Minnesota

March 13, 2026                          

Jody Miller, Authorized Agent

Lutheran Social Service of MN

1605 Eustis Street

St. Paul, MN 55108

License Number: 801447 CPA

CORRECTION ORDER

Dear Ms. Miller:

On January 21-22, 2026, a Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensor conducted a licensing review at your facility located at 1605 Eustis Street, St. Paul, MN. As a result of this visit, DCYF determined that you are in violation of six of the child placing agency rules and statutes. As a result, DCYF is issuing this order, which requires you to take corrective action as described below. Details of our findings are provided below. Our next steps and your options are also detailed.

LICENSING VIOLATIONS

DCYF determined that your program failed to follow licensing rules and statutes, as described below.

1. Violation: Four staff members failed to complete orientation within 5 working days of an employee’s starting date.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0805, subpart. 2.

2. Violation: Three staff members failed to complete twelve hours of training annually as required.

i) Staff person 1 (SP1) completed 8.25 of twelve hours in year 1 and 5.75 of twelve hours in year 2.

ii) Staff person 2 (SP2) completed 9.25 of twelve hours in year 1.

iii) Staff person 3 (SP3) completed 10.25 of twelve hours in year 1.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0805, subpart. 3.

Repeat Violation: In a Correction Order that DCYF issued on March 27, 2024, you were previously found in violation of this same Rule.

3. Violations: The review of a sample of files indicated the following:

i) Adoption file 1: There were applications dated 9/29/24 and 10/1/25 but no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment updates.

ii) Adoption file 2: There was an application dated 4/30/25 but no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

iii) Adoption file 3: There was no application for the 2025 renewal. There was an application for 9/24/24 but no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

iv) Adoption file 4: The application dated 4/17/24 was completed after the home study assessment update dated 3/6/24. There was an application dated 5/19/23 but there were no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

v) Adoption file 6: There was an application dated 4/21/25 but there were no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

vi) Adoption file 7: The application dated 4/7/25 was completed after the home study assessment update dated 2/14/25. There was an application dated 3/26/24 but there were no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

vii) Adoption file 8: The application dated 7/28/25 was completed after the home study assessment update dated 3/14/25. There was an application dated 7/23/24 but there were no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment update.

viii) Adoption file 9: There were applications dated 11/21/23 and 11/3/24 but no corresponding individual fact sheets or home study assessment updates. Individual fact sheets dated 4/1/24 and 2/13/25 were completed on obsolete versions of the form. In addition, the application dated 4/1/24 failed to list the 2nd applicant. The application dated 9/23/25 was completed after the home study update dated 3/21/25. On that application, the first applicant marked “yes” for a previous address but failed to list the address. The second applicant listed a previous address but failed to answer the question about previous addresses.

ix) Adoption file 10: There was an application dated 6/17/25, but there were no corresponding individual fact sheets.

Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0835, subpart 2.

4. Violation: The agency provided a copy of the bond which outlined that it would cover the requirements in statute except the bond was not made in favor of the agency that will receive the records.

  Rule Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.10, subdivision 18.

Repeat Violation: In a Correction Order that DCYF issued on March 27, 2024, you were previously found in violation of this same Statute.

5. Violation: The description of the agency program and services failed to include a detailed description of orientation and training that is provided to foster parents and prospective adoptive families.

  Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9545.0815, subpart E.

6. Violation: The agency provided a copy of the disclosed statement. The disclosure statement failed to include a statement that an adopted person has the right to request and obtain a copy of the adopted person’s original birth record. Lutheran Social Service was notified of this deficit and provided updated documents.

  Rule Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.10, subdivision 18; Minnesota Statutes, section 259.37.

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.

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 sent by certified mail and postmarked 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 Children, Youth, and Families

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 DCYF within 20 calendar days from when you received this order. Please bring it to:

Commissioner, Department of Children, Youth, and Families

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 142B.16, subdivision 1.

· This child placing agency must maintain compliance with the licensing statutes and rules, specifically Minnesota Rules, parts 9545.0755 to 9545.0835.

· The timeline to request reconsideration of the order is provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 2.

Questions

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Karol Jensen-Schnieder, at 651-539-8228.

Sincerely,

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Tamara Moore, Unit Supervisor

Licensing Division

Office of Inspector General

C: Samatha Van Bogart, Supervisor


PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/