Last month a coalition of dozens of professionals on the frontlines of the child protection system—child abuse pediatricians, foster parents, social workers, judges, law enforcement, mental health providers, and advocates—sent a powerful message to the Minnesota’s Supreme Court Council on Child Protection: children’s safety must come first. Thousands of children have been severely harmed in recent years, and the system must do better.
Through a coordinated letter, The Coalition and Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota laid out clear recommendations, such as:
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Focus on children under 3, who comprise 70 percent of maltreatment fatalities.
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Provide mandatory training on the effects of trauma for all professionals interacting with children.
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Ensure that every child has timely medical evaluations, access to foster care, and an independent Guardian ad Litem.
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Support public education campaigns warning families about dangers like fentanyl and unsecured firearms.
Systemic reforms are urgently needed, among them statewide standards, consistent protocols, and stronger coordination between child protection, law enforcement, and trusted community partners. The Coalition also highlighted the need to address disparities affecting Black and Native American children and enforce accountability so every child is protected.
This is a call to action. Minnesota’s children cannot wait. Every day the system falls short, putting children’s lives and futures at risk. The Supreme Court Council has the power to create a roadmap for change. It is time to protect every child in our state.
We are hopeful the Supreme Court Council will include our recommendations in its final report, which will be sent to the legislature in January. We will be watching for it.