Rep. Esther Agbaje
PRESS RELEASE
Minnesota House of Representatives
District 59B, 651-296-8659, rep.esther.agbaje@house.mn
539 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lindy Sowmick
989-289-8593 or lindy.sowmick@house.mn
February 18, 2022
Rep. Agbaje and Sen. Champion call for action on the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation Act
SAINT PAUL, MN - Today, Rep. Agbaje, Sen. Champion, and affected members of the community discussed the need to pass the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation Act. Senate File 843 and House File 1151 would stop the arbitrary removal of Black children from their homes by Child Protection Services.
Black children are over three times more likely to be reported and screened by Child Protection Services, and are placed in out-of-home care at a rate of 3-5.8 times more than white children. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, disproportionate out-of-home placement rates are not the result of poor parenting by certain ethnic groups, but the outcome of multiple systems with long histories of discrimination and racist practices that enforce policies unfairly, unjustly, and unethically.
“We need to address the systemic racism that leads to the disparities we’re seeing in family separation,” said Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL - Minneapolis). “Signing this proposal into law would declare it is the policy of this state to protect the interests of Black children. There is a great difference between races in the likelihood that a child will be removed from home and placed in foster care and then lose that stability and connection to their extended family.”
“The AAFPA seeks to build healthy families by keeping family members together,” said Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL - Minneapolis). “By addressing the collective needs of families, as well as the needs of individual family members, we all benefit – because healthy families lead to healthy neighborhoods and strong communities. Additionally, policies that confront racial disparities, promote accountability and transparency, and provide needed resources for culturally-grounded programs enhances our quality of life and improves outcomes for our state. I believe it takes all of us, as caring people, to work intentionally toward a state where all of us can strive and rise to the top.”
“The child protection reform that began under the orders of Governor Dayton failed to address Minnesota’s long-standing issue of disproportionality, unequal treatment, and harmful child welfare outcomes for African American families,” said Kelis Houston with Village Arms. “Our youth are displaced from home, family, and community at alarming rates and a large number are crossing over from child protection into the juvenile justice system. Racial disparities are found in the entire child protection process; from initial reporting, screening and assessment to discharge from the system. We all know that healthy families are vital to the success of our children and ultimately, our state. Everyone has a stake in ensuring Minnesota’s Child Protection system is fair and equitable. You can help us address these racial disparities and the injustice faced by these families through your support of the African American Family Preservation Act.”
The Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act would address disparities at every decision point while providing oversight and accountability to the child protection workforce through the creation of an African American Child Welfare Advisory Council within the Department of Human Services.
To view a powerful video explaining the need for this bill click here.
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