1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to human services; requiring the commissioner of human services to design 
1.3 	and implement a program to support adoptive, foster, and kinship families; 
1.4 	appropriating money;proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
1.5 	256N.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. [256N.261] SUPPORT FOR ADOPTIVE, FOSTER, AND KINSHIP 
1.8 	FAMILIES.
1.9 		Subdivision 1.Program established. The commissioner of human services shall design 
1.10 	and implement a coordinated program to reduce the need for placement changes or 
1.11 	out-of-home placements of children and youth in foster care, adoptive placements, and 
1.12 	permanent physical and legal custody kinship placements, and to improve the functioning 
1.13 	and stability of these families. To the extent federal funds are available, the commissioner 
1.14 	shall provide the following adoption and foster care-competent services and ensure that 
1.15 	placements are trauma-informed and child and family-centered:
1.16 	(1) a program providing information, referrals, a parent-to-parent support network, peer 
1.17 	support for youth, family activities, respite care, crisis services, educational support, and 
1.18 	mental health services for children and youth in adoption, foster care, and kinship placements 
1.19 	and adoptive, foster, and kinship families from across Minnesota;
1.20 	(2) training offered around Minnesota for adoptive and kinship families, and additional 
1.21 	training for foster families, and the professionals who serve the families, on the effects of 
1.22 	trauma, common disabilities of adopted children and children in foster care, and kinship 
1.23 	placements, and challenges in adoption, foster care, and kinship placements; and
2.1 	(3) periodic evaluation of these services to ensure program effectiveness in preserving 
2.2 	and improving the success of adoptive, foster, and kinship placements.
2.3 		Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this section.
2.4 	(b) "Child and family-centered" means individualized services that respond to a child's 
2.5 	or youth's strengths, interests, and current developmental stage, including social, cognitive, 
2.6 	emotional, physical, cultural, racial, and spiritual needs, and offer support to the entire 
2.7 	adoptive, foster, or kinship family.
2.8 	(c) "Trauma-informed" means care that acknowledges the effect trauma has on children 
2.9 	and the children's families; modifies services to respond to the effects of trauma; emphasizes 
2.10 	skill and strength-building rather than symptom management; and focuses on the physical 
2.11 	and psychological safety of the child and family.

2.12 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
 2.13 	(a) $....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from federal reimbursement to the state as 
2.14 	a result of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act's expanded 
2.15 	eligibility for Title IV-E adoption assistance to the commissioner of human services to 
2.16 	implement the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.621. The unencumbered 
2.17 	balance in the first year does not cancel but is available for the second year.
2.18 	(b) $....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from federal funds available during fiscal 
2.19 	year 2018 for adoption and guardianship assistance incentive grants to the commissioner 
2.20 	of human services for postadoption services, including the implementation of the 
2.21 	requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.621. The unencumbered balance in the 
2.22 	first year does not cancel but is available for the second year. $....... in fiscal year 2019 is 
2.23 	appropriated from federal funds available during fiscal year 2019 for adoption and 
2.24 	guardianship assistance grants to the commissioner of human services for postadoption 
2.25 	services, including the implementation of the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.26 	256N.621
2.27 	(c) $....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from federal funds available during fiscal 
2.28 	year 2018 through Title IV-B, subpart 2, of the Social Security Act, Promoting Safe and 
2.29 	Stable Families to the commissioner of human services to implement the requirements of 
2.30 	Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.621. The unencumbered balance in the first year does not 
2.31 	cancel but is available for the second year. $....... in fiscal year 2019 is appropriated from 
2.32 	federal funds available during fiscal year 2019 through Title IV-B, subpart 2, of the Social 
3.1 	Security Act, Promoting Safe and Stable Families to the commissioner of human services 
3.2 	to implement the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.621.
3.3 	(d) $....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
3.4 	of human services to implement the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 256N.621. 
3.5 	The unencumbered balance in the first year does not cancel but is available for the second 
3.6 	year.