Voluntary Foster Care
Enacted in 2008, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260D. Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment governs how parents and county social services agencies place children in residential care or foster care for treatment of a mental illness or a developmental disability. The law makes it clear that parents do not have to relinquish custody to obtain treatment for their children.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness - Minnesota, has developed a guide that explains the legal perspectives and timelines associated with voluntary out-of-home placements, while also highlighting the family's perspective. Keeping Families Together Resource Guide: A Guide for Families to Understand Intensive Treatment Options for Children with Mental Illnesses (February 2016)
Additional information and resources may be found at the National Alliance on Mental Health - Minnesota website.