Online Training
Foster Care Licensing requires each provider to complete a certain number of initial and on-going training hours.
Record your training on our Child Foster Care Training Record (PDF)
Online Video Training
Provided are video trainings that are approved and can be used to complete these training hours. Each video training is listed below and has a short description of what is included. If you experience any problems viewing a video we suggest that you try again using Google Chrome. In order to receive credit for this training opportunity, each provider must watch the video/videos provided, follow along with the given information packet (power point) and then complete the self-test/post-test. When the provider has completed each section, the completed self-test/post-test must be returned to your Chisago County Licensor in order to receive credit for this training. Please ensure that your name and the date are on the form before submitting.
- Car Seat Training
- Children's Mental Health (CMH)
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parenting
- Overview of Mental Health Issues
- Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) and Abuse Head Trauma (AHT)
Car Seat Training
- Required prior to licensure when caring for children under 8 years of age.
In Minnesota, three out of four child seats are used incorrectly. Many parents and caregivers aren't aware of the restraint steps a child should progress through as they grow and age. A vehicle is the most dangerous place for children, and crashes are the leading killer of children under 14. Children are best protected in the rear seat. After training is complete, submit certificate to your licensing social worker. This training must be completed at least once every 5 years.
LINK to find the nearest class to register for car seat training near you - State of MN Website. You can also contact your licensing worker via email for more resources on this required training.
Children's Mental Health (CMH)
- Required prior to licensure
This video discusses various children's mental health diagnoses and its impact on their lives. This training has been approved and will meet the children's mental health requirement for foster care initial and on-going training.
- Children's Mental Health Video and Certification
- Minnesota Statute § 245A.175
- Two hours of training on children's mental health issues are required prior to licensure.
- One hour of the annual 12-hour training requirements must be on children's mental health issues and treatment.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- Required yearly after licensure
Two training options are available:
Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parenting
- Required prior to licensure
The Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act requires states to support normalcy for all children in foster care. Children and youth in foster care need to experience the same types of developmentally appropriate and social activities that their friends, families, and classmates who are not in care experience. This law permits foster parents, designated corporate foster care staff, and residential staff to allow foster children to participate in normal childhood activities by applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard.
Overview of Mental Health Issues
This training is a three-part series by the Minnesota Department of Education and it provides a better understanding of children's mental health disorders and its impact on learning and functioning. Included in this series are three videos which highlight anxiety, depression, and attention and behavior disorders. When all three sections of this training are complete, this also will meet the mental health requirement for foster care on-going training.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT)
- Required prior to licensure
Child foster care providers, caring for infants or children through 5 years of age, must be instructed and receive training on SUID/AHT at least once every 5 years. The training must have been developed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services and approved by the Minnesota Center for Professional Development.
Minnesota Statute § 245A.1435
Minnesota Statute § 245A.144
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome Video
The Department of Human Services has approved the following series of videos to meet the SUID component when individuals are not receiving face-to-face, classroom, or online SUID training. All videos must be viewed to meet the SUID training requirement.
Please Note: The videos below include portrayals of infant sleep environments in private, non-licensed, homes that are not subject to the requirements of Minnesota Statute § 245A.1435. License holders must comply with statutory safe sleep requirements by placing nothing in the crib except for an infant's pacifier. In addition, attachments or modifications to the crib are prohibited.
- Video produced by Hennepin County (4:17)
- Video produced by Eastern Virginia Medical School (5:50)
- Video produced by Dakota County (6:28)
Abusive Head Trauma Video
The Department of Human Services has approved the following series of videos to meet the AHT component when license holders are not receiving face-to-face, classroom, or online AHT training. All videos must be viewed to meet the AHT training requirement.
SUID & AHT Training Verification
Please complete Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome and Abuse Head Trauma Self-Test for training credit and submit.
Additional Trainings
Trainings below are extra and can be used to complete your minimum of 12 hours of training required per year.
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- Grief and Loss
- Guidelines for Responding to the Co-Occurrence of Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence
- Guardianships and Conservatorships
- Parenting Children and Youth Who Have Experienced Abuse and Neglect
- Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families
- Pathways to Permanency
- Supporting Older Youth Beyond Age 18
- Transracial Parenting in Foster Care And Adoption
LINK to FASD - Foster Care Webinar Training on State of MN Website. Webinars are offered by MN ADOPT and there may be a minimal cost. You can also contact your licensing worker via email for more resources on this required training.
Additional Links for Trainings
Department of Human Services: Foster Care / Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov)
FASD – Proof Alliance (formally MOFAS): Home - Proof Alliance
Foster parent and adoptive community: Foster Parents Community and Online Training Requires fees providers are responsible for paying.
Foster Parent College: FosterParentCollege.com: Online Training for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Parents and Caregivers Requires fees providers are responsible for paying.
MN Adopt: Foster Care & Adoption Training - CHLSS Foster Care Adoption Training
MN Association for Children’s Mental Health: MACMH | Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) MN: Classes - NAMI Minnesota (namimn.org) Offers free trainings online and in person in the metro area.
North American Council on Adoptable Children: Upcoming Trainings - The North American Council on Adoptable Children (nacac.org)
PACER Center: PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
Wilder Foundation: Foster Care & Adoption Training - CHLSS Foster Care Adoption Training
Other County Training Sites
Anoka County:
- Mandatory Training: Initial Training | Anoka County, MN - Official Website (anokacountymn.gov)
- Online Training: Online Training | Anoka County, MN - Official Website (anokacountymn.gov)
Scott County: Foster Care Training Links | Scott County, MN (scottcountymn.gov)
Washington County: Licensed Child Foster Care | Washington County, MN - Official Website