Ampersand Families Ampersand Families

Ampersand Families provides permanency and adoption services to older youth and families who face barriers to equity in child welfare, and champions systemic changes that advance belonging, dignity and hope. Our vision is that every young person whose life has been disrupted by trauma and subsequent child welfare intervention will be restored to a safe, permanent family with an urgency that honors the brevity of childhood.

Ampersand Families is the only adoption agency in Minnesota whose services are all aimed at providing permanency and adoption services for older youth and families who face barriers to equity in Minnesota's child welfare system - that's older youth (mostly ages 10 and older), Black, brown and Indigenous and GLBTQ youth. The agency provides child specific recruitment services to youth, training/home studies and support to relative and non-relative families, and consultation and training regarding equity in the delivery of permanency services.

Ampersand Families is committed to ensuring that youth retain connections to relatives, kin, community and culture even as they experience the heartache of being involved in the child welfare system. Whenever possible, we strive to achieve permanency with a relative or someone already known to the youth. We welcome non-relative families to the adoption process and support them to navigate the complex world of helping youth heal from trauma.

Ampersand Families provides adoption services through the Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI), funded by Minnesota Department of Human Services. The margin of excellence and innovation that are standard at Ampersand Families' are funded by generous foundation, corporate and individual donors.

We are also the home of Minnesota Heart Gallery--a statewide effort, benefiting from nearly 150 volunteer photographers, to promote awareness of waiting youth. Visit the gallery at www.minnesotaheartgallery.org.

http://www.ampersandfamilies.org