We’ve circled an important date on the calendar: February 12. That’s when Minnesota’s legislative session officially begins. However, important groundwork is being laid now.
The Legislative Child Protection Task Force has met twice to discuss possible reforms to the state’s child protection system. Chaired by Sen. Nicole Mitchell and Rep. Dave Pinto, the task force was created to “identify additional areas within the child welfare system that need to be addressed by the legislature.”
Of course, Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota has weighed in. Our Board Chair, Dr. Lisa Hollensteiner, in conjunction with Dr. Mark Hudson, and Marcia Milliken, convened a group of professionals with frontline experience to provide suggestions to the task force. More than a dozen experts signed onto a letter outlining several recommendations.
Our main focus this year will be to suggest legislation that improves screening practices, recognizing there are far too many high-risk cases still being referred to Family Assessment. We have also advocated for statewide standards, increasing chemical dependency and mental health resources for families, and improving data transparency.
We have and will continue to be a resource for legislators – before, during and after the session. We urge you to watch for more information about our Day at the Capitol to be announced soon.
Together, we can speak on behalf of children, who have no voice.
We at the National Link Coalition would like to see screening protocols include asking whether children have witnessed or committed acts of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect, since these are such sentinel indicators for child maltreatment.
Thank you for your comment, Phil. We agree that animal cruelty and neglect are indicators for child maltreatment. We will keep your organization in mind as we advocate for stronger screening protocols and protections. Thanks for all that you do.
We were told last week during a P.C. A. Assessment that mental health issues are not part of the Assessment and will not be included.
who are the professionals with frontline experience that provided recommendations to task force ? any frontline CP professionals
Thanks for your question about who are the professionals with frontline experience that we’re working with to provide recommendations. They include child abuse pediatricians, nurses/doctors, retired social workers, child mental health, law enforcement, retired judges and other professionals.
Happy to answer any other questions you may have.