Religious Rights of Youth in Out-of-Home Care - Minnesota
Youths' Religious Rights
Citation: Admin. Code § 2960.0050
A youth residing in a group out-of-home placement has a right to the following:
- To reasonable observance of cultural and ethnic practice and religion
- To be free from bias and harassment regarding race, gender, age, disability, spirituality, and sexual orientation
Agency Responsibilities
Citation: Ann. Stat. § 260C.193, Subd. 3(e); Admin. Code § 2960.0050; DHS-0139
If the child's birth parent expresses a preference for placing the child in a foster home of the same or similar religious background as that of the birth parent, the court shall place the child with an individual who meets the parent's religious preference.
In regulation: The child-caring facility must give the youth a written copy of the resident's basic rights information and explain to the youth in a language that they can understand, if they are incapable of understanding the written basic rights documents, information about the youth's rights related to their care in the facility within 24 hours of admission.
In policy: In the Agreement Between Foster Parents and Licensing Agency (DHS-0139), the foster caregiver must agree to make every effort to increase their understanding of and respect for the child and their family's religious, racial, and cultural heritage, as well as sexual orientation and gender identity.
Addressing Grievances
Citation: Admin. Code § 2960.0050
A youth residing in a group out-of-home placement has a right to the following:
• To have access to protection and advocacy services, including the appropriate State-appointed ombudsman
• To be informed of and to use a grievance procedure
The child-caring facility must inform youth residing in the facility of how to contact the appropriate State-appointed ombudsman and give residents the name, address, and telephone number of the State-appointed ombudsman.