Overview of Adoption Services Philosophy of the Adoption Program Becoming an Adoptive Parent Other Helpful Resources Meeting Schedules/Training Dates Adoption Support Group Information Need More Information?

Overview of Adoption Services

• Provide case management services and seek adoptive homes for children under the guardianship of the MN Commissioner of Human Services (State Wards).
• Provide resource information for families seeking to adopt.
• Co-facilitate a support group with Sherburne County for individuals and families who are interested in adopting, in the process of adopting, or who have adopted already.
• Provide on-going training on adoption related topics.
• Provide a confidential venue for information sharing between biological relatives and adoptive families who have committed to court ordered contact agreements.
• Complete court ordered home assessments and background studies for relative and step-parent adoptions taking place in Wright County District Court.
• Complete post adoption searches referred from the Department of Human Services for adults who were adopted through Wright County Human Services Agency.

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Philosophy of the Adoption Program

Every child in Wright County who is legally free for adoption deserves a permanent home.  Wright County Human Services adoption program primarily works with children who have been involved with the child protection system.  Our initial goal is to reunify a child with their biological parents.  Should this not be possible and the child becomes a State Ward, we would then search for a family to be the child’s forever home through adoption.  Our priority is to find a family who is best able to meet the child’s individual and specific needs and who is also a positive fit for the child’s personality and preferences.  Often foster parents who have previously cared for the child choose to adopt them permanently.

Parents
Adoptive parents may be single, married, gay/lesbian, childless, or already parenting other children. You do not need to own a home or have a high income.  Divorce or a history of personal counseling does not affect eligibility to adopt.  There is no upper age limit for parents.  Religion, gender, racial background, color, creed, national origin, public assistance status, or disability does not affect eligibility to become an adoptive parent.  Previous parenting experience is not required.  These children need one or two loving parents willing to face challenges and make a life long commitment.

Children
Most of the children we work with are school age and have experienced emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse.  They are often developmentally delayed due to neglect and lack of stimulation in early childhood.  They may also have learning disabilities or be behind in school.  Some children have had prenatal exposure to drugs.  Many are sibling groups who need to be adopted together.  Most of the children struggle with emotional and/or behavioral problems related to their experiences; which may require extra patience and care from their caregivers.  One thing these children all have in common is that they need permanent loving parent(s) and family.

ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act)
In 1978, the Federal government passed public law 95-608, known as the Indian Child Welfare Act or ICWA.  In 1998, the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota tribes negotiated an agreement that articulates how the Act will be enforced.  This act applies to all of the native children currently available for adoption in Wright County.  For more information about ICWA, click on MN ADOPT.

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Becoming an Adoptive Parent

If your family has decided that you would like to adopt, you will need to complete a home study.  Wright County Human Services participates in the Public/Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI) program.  Through this initiative, the MN Department of Human Services contracts with private adoption agencies to complete home studies for families interested in adopting children through the child welfare system.  To gain further information about this type of adoption and to begin the home study process, please contact a private agency participating in this initiative.  A list of these agencies can be found at Minnesota Adoption Resource Network.  All costs associated with adoption completion for Minnesota’s Waiting Children are paid for or reimbursed by the MN Department of Human Services.

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Other Helpful Resources

Information about adoption resources statewide can be found on the following websites:

MN ADOPT
Children's Home Society & Family Services

To view confidential profiles of current MN Waiting Children ready for adoption, visit the Minnesota Adoption Resource Network website - MN ADOPT.

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Adoption Support Group Information

Support group meetings are designed for concurrent foster care providers, people in the process of adoption, and people who have completed adoption.  There is an activity group provided for children age 10 and older.  Child care for younger children is available during the meetings at the Monticello Community Center for a small fee.

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Need More Information?

You can contact us in a variety of ways: 

E-Mail:  Contact our adoption staff at adoption@co.wright.mn.us.

Telephone:  Adoption questions, contact Jill Marzean, 763-684-2318.

Office:  Our office is located in Buffalo in the Human Services Center.  A map and address to the office are available online for your convenience.

Click here for information on Child Foster Care.

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