Compiled by Stacy Gehringer, MSW, LICSW (she/her), Director of Outreach 

Minnesota lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday, January 31st. With a divided legislature, COVID-19, a $7.7 billion dollar surplus, and an election year– there will be much to follow. Governor Tim Walz (DFL) has shared that his top priorities include lowering healthcare costs,  creating a paid family and medical leave program, increasing funding for vulnerable adults and children, providing checks for frontline workers, replenishing the unemployment insurance trust fund issue and one time tax rebates for Minnesotans. This Star Tribune article also breaks down the variety of issues sure to impact children and families. Of particular interest to child welfare workers, advocates will be keeping a close eye on spending and legislation related to early learning and childcare.

2021 Snapshot 

Last year’s 2021 legislative session wrapped up with the passage of the parent representation bill, which requires courts to appoint a lawyer for parents who cannot afford one in all child protection. The foster care licensing bill, which removes several low-level and nonviolent offenses from the list of crimes that would disqualify a person from becoming a foster parent, also passed. Another critical bill that passed was the higher education bill which will now allow anyone between the age of 13 and 27 who is or was in foster care as a teenager eligibility for a new program, which will cover tuition, living expenses, books and supplies at public and most private colleges and universities. The legislature also voted to fully fund the Indian Child Welfare Training and Certification Partnership (also known as TTCP) at the University of Duluth establishing training requirements for child welfare workers as well as the development of Indigenous child welfare training for American Indian tribes. There was much, much more happening last year, including important pieces around implementation of federal legislation Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), as well as the failure of the African American Family Preservation Act to pass.

For a more comprehensive summary of 2021 child welfare legislation, check out DHS bulletin 21-68-25 and stay tuned for implementation updates.

What’s to come in 2022? 

As we enter the 2022 session, we’ll gain a better understanding of emerging issues and policy agendas offered by advocates and stakeholders working for children and families across Minnesota. According to policy advocates in Minnesota, a sample of emerging issues related to child welfare include:

  • the establishment of an ombudsperson for fosters
  • amend Minnesota statute to prioritize permanency options that do not require terminating parental rights
  • a bill requiring separate interview processes for children and their parents
  • legislation addressing the predatory offender registry as it relates to TPR
  • a bill to fund efforts to recruit, engage, and support foster and adoptive families of color, so the pool of parents better represents the racial and ethnic background of children in care

While we provide a sample of bills being proposed to address issues related to children, youth, and families (ie – child welfare, poverty, behavioral health, early learning, children’s health), there are many many more that we encourage you to watch for. Throughout the session, CASCW staff will continue to share relevant and important information on a variety of proposed bills that could impact the child welfare workforce and the children and families they serve. We’ve listed several organizations below that focus their ongoing work around policy affecting child welfare policy in Minnesota.

Follow bills using the MN legislative bill tracker and create your own stash of bills to track using the MyBills feature . Check out the search feature by topic (ie – adoption, child abuse and neglect childcare), committees (ie – early childhood), action, or statute.

Find scheduled committee hearings such as Early Childhood Finance and Policy, Senate HHS Finance and Policy, Senate HS Reform Finance and Policy Committee, and Senate HS Licensing Policy.

Organizations with legislative advocacy agendas 

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list!

As you explore these organizations, we invite you to do your own critical thinking about how these policy initiatives do and do not impact kids and families. What might be the benefits of proposed legislation? How about the unintended consequences?

National Association of Social Workers (MN)
NASW-MN is the leading voice for social work in the state. Our efforts have direct impacts on social work practice in Minnesota; on social workers – members and not-yet-members – as well as the clients and communities they serve.

Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA)
MSSA supports the health and human service profession through education, advocacy, and member benefits.

AspireMN
AspireMN improves the lives of children, youth and families served by member organizations through support for quality service delivery, leadership development and policy advocacy.

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)
MCN works to inform, promote, connect, and strengthen individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector.

Child Care Aware Minnesota
CCA MN is a membership-based nonprofit organization working to advance a high-quality, affordable child care system that supports children’s growth, development, and early education. They also have a legislative bill tracker. 

Foster Advocates
FA advocates for legislative, policy, and practice reform at all levels to improve experiences for Minnesota Fosters.

Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP)
Through a focus on innovative policy, substantive research, training, and community engagement, the Institute to Transform Child Protection works toward a more effective nationwide child protection system that preserves families, prevents trauma, and builds resilience within communities.

Safe Passage for Children of Minnesota 
To ensure that Minnesota has a child welfare system in which children are safe and reach their full potential.

NACAC 
Through advocacy, adoption support, leadership development, and education the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) works to ensure all children in foster care have permanent, loving families and adoptive families have the support they need.