450 North Syndicate Street, Ste. 321
St. Paul, MN 55104
tel : 651-603-5927
fax: 651-603-5618

Email : stpaulmn@downeyside.org

Current Staff

Maureen McGuire- State Program Manager, brings tons of experience to Downey Side. As a licensed social worker, she has worked with children and families for many years. Her resume reflects her extensive counseling, treatment planning skills, and experience with children and families. We are thrilled to welcome Maureen to Downey Side's Saint Paul Family Life Center!

Patty Schulte, Administrative Assistant brings her administrative skills and strong organizational abilities to help our St. Paul office run smoothly. Patty has experience in various settings and is skilled in business writing and accounting coursework.

 

DOWNEY SIDE INQUIRY INFORMATION

ABOUT THE CHILDREN:
• Are under state guardianship because their parents’ rights were terminated
• They have been traumatized during their critical developmental years
• Most will need additional educational, medical or psychological help
• Most have suffered abuse or neglect
• Most have special needs due to physical, emotional or behavioral difficulties
• Some are siblings who need to be adopted together
• Some are children of color
• Most are 6-18 years old

WHAT WE DO:
• Recruit adoptive parents
• Provide an 18 hour training seminar
• Complete adoption studies and updates for families
• Provide services for families before and after adoption
• Locate and place children in adoptive homes
• Prepare documents for the court to finalize adoption
• Provide 18 months of services following adoption finalization
• Provide advocacy for adoptive parents and their children
• Provide referrals to community resources for parents and children
• 24-hour availability to Family Life Advocate in case of emergency

WHAT IS THE PROCESS:
• Attend training and decide if this kind of adoption is right for you
• Get licensed: complete application, complete home study, Background studies, possible fire marshall inspections. The licensing process can take up to six weeks once your application is complete. At that time Downey Side has 20 days to submit your application to DHS for your license.
• Search for children (MARN book, internet, referral from worker)
• We work with social workers to find a match (send home study)
• Meet children and arrange transfer (set up school, medical, etc.)
• Placement (get subsidy, paperwork in order, services, etc.)
• Legal adoption (3 months to 1 year after placement)

WHAT IS THE COST:
• There are no fees to parents adopting children under state guardianship
• Need to have a current physical *
• Transportation (mileage) to meet child *
• Hotel and meals when meeting with child *
• Phone calls you may make to us or social workers
• $325 filing fee to court during finalization *
• Judgment and Decree and new Birth Certificates during finalization *
• TIME AND ENERGY

* Denotes that costs may be reimbursed after adoption finalization is completed.Amount will vary depending on state finalizing through.

 

Exploring Adoption Class Schedule

Orientation & Information Meeting

Downey Side…families for youth, invites community members to attend a FREE information session regarding adoption and Minnesota’s Waiting Children. Downey Side’s next information session will be Tuesday, August 16th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM and Tuesday, September 13th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Downey Side Minnesota, 450 North Syndicate Street, Suite 321 St. Paul, MN 55104. Pre-registration required. To register, email stpaulmn@downeyside.org or call 651-603-5927.

Downey Side....Families for Youth
Bigelow Building
450 No. Syndicate Street - Suite 321
St. Paul, MN 55104


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Downey Side Family Support Meetings

Open to all Adoptive Parents and Prospective Adoptive Parents.

Location: Downey Side Family Life Center
450 North Syndicate, Ste 321
St. Paul, MN 55104

Please RSVP to stpaulmn@downeyside.org or call 651-603-5927

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Downey Side MN is proud to work in collaboration with the MN Department of Human Services on the Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI), a partnership between the public and private agencies throughout the State. One of our primary focuses is to find permanent families for the over 500 waiting children in our state. Downey Side families also have the opportunity to search for children in states other than Minnesota. We have established many successful working relationships throughout the country.

 

 

 

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