Institute for Children, Families, and Communities
now called Institute to Transform Child Protection
In an effort to better align with its mission, the Institute for Children, Families, and Communities at Mitchell Hamline School of Law is renaming itself the Institute to Transform Child Protection.
“While we remain committed to supporting families and communities, of course, the new name reflects the reality that it is through our work with children and the child protection system that strong families and communities are made possible,” said Professor Joanna Woolman, executive director of the institute.
Through a focus on innovative policy, substantive research, training, and community engagement, the institute works to create a more effective nationwide child protection system that preserves families, prevents trauma, and builds resilience within communities.
In Minnesota, child protection agencies receive more than 80,000 reports of child maltreatment each year. In 2017, more than 16,000 Minnesota children were removed from their homes and placed in foster care because of allegations of abuse and neglect. Many of these children are further traumatized by their interactions with the child protection system and through their time in foster care. Judges, lawyers, social workers, and advocates agree that whenever possible and safe for the children, families should be kept intact. Offering resources for families and providing well-trained and trauma-informed attorneys during the child protection legal process is necessary in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and their families.
INSTITUTE TO TRANSFORM CHILD PROTECTION
Smarter Systems. Stronger Families
transformchildprotection.org