2026 Legislative Priorities
Summary
Over the past seven years, Foster Advocates has learned that real change happens when we center the voices of those most impacted. That's exactly what we did in May 2025 when we launched the MN Promise Report—a comprehensive, Foster-led roadmap for systems change in Minnesota. Today, we're using that momentum to set our 2026 priorities.
And we're thrilled to announce: we're partnering with the Minnesota Youth Leadership Councils on one of our major bills this year. This partnership represents exactly what we believe in, putting Foster leaders at the center of the solutions we're fighting for. Together, we're stronger.
Opportunities to Engage
This is the moment when all of our voices matter most. We're recruiting community members to have a key role in speaking on all 3 of our legislative priorities:
Are you interested in sharing your story?
Are you interested in testifying at the legislature?
Would you or your organization like to formally support?
Something else?
Send a note to advocacy@fosteradvocates.org, and our advocacy team will schedule a time to connect with you!
Whether you can testify, volunteer, donate, or simply amplify our message—let's connect. It takes a village.
“We all have a role to play in creating a child welfare system that truly services Fosters. When the system does right by Fosters, it uplifts all those around them”
Our Focus Areas
Foster Advocates will advance 3 strategic initiatives in the 2026 Legislative Session:
Advocating for the Prioritization of Fosters for school programming
Supporting Successful Transitions for Fosters: Improving EFC Program
Advocating for Survivor Benefits & Social Security Income (SSI) for Fosters
Foster Advocates is supporting and monitoring the following initiatives:
Foster Bill of Rights: Minnesota is one of only 5 states that does not have a foster youth bill of rights in statute, code, or agency policy. Led by the Ombuds Office for Foster Youth (OOFY), the goal of this bill is to provide a clear, consolidated bill of rights that ensures that everyone, in every county in Minnesota, is operating from the same standard to ensure clarity on the protections for young people who are often the most vulnerable. Sign on to the letter of support here
Increased investment for the Successful Transitions to Adulthood for Youth (STAY) Program. This is the only state program that offers designated funds to counties and nonprofits to provide independent living services and financial support to eligible youth ages 14 up to age 23 in their transition to adulthood. As a state we have not increased our investment in nearly 20 years. This creates a significant gap and need for our community.
Supporting Successful Transitions for Fosters: Increasing STAY investment & Improving the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program: Rep. Cedrick Frazier
Minnesota has a strong EFC Program, but we believe we can do so much more to better support our Fosters in their transition into adulthood. Our bill seeks to:
1.) Increase MN investment in the Successful Transitions to Adulthood for Youth (STAY) Program
2.) Expand eligibility for Fosters ages 21 - 26, with a step-down financial component
3.) Optimize support services and independent livings skills needed to improve the transition into adulthood
4.) Improve training for caseworkers to better support this unique & vulnerable population
We know barriers still exist:
Approximately 1 in 4 those who participated in EFC remained enrolled in the program for the maximum duration spanning from their 18th birthday up until they turned 21…
54% of Fosters exiting the program spent less than one year participating in EFC, with 39% of participants who exited the program doing so within the first 6 months of participation…
There is no formal training or state requirements that case workers should meet to understand the nuances of a Foster transitioning to adulthood…
Preservation of Survivor Benefits & Social Security Income (SSI) for Fosters: Sen. Melissa Wiklund
Minnesota counties routinely seize federal SSI and SB funds from approximately 1,400 children who have experienced foster care, roughly $6-11 million annually in funds intended to support them, without notice, consent, or reimbursement. We are introducing legislation to finally end this practice and:
1.) Require county agencies to screen for eligibility and apply to be rep payee for eligible Fosters
2.) Establishing a trust to preserve funds through competitive RFP process
3.) Establish mechanism to backfill counties for eligible funds
Advocating for the Prioritization of Fosters for School Programming: Rep. Mary Frances Clardy.
We are working with Rep. Mary Frances Clardy and an incredible advocate on legislation to prioritize Fosters and their caregivers when it comes to school programming. This legislation also seeks to improve training and access to resources for foster parents and providers when they are stepping into this important role, and planning ahead.
Our biggest intention with the legislation is to better support families, keep families together and prevent unnecessary placement disruptions.
Upcoming Events
Please join us for our next Legislative Lunch & Learn and keep up with all the updates.
Next Lunch & Learn: March 12th at 12pm, noon
