DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On Minnesota African American Family Preservation And Child Welfare Disproportionality Act
end
PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act.
SUMMARY
On July 1, 2024, legislation established the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (Act) in MN Stat., Chapter 117 within Minn. Stat. ?? 260.61 to 260.693. The development of the Act is aimed to address the disproportionate representation of African American families and other overrepresented populations in the child welfare system. The Act focuses on preventing unnecessary removal of children from their families and ensuring families receive the necessary support to stay together and thrive. Implementation of the Act began in Hennepin and Ramsey counties January 1, 2025, with a plan to phase in all counties statewide January 1, 2027.
The Act is comprised of the following key provisions:
* Responsible social service agencies are required to make "active efforts" to prevent the removal of children from their families and to facilitate reunification. Safety plans are to be implemented with specific parameters to allow children to remain in their home. Active effort would also include culturally specific supports and services as well as involving the family planning and service selection.
* Social service agencies will have limitations on the use of emergency removals, foster care placements and termination of parental rights to better ensure children are not unnecessarily removed from their homes.
* Cultural competency training is mandated for case workers, supervisors, judges, guardians ad litem, and attorneys working in the child welfare system.
* Counties will be required to conduct regular case reviews, develop remediation plans when necessary, and report data on t...
Click here for full text