More than 125 concerned Minnesotans gathered October 8 at the University of St. Thomas for the Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota 2024 Legislative Breakfast and Fundraiser. Attendees learned sobering facts about the dangers of neglect and abuse faced by Minnesota children, while also receiving encouraging news about key accomplishments on behalf of at risk kids during the 2024 legislative session.
“It Takes a Team!” was the theme of the breakfast event, and of the focused education forum that followed. Attendees were reminded that officials across the state of Minnesota receive more than 200 calls each day from citizens concerned about child abuse or neglect. Yet in more than half of those cases, no further action is taken. “It takes a team … to keep advocating” for improvement, declared Safe Passage board chair Lisa Hollensteiner.
Embodying the teamwork theme were two Minnesota legislators, Republican Rep. Jim Nash and DFL Rep. Kelly Moller, who were presented with the 2024 Child Safety MVP Award. Reps. Nash and Moller came together earlier this year to lead enactment of Nash’s important legislation making it a misdemeanor for anyone to interfere with a Minnesota mandatory reporter’s filing a report of suspected child abuse.
Nash and Moller told the audience that their partnership is evidence of how even in polarized times compelling issues can bring policymakers together across party lines. And the diverse coalition supporting Safe Passage shows that the cause of strengthening Minnesota’s child protection system is one of those issues.
Melissa DeBilzan, executive director of Safe Passage, told the Oct. 8 audience: “Safe Passage is the only organization in Minnesota… that is pushing back against child welfare practices that favor the interests of parents and communities over the safety and best interests of children…And we will continue to advocate on behalf of children who are at highest risk of abuse and neglect. Because these kids can’t advocate for themselves.”