Mapletree accepts referrals for boys who are 16-20 years of age. All of the boys at Mapletree are on probation, under the supervision of a Minnesota juvenile court, or county social services. Most of the boys have been adjudicated on a delinquency petition. Some of the boys are dealing with mental health issues, including ADHD, chemical dependency, depression, conduct or anxiety disorders, sexual behaviors, and emotional disturbances. Mapletree has some limitations in our ability to work with kids who have significant physical disabilities, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities.
Most of the boys at Mapletree are not able to live at home and often have had challenges in school. Some have had difficulty with drugs, and may have been through treatment. Most have previous out-of-home placements including foster care, shelter programs, residential treatment, or correctional facilities. Often Mapletree is either the last opportunity for boys to stay out of a correctional facility, or their first opportunity to re-enter the community after successfully completing a correctional placement or residential treatment program.
Typically, kids at Mapletree are unable to return to live with a parent, and because of their offense history or other issues are not good candidates for traditional foster care. At ages 16 to 20, most of our boys are not looking for a foster family. Usually they just want support to finish their education, build job skills, save money, and prepare for independent living.
To make inquiries as to either current or expected availability, please call or use the contact form on our website, with REFERRAL as the beginning of the subject line.
Mapletree can accept kids from counties throughout Minnesota, and from outside Minnesota through the Interstate Compact. Funding for placement at Mapletree is contracted with the placing county, on a fee-for-service (per diem) basis.
Boys are typically referred to Mapletree by county probation officers or social workers. Inquiries are also accepted from mental health professionals, guardians ad litem, court dispositional advisors, attorneys, or concerned parents. When kids are referred and accepted for placement they are typically court-ordered to Mapletree, either through juvenile corrections or under a CHIPS petition.
Upon admission, each resident has an individualized placement plan established by his placement team (the resident, his family, professionals and concerned persons). Most guys are at Mapletree between 5 and 15 months. Some residents have remained at Mapletree for two years or more. Referrals are not accepted for placements shorter than three months. Most of the kids placed at Mapletree meet their goals of placement, graduate from the program successfully, and transition to independent living.