DSD eList announcement
Date: April 28, 2026
To: Lead agencies, MnCHOICES assessors, disability waiver case managers, county attorneys and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division, on behalf of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
Purpose: To clarify when waiver-funded residential services are considered foster care placements for children and youth
Effective: April 9, 2026
Webinar date: June 4, 2026
Contact: dcyf.csp.fostercare@state.mn.us
Clarification about waiver-funded residential services as foster care placements
On April 9, 2026, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) published Bulletin #26-68-06: Clarifying when waiver-funded residential services are foster care placements for children and youth (PDF).
This bulletin:
1. Clarifies when federal and state law consider the following waiver services to be foster care placements, consistent with the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS):
2. Outlines the requirements for SSIS data entry to document placement stability when children and youth receive waiver crisis respite in hotel settings.
3. Clarifies how waiver residential services intersect with child welfare foster care requirements, documentation expectations and foster care maintenance payments.
County/Tribal Nation actions
County social service agencies and Tribal Nations that participate in the American Indian Child Welfare Initiative must review and follow the guidance in Bulletin #26-68-06: Clarifying when waiver-funded residential services are foster care placements for children and youth (PDF).
Webinar about policy clarifications
DCYF will host a webinar to review these policy clarifications on Thursday, June 4, 2026.
Event details and registration
Use the following information to attend:
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