes Children and Family Services 1880 River Road Grand Rapids, MN   55744 888.430.3055 ext.112 218.327.3000 http://www.northhomesinc.org Holly Guyer 218-322-4112

TRAININGS: Training Class Schedule Location: Blandin Foundation Auditorium 100 N Pokegama Grand Rapids, MN TBA soon Day Date Time Questions or to Register: Call Holly at 888-430-3055 ext. 112 or 218-327-3000 ext. 112 Bemidji Office: 210 Beltrami Ave NW Bemidji, MN 56601 Contact: Ashley Maltrud 218-751-0282

updated 5/2013
 

PLEASE NOTE: All orientation and training dates, times and locations are subject to change. Please call phone numbers listed to confirm. Also, other county and private agencies that place Minnesota’s Waiting Children may have meetings not included in this listing. Please check your phone book’s blue pages for your county human service department phone number and the yellow pages under adoption or foster care for private child-placement agencies. The private agencies included on this listing work collaboratively with the State of Minnesota under the Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI) contract.