Hennepin County Child Well-being Advisory Committee Meeting Summary (with KARA notations)

The complete report can be read in the READ MORE section below. This post emphasises the GAL program’s effort to eliminate CASA community volunteer Guardian ad Litems in favor of paid staff. The author made notes and corrected several minor spelling errors (notes are in parenthesis and in bold).

Hennepin County participants: Jodi Wentland; Dan Rogan; Lori Whittier; Evangeline Filosi; Patricia Zagaros; Sherry Smith; Lisa Bayley; Kwesi Booker; Michelle Lefebvre; Lori Munsterman; Fintan Moore; Lauren Kewley; Madeline Johnson; Shanese Reed; Rachelle Loewenson Stratton; Meredith Martinez: Lolita Ulloa 

 

Presenters: Victor Walker and Tami Baker-Olson from the Guardian ad Litem Program; Rhonda Serrano and Heidi Epstein from the American Bar Association (ABA) 

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program Update; Victor Walker, Program Manager and Tami Baker-Olson, Program Administrator with the 4th District Court GAL Program provided a presentation and overview of Guardian Ad Litem Program covering mandates, program reach, training, barriers, staffing. 

 Discussion; Justice McKeig inquired about the number of GAL volunteers in the last 2 years compared to the current number of volunteers. Mr. Walker recalled there were approximately 150-170 volunteers 2 years ago, (down from about 400 five years ago) currently there are approximately 32 volunteers (32 with many of them feeling pushed out and will not continue). Justice McKeig asked for clarification regarding rumors of a push or goal to move to a paid employee model. Mr. Walker referred to the 8th recommendation to return to a universal model of a paid employee noting there is a current cost benefit analysis in place and more details around this question will be available once the study is complete. At this time (for the last 3 years) volunteer recruitment is not occurring.

Paid GAL’s currently have approximately 24 cases (CASA volunteers have  about 3 cases, allowing them more time per child – including travel and weekends). Judge Kappelhoff expressed there is concern in the court’s view that the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 4th District is in crisis status, sharing examples. Discussion continued with staff turnover and retention efforts. Tami Baker-Olson provided information about the GAL position and its professional role including minimum qualifications. Judge Kappelhoff inquired about the current effort to recruit GAL’s. Tami Baker­ Olson referred back to HR staff making efforts through social media and community outreach. Kids At Risk Action is concerned with this tight labor market creating a smaller pool of qualified staff at low wages for what is deemed difficult work often involving mental health issues and personal tragedy. What will the caseloads be when County and State budgets are cut in predictable boom and bust economies?).

Tami and Victor also meet weekly to discuss staffing needs. Judge Kappelhoff remains very concerned. Dianne Heins voiced her concern of the current cases assigned to GAL’s not adding up to the number of children in foster care. Tami Baker-Olson offered to follow-up and look at the numbers and appointments of all their divisions. Commissioner Goettel concluded the conversation recognizing this is a challenging area right now in an important program with the question of what we can do to support and assist the Guardian Ad Litem Program work with the emphasis being on the recruitment and retention of volunteers with appropriate criteria. (CASAMN has about 200 volunteer applicants waiting, some for almost three years, many of them from diverse racial & professional backgrounds).

 Justice McKeig asked for clarification regarding rumors of a push or goal to move to a paid employee model. Mr. Walker referred to the 8th recommendation to return to a universal model of a paid employee noting there is a current cost benefit (more of a cost efficiency analysis) analysis in place and more details around this question will be available once the study is complete. At this time (and for the last 3 years) volunteer recruitment is not occurring. Paid GAL’s currently have approximately 20 cases (overseeing as many as 125 children).

Judge Kappelhoff expressed there is concern in the court’s view that the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 4th District is in crisis status, sharing examples (of employee and volunteer morale). Discussion continued with staff turnover and retention efforts. Tami Baker-Olson provided information about the GAL position and its professional role including minimum qualifications. Judge Kappelhoff inquired about the current effort to recruit GAL’s. Tami Baker­ Olson referred back to HR staff making efforts through social media and community outreach. 

Read the recent Safe Passage investigative report on

Minnesota Children in Child Protective Services

Killed by their Caregivers 

Read more about ending the

CASA Community Volunteer GAL program.

