Personal Belongings Engagement Session #2 - Recap

To begin a PowerPoint slide prompted attendees to select one of five workgroups for breakout sessions. The five workgroup choices were:

1. Examine current policy/process for accessing adoption records and personal belongings. What is a personal belonging?
2. Examine how the state should handle personal belongings when at least one member of the adoption was identified as Native American/Alaskan Native/Indian/First Nations.
3. Examine alternative processes. How are other states or agencies handling personal belongings?
4. Community outreach, public awareness, and post-adoption resources available to adoptees and birth parents.
5. Examine ways to increase BIPOC community awareness of and access to personal belongings.

Attendees were asked to add their names and chosen workgroup in the chat. The meeting began with a recap of the 9/18/2024 session, covering:

• Adoption/Post Adoption Resources
• Roles of DCYF and Foster Adopt MN
• Post adoption search services
• DCYF’s definition of adoption personal belongings

The new Personal Belongings Engagement site was introduced, with a link for attendees to follow along. Key features, such as subscribing for updates and finding session dates, were highlighted. Attendees were encouraged to share the site.

DCYF then polled attendees for preferred times for future quarterly sessions. The options were:

1. 3^rd Tuesday from 4:00-5:30 pm
2. 3^rd Wednesday from 12:00-1:30 pm
3. 3^rd Wednesday from 4:00-5:30 pm
4. 3^rd Thursday from 4:00-5:30 pm

Option 2 (3^rd Wednesday, noon) received the most votes, with options 1 and 4 as close seconds.

Participants were placed into breakout rooms based on their preferred workgroup. DCYF staff accommodated first choices, when possible, but some were placed in second choices due to group size. During the 20-25 minute breakout, groups discussed topics and optional questions, with each group asked to select a note-taker, reporter, and to schedule their next meeting. Before the breakouts, DCYF provided examples of personal belongings scenarios.

Workgroup topics:

1. Current policy and process to access adoption records and personal belongings
2. Handling personal belongings in Native American/Alaskan Native/Indian/First Nations adoptions
3. Alternative processes in other states/agencies
4. Post-adoption community outreach and resources

Key Discussion Points:

• Native American personal belongings should be handled separately, with a healing ceremony guided by spiritual leaders before the process begins.
• A dedicated group should return Native American personal belongings with support, resources and counseling
• Consult national organization for repatriation guidance.
• Post-adoption funding should be made available for individuals accessing personal belongings for support and healing.

Foster Adopt Minnesota

Visit Foster Adopt Minnesota for essential resources and support in foster care and adoption:

• Minnesota Support Group for Searching: Connect with others on the adoption journey.
• Resources for Intercountry Adoption: Comprehensive guidance for international adoptions.
• DNA Testing: Reliable genetic testing services.
• Minnesota Statutes: Up-to-date legal information on foster care and adoption.
• Minnesota Support Group for Searching
• Post Search Information: Unsure of the adoption agency or county? Use the Foster Adopt Minnesota Search Form to find the placing agency and district court that finalized the adoption.

Center for Adoption Support and Education

The Center for Adoption Support and Education provides essential resources and guidance to help adoptive families navigate the search and reunion process. Our comprehensive support includes expert advice, practical tools, and emotional assistance to ensure meaningful and successful connections between adoptees and their birth families.

Support Groups

Listing of support groups

Many child-placing agencies offer support groups as part of their post-adoption services to help families navigate their journey. Additionally, Foster Adopt MN features a comprehensive listing of support groups, providing opportunities to connect with others and receive ongoing assistance.

Support group for adult adoptees

AdopteesMN is a peer support group for adult adoptees (age 18 and older). While each person’s identity, interests, and stories are unique, all members share the common experience of being adopted. Join AdopteesMN to connect, share, and receive support from others who understand your journey. Contact adopteesmn@gmail.com for more information.

Concerned United Birthparents (CUB)

CUB is a monthly support group for birth family members and adult adoptees. Join us to share experiences, seek guidance, and connect with others who understand the unique challenges and joys of birth family relationships and adoption.

Bellis Support Group

Bellis hosts weekly gatherings for mothers who have experienced the termination or transfer of parental rights, or similar circumstances. These groups support women for whom the legal determination is final, providing a safe space to share experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges.

HELP Program

Contact Information

• Email: help@fosteradoptmn.org
• Toll-Free: 1-855-670-HELP
• Phone: 612-746-5137

Overview

The HELP Program offers free services to Minnesota adoptive, kinship, and foster families; adopted individuals; birth family members; and community professionals.

Services Include

Support: Phone and email assistance from HELP Specialists trained in supporting adoptive, foster, and kinship families.

Connections: Linking families with adoption, trauma, and attachment-competent therapists, as well as appropriate community resources and educational programs.

Funding Assistance: Helping eligible families cover therapy costs with vetted therapists, access Foster Adopt Minnesota educational offerings, and obtain other eligible supports.

Visit the HELP Program to receive comprehensive support tailored to your family's needs.

Finding Adoption Competent Therapist

Foster Adopt MN Therapist Services

Explore our directory of Foster Adopt MN-vetted therapists using the Therapist Search Tool. You can filter therapists by:

• Practice Location
• Insurers Accepted
• Treatment Modalities
• Areas of Practice
• Client Demographics
• Completed PACC

If you need further assistance, our HELP Program Specialists are available to provide personalized referrals and support at no cost. Contact the HELP Program:

• Email: help@fosteradoptmn.org
• Phone: 612-746-5137
• Toll-Free: 1-855-670-HELP

Visit Foster Adopt MN Therapist Services today to find the support you need.

PACC Program

The Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) Program is a cohort-based training designed to enhance permanency and adoption competence for professionals working in child welfare and mental health settings. This program equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to support families and children effectively, ensuring lasting permanency and successful adoptions.

Find therapists who are fluent in adoption and permanency by using our Therapist Search Tool. You can filter therapists based on their completion of the PACC program to ensure they have specialized expertise in adoption and permanency issues.

Minnesota Department of Health

Information about accessing original birth records, and the new Birth Parent Contact preference form, is available on the Minnesota Department Health website

Personal Belongings Engagement

We aim to create a community-centered, community-led system change. We don't have all the answers and need your input to move forward. This may lead to legislative proposals or procedural changes.

Change will take time and effort, and we ask for your patience as we tackle difficult topics.

We believe communities should drive this process. Other states have approached this issue in different ways, and we look to them for guidance.

We plan to form small workgroups focused on specific policies and procedures for handling personal belongings. Topics for discussion will include who should have access to these items and whether DCYF should continue its current process or adopt a more proactive approach, like New York or Illinois, where centralized locations provide records and personal belongings.

Our plan includes quarterly larger workgroup meetings for updates, along with smaller, more frequent subgroup meetings focused on specific topics.

Engagement Sessions:

• Initial Session: September 18, 2024

• 2nd Session: January 16, 2025 (4:00-5:30 p.m., virtual) – In this meeting, we will focus on forming the workgroups and confirming their main topics.

Workgroups will meet monthly or as agreed, and quarterly meetings will continue to provide updates on progress.

Access the link to the article below.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/07/19/adopted-adults-can-claim-items-left-for-them-in-dhs-adoption-files

The initial Personal Belongings Engagement session occurred September 19, 2024. The session was held at Rondo Community Library, 461 N Dale St, Saint Paul, MN 55103. The meeting was held both in person and virtually and included a presentation and discussion.