I’m Lindsay Brekke. I am currently finishing my graduate degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. I am completing my internship at the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and focusing on child welfare policy. My interests are youth aging out-of-foster care and foster parent training and support.

What’s to come with posts from me!

Have you ever thought about what a foster parent needs to be successful besides what is in MN rules? It’s YOU, the supportive child welfare system. The system is not only child welfare workers but health care professionals, educators, law enforcement, the courts and legislators. Without a team approach not only is the foster parent and child welfare system unclear on expectations but the child is lost too. Minnesota Policy recognizes the importance of teaming with the use of family group decision making; see MN Statute 260.163 subd. 12.
Did you know that last year in Minnesota there were over 11,000 children in out-of-home care and of that approximately 68% were in foster care (relative and nonrelative)? These numbers are alarming, which may call for more action to be done to ensure these children and foster parents are getting the services they need.
To hear more about policies surrounding foster care and youth aging out-of- foster care check out my blog posts at the CASCW Policy Blog.