Our Mission
& Vision
Our mission is to stand alongside foster, kinship, and adoptive families, offering both emotional and practical support to alleviate stress and prevent burnout. Through collaborative partnerships with the community, we create opportunities for everyone to engage in meaningful ways, ensuring no family walks alone on their journey.
Our Why
Research indicates that between 30% to 50% of foster parents opt to close their homes to foster children annually due to overwhelming stress, burnout, and insufficient training. This unfortunate trend often occurs within the first year of fostering, despite the critical need for supportive environments for children emerging from challenging backgrounds and trauma.
We recognize that community members may be unaware of the various avenues through which they can offer assistance. Hence, our aim is to facilitate tailored solutions for each individual, family, business, or religious institution.
Echoing the sentiment of Jason Johnson, "Everyone can do something," we endeavor to guide the community in discovering their unique contribution. Regardless of the chosen avenue of support, every effort makes a meaningful impact in the lives of these children and families.
12,312
children in out-of-home
care in Minnesota
259
children in out-of-home
care in Dakota County
267
licensed foster care homes
in Dakota County
Testimonials
“Foster Together has had a powerful impact in our family's life. We are especially grateful for all the relationships we have formed with other families who are walking similar journeys. Being matched with a mentor gave me courage, especially in the beginning when I felt like I had new questions every hour. On some of my hardest days, I've been able to reach out and find support in fellow foster parents. The monthly coffee with moms has been especially helpful for me. It offers a place to ask questions, be encouraged, and normalize your own experiences. My kids also really look forward to all the fun events like bowling, ice cream, and party in the park!" – Foster and Adoptive Parent
“Thank you so much for all of your support and assistance during this transition. Having Foster Together MN provide this service to us allowed us to focus on the kiddos and preparing our home and ourselves for their arrival. We are beyond appreciative of everything that was donated." – Foster Parent
"Foster Together MN was so quick to reach out and support when we received a placement. Yes, I could have gone to target and gotten diapers myself. But it is more than that. It shows unity, it shows support, and it shows community. Knowing someone out there has your back and acknowledges that you are doing a really scary and exhausting and draining service and saying yes to a lot of unknowns is so appreciated." – Foster Parent
Our Team
Micayla Johnson
Board President, Founder
Micayla's heart and passion for the foster care and adoption communities has deepened through her own journey of becoming a foster mom. She believes that no one should feel alone in their experiences and is a mom on a mission to prevent that from happening. She is excited to come alongside and build relationships with others who open their homes and hearts to kiddos in our area.
Brë McMullen
Vice President
Brë has been in the human services field for seven years serving children and families as a social worker and mental health practitioner. She specialized in child foster care social work for the last four years. Brë has a passion for empowering families, fostering collective connections, and implementing intentional mindful practices. She believes that by supporting resource families, they in turn can feel more equipped in their support of others – optimistically resulting in the nurturing and preservation of families.
Barb Sipe
Board Treasurer
Barb was introduced to the foster care community when she became a foster grandma in 2021, but helping others has always been a passion of hers. In her career, she has been an elementary & special education teacher, stay at home parent to four children, Finance and Operations Manager at a nonprofit
organization, and is now a Client Service Coordinator at a wealth management company. She is blessed to serve the foster care community through this role.
Brooke Smith
Board Secretary,
Abundant Goods Lead
Brooke is a working mother and foster parent in Dakota County. Since becoming licensed in 2021, Brooke and her husband have provided respite, emergency, and long term care to foster children of all ages and backgrounds. Foster Together has been a crucial part of Brooke’s foster parent journey. She is excited to use her passion and experience to help serve other local foster families and support them through their journeys as well.
Richard P.
Board Member
Richard and his wife, Laura, have been licensed Foster Parents since 2021. They've talked about becoming Foster Parents since before they were married and are so happy this has become a reality. They also have two biological children, who keep them busy. They enjoy spending time together as a family and are connected to their community in Lakeville through their church and volunteering. He is thrilled to be joining the Foster Together MN Team and looks forward to helping others who are on the same journey as them!
Kim LaBlonde
Board Member
Kim is a dedicated foster parent with a desire to support youth in care, foster parents, and biological families. She enjoys seeing these relationships grow and develop over time. Her passion is finding and supporting connections so that nobody is left to navigate an experience alone. She believes supporting this community can create big change.
Warren Graver
Board Member
Warren is an author, a public sector consultant and technologist who has been in the human services ecosystem for over 15 years; primarily serving child welfare agencies. He has partnered with state and local government leadership and teams to modernize antiquated technologies, and enhance programs serving at-risk and foster youths. He is driven by a vision to reimagine child welfare through collaborative approaches that will facilitate the rebuilding of the families' and youth's village. He's excited to join the Foster Together team where his passion perfectly aligns with the team's mission.