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June 11, 2025 Heidi Seaton, Authorized Agent North Homes, Inc. 4225 Technology Dr. NW Bemidji, MN 56601 License Number: 804156 CORRECTION ORDER Dear Ms. Seaton: On April 9-10, 2025, a Department of Human Services (DHS) licensor conducted a licensing review at your facility located at 4225 Technology Dr. NW, Bemidji, MN. As a result of this visit, DHS determined that you are in violation of three of the child-placing agency rules and statutes. As a result, DHS is issuing this order, which requires you to take the corrective action as described below. Details of our findings are provided below. Our next steps and your options are also detailed. LICENSING VIOLATIONS DHS determined that your program failed to follow licensing rules and statutes, as described below. 1. Violation: Your agency’s employee orientation identifies that orientation must be completed within 45 days of their date of hire. It is required that within the first five working days of the employee’s or volunteer’s starting date, the agency must provide orientation. Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0805, subpart 2. Repeat Violation: In a Correction Order that DHS issued on May 18, 2022, you were previously found in violation of this same Rule. 2. Violation: As a result of a licensing review, a DHS licensor determined that you failed to request background studies for two controlling individuals at the time they were appointed to the board of directors. On March 20, 2025, your agency affiliated the background studies of the two individuals with your child-placing agency license. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.03, subdivision A, paragraph 7; Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph b. Repeat Violation: In a Correction Order that DHS issued on May 18, 2022, you were previously found in violation of this same Statute. 3. Violation: In your agency disclosure statement for adoption, it fails to state that a copy of DHS 3206 (completing a private domestic adoption in Minnesota) has been provided. The information is provided in the foster care and adoption information for applicants, but not in the disclosure statement as required. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 259.37, subdivision 2, paragraph 5. Corrective action required You must correct the violations cited above. Submit documentation to your licensor within 30 days from when you received this order explaining how you have corrected the violations. RECOMMENDATION The following recommendation(s) are not requirements of the licensing rules and statutes that govern your services or facility. DHS has provided the recommendations below to call your attention to areas where your facility is in minimum compliance with the requirements of applicable rules or statutes. DHS recommends that you comply with the following recommendations to ensure that you continue to meet the requirements of applicable licensing rules and statutes. Your failure to follow these recommendations will not result in a fine or action against your license at this time. However, should your failure to follow these recommendations result in a violation of rules or laws at a future date, you will be cited for noncompliance, and DHS could issue a fine or other licensing action. 1. Recommendation: Beginning July 1, 2025, a new requirement identifies that all agencies need to add “a statement regarding the right of an adopted person to request and obtain a copy of the adopted person's original birth record at the age and circumstances specified in section 144.2253 and the right of the birth parent named on the adopted person's original birth record to file a contact preference form with the state registrar pursuant to section 144.2253”. Be sure to add this to your agency’s disclosure statement. Statute: Minnesota Statutes, section 259.37, subdivision 2, paragraph 7. YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST RECONSIDERATION You have the right to request reconsideration of this order in writing. Your request must: 1. Specify the parts of the correction order that are alleged to be in error; 2. Explain why they are in error; and 3. Include documentation to support the allegation of error. If you are mailing your request, it must be received by DHS within 20 calendar days from when you received this order. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to request reconsideration. The timeline to appeal began when you received this order. Please send it to: Commissioner, Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General Legal Counsel’s Office Attn: Licensing Legal Unit PO Box 64953 St. Paul, MN 55164-0953 If your request is being personally delivered, it must be received by DHS within 20 calendar days from when you received this order. Please bring it to: Commissioner, Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General Legal Counsel’s Office Attn: Licensing Legal Unit 444 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155 Legal authority for this licensing action · This action is taken under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.06, subdivision 1. · This child placing agency must maintain compliance with the licensing statutes and rules, specifically Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0755 through Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0845. · The timeline to request reconsideration of the order is provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.06, subdivision 2. Questions If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Karol Jensen-Schneider, Licensor, at 651-431-3469. Sincerely,
Tamara Moore, Unit Supervisor Licensing Division Office of Inspector General
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