A Winter Olympics-style graphic would show that 2015 reform legislation produced some gold medals for children. Child protection no longer has any voluntary cases. Statewide maltreatment standards mean that 10,700 more children are receiving child protection help each year. Increased caseloads generated $220 million annually in federal matching funds, which pays for 400 more caseworkers statewide.
But most reforms around child safety have languished – more like DNFs (Did Not Finish). Children can still be intimidated into silence because parents continue to get advance notice of child protection visits, and are present during interviews. And, we don’t know what happened to other reforms, for example whether there is 24/7 coverage statewide, and if County Attorneys are reviewing cases prior to closing.
2015 produced a few durable improvements, but there has been little progress since. Children are overdue for new victories.
Look for a new podcast next week from Safe Passage Executive Director Rich Gehrman with an in-depth update on Minnesota child welfare reforms. Tune in on your favorite podcasting platform.
My experience is as a grandmother (and professional RN) who learned first-hand the detriments of my grandson’s mother being a voluntary case. I wish I knew more of this situation a year ago as it may have saved a lot of heartache and child trauma. I would push for the public to have more knowledge of this issue. I’m more than willing to push for changes in the legislature and make this issue public.
Yes, it defies comprehension at so little changes from 2015?
Many of my pediatrician colleagues new nothing about Brandon Stahl’s stories nor the controversy. A leader in MNAAP which gave an award to Brandon did not recall the name nor the story? To this day, MNAAP does not list this issue as an important child issue. MNAAP did support a ‘tax on candy’ hoping to discourage families / kids buying candy causing obesity. Defies comprehension at how or why not certain issues don’t create change or a persistent passion? I am finding that many of these organizations function in a state of isolation and even the community / public tends to function in isolation and ignorance.
How to change that isolation and spread the word / unite is the challenge?