2024 Minnesota Statutes

142A.603 NORTHSTAR CARE FOR CHILDREN; GENERALLY.

Subdivision 1.Eligibility.

A child is eligible for Northstar Care for Children if the child is eligible for:

(1) foster care under section 142A.604;

(2) Northstar kinship assistance under section 142A.605; or

(3) adoption assistance under section 142A.606.

Subd. 2.Assessments.

Except as otherwise specified, a child eligible for Northstar Care for Children shall receive an assessment under section 142A.607.

Subd. 3.Agreements.

When a child is eligible for Northstar kinship assistance or adoption assistance, negotiations with caregivers and the development of a written, binding agreement must be conducted under section 142A.608.

Subd. 4.Benefits and payments.

A child eligible for Northstar Care for Children is entitled to benefits specified in section 142A.609, based primarily on assessments under section 142A.607, and, if appropriate, negotiations and agreements under section 142A.608. Although paid to the caregiver, these benefits must be considered benefits of the child rather than of the caregiver.

Subd. 5.Federal, state, and local shares.

The cost of Northstar Care for Children must be shared among the federal government, state, counties of financial responsibility, and certain tribes as specified in section 142A.611.

Subd. 6.Administration and appeals.

The commissioner and financially responsible agency, or other agency designated by the commissioner, shall administer Northstar Care for Children according to section 142A.612. The notification and fair hearing process applicable to this chapter is defined in section 142A.612.

Subd. 7.Transition.

A child in foster care, relative custody assistance, or adoption assistance prior to January 1, 2015, who remains with the same caregivers, continues to receive benefits under programs preceding Northstar Care for Children, unless the child moves to a new foster care placement, permanency is obtained for the child, or the commissioner initiates transition of a child receiving pre-Northstar Care for Children relative custody assistance, Northstar kinship assistance, or adoption assistance under this chapter. Provisions for the transition to Northstar Care for Children for certain children in preceding programs are specified in section 142A.612, subdivisions 2 and 7. Additional provisions for children in: foster care are specified in section 142A.604, subdivision 6; relative custody assistance under section 142A.65 are specified in section 142A.605, subdivision 12; and adoption assistance under chapter 259A are specified in section 142A.606, subdivision 13.

History:

2013 c 108 art 17 s 7; 2014 c 312 art 25 s 34; 2024 c 80 art 1 s 96; 2024 c 115 art 16 s 34

NOTE: A transfer of a power or responsibility in this chapter to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families is effective upon notice of the commissioner of children, youth, and families to the commissioners of administration, management and budget, and other relevant departments along with the secretary of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the relevant legislative committees and divisions. Laws 2024, chapter 80, article 8, section 72, Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30.