The core of our mission at Children’s Law Center of Minnesota is to help children and youth in foster care understand their legal rights as they move through the foster care system to ensure they receive fair treatment. CLC has developed helpful information for people of all ages to understand their rights and legal options in different situations.
Knowing Your Rights
Right to Legal Counsel: A child has many questions about what will happen to them once they are placed in foster care. One of the most important things to know as a foster child is that you have the right to have legal counsel represent you through the entire process.
If you are 10 years old or older and are not able to afford legal counsel, you can ask the court to appoint counsel to represent you. Once you ask, the court is required to appoint counsel to represent you.
Your appointed legal counsel will represent your express wishes in the courtroom so the court knows what you think should happen going forward and can advocate for the things you need.
Many new issues will come up throughout the foster care process. Following is an informational handbook that helps you understand your rights throughout the different parts of the process.
Knowing Your Rights: A Handbook for Kids in Foster Care
Know Your Rights
There are many resources available to help you through foster care and overcome obstacles; the goal is to connect foster youth to the knowledge and resources they need when they need it. Below you will find information and references to resources in key areas to assist as you progress through foster care.
Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights (Minn. Stat. § 260C.008)
Minnesota law ensures that children in foster care have the right to maintain meaningful relationships with their siblings. When possible and in their best interest, siblings should be placed together or near each other to allow frequent contact, including visits, calls, and messages. Children also have the right to updated contact information and photos of their siblings, to be part of each other’s milestones, and to be informed about major changes in sibling placements or permanency plans. Adult siblings have the right to be considered as foster or adoptive parents. These rights must be provided in writing to children, their adult siblings, and foster caregivers.
Read the full statute (Minn. Stat. § 260C.008).
FAQs: Have More Questions?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find answers to common questions about CLC’s services, foster care placement, and legal proceedings.