Minnesota Ombudsperson

About this resource

Our office was created to serve foster youth. Foster youth calls are our first priority. Anyone who is concerned about the care, placement, services or rights of a child or youth in foster care in Minnesota can contact our office.

The Office of Ombudsperson for Foster Youth was created through legislation in the 2022 session based on advocacy and testimony by current and former Fosters. The first Ombudsperson for Foster Youth was appointed by Governor Walz in September 2023 and started in their role in October 2023. The Office opened for inquiries and complaints on May 9, 2024.

The Office is a neutral and independent agency that helps solve problems and complaints about the care, placement, safety, and services of children and youth in foster care. We help foster youth, social workers, probation officers, resource families and advocates understand the rights of children and youth in foster care. We also help by making policy recommendations to improve the foster care system. If you are concerned about the rights of a child in foster care, or issues related to their care, placement, or services, we may be able to help! Our services are free to the public.

Our primary role is to help people resolve problems concerning the health, safety, or welfare of a youth in foster care once other avenues to resolve the issue have been exhausted.

We do not serve as legal counsel, as an advocate, or as a representative of any person or agency.

The office is given its authority by Minnesota Statutes 260C.80-83.