Read more  about what CASA volunteers provide

children in Child Protective Services

This article submitted by Mike Tikkanen

former CASA volunteer guardian ad Litem

All Adults are the Protectors of All Children

(30 second KARA video)

 

Hennepin County Child Well-being Advisory Committee
Meeting Summary for April 20, 2023
PREPARED BY: Sherry Smith, support staff to committee

PLACE: South Minneapolis Human Service Center and Microsoft Teams Meeting
Committee Members Position/Role Present

Angela Conley Hennepin County Commissioner, Chair
Debbie Goettel Hennepin County Commissioner, Co-Chair •
Ada Smith Resident/Young Person
Anne McKeig Minnesota Supreme Court •
April Harrison Church of New Life Bloomington
Brandon Jones Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) •
Dianne Heins Faegre Baker Daniels, LLP •
Eric Fenner Casey Family Programs Casey Family Programs •
Jeanette Boerner Hennepin County •
Jessica Rogers Connections to Independence (C2i) •
John Stanoch Settlement Subcommittee Chair & Independent Neutral •
Josephine Dorsey Foster Care Provider •
June Barker Connections to Independence (C2i)
Laura Newton Minneapolis Indian Center (MAI()
Lola Adebara Partnerships for Permanence •
Mark Kappelhoff 4th District •
Michael Thomas NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center •
Mike Scholl Casey Family Programs Casey Family Programs
Nancy Harper Otto Bremer Trust Center for Safe and Healthy Children
Rosa Herrera Partnership Academy School
Tikki Brown Minnesota Department of Human Services
Traci Laliberte Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare •
Hennepin County participants: Jodi Wentland; Dan Rogan; Lori Whittier; Evangeline Filosi;
Patricia Zagaros; Sherry Smith; Lisa Bayley; Kwesi Booker; Michelle Lefebvre; Lori Munsterman;
Fintan Moore; Lauren Kewley; Madeline Johnson; Shanese Reed; Rachelle Loewenson Stratton;
Meredith Martinez: Lolita Ulloa
Presenters: Victor Walker and Tami Baker-Olson from the Guardian ad Litem Program; Rhonda
Serrano and Heidi Epstein from the American Bar Association (ABA)

Welcome and Committee Business
Commissioner Goettel convened the meeting.

Review February meeting summary
Committee Updates

Jodi Wentland introduced new members, Dr. Michael Thomas, Behavioral Health Director with
NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center as well as Brandon Jones, Executive Director with
Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health
Child Well-Being Dashboard and Brief

Kwesi Booker reviewed the latest caseload data and metrics report.

Staff turnover in Ongoing has been a challenge but is beginning to stabilize. 35 new social
workers have been hired since January of this year. This group has completed training and 15 of
the 35 social workers are designated for Ongoing. The hope is to have a firm grasp on turnover
closer to September. Progress continues regarding the retention plan and is now in its final
stages with hopes of being rolled out in the next few months.

Discussion

Clarification was made regarding the number of out of home placements in February being a bit
high. This was discussed at the CQI meeting earlier in the week and determined there were a
couple of large sibling groups that impacted February’s numbers.

Co-Chair Goettel was happy to hear of the work on the retention plan and expressed the
importance of keeping staff on board. Kwesi Booker provided examples of efforts being made
including meeting with staff to gain understanding, looking at internal processes, as well as
supporting a bill with Scott Co. on a workload study. Jodi Wentland adding the phenomenal
work being done around training and induction is a factor of being successful in retention.

Eric Fenner provided insight on how well Hennepin County is doing regarding turnover and
retention compared to most states around the country that was brought to light during a Casey
sponsored meeting in Denver last week with some jurisdictions experiencing 20% – 30%
turnover.

Traci Laliberte inquired about the bill before the legislature and how it differed from the study
completed by DHS a few years back. Kwesi Booker explained the bill has not been passed yet,
but it is the hope that this study helps DHS understand what county social workers are feeling
when they are required to complete required paperwork, sometimes taking approximately 4
hours to complete one case plan. An additional difference is software updates included in this
bill.

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program Update
Victor Walker, Program Manager and Tami Baker-Olson, Program Administrator with the 4
th

District Court GAL Program provided a presentation and overview of Guardian Ad Litem

Program covering mandates, program reach, training, barriers, staffing.

Discussion

Justice McKeig inquired about the number of GAL volunteers in the last 2 years compared to the
current number of volunteers. Mr. Walker recalled there were approximately 150-170 volunteers
2 years ago, currently there are approximately 42 volunteers.

Justice McKeig asked for clarification regarding rumors of a push or goal to move to a paid employee model. Mr. Walker
referred to the 8th recommendation to return to a universal model of a paid employee noting
there is a current cost benefit analysis in place and more details around this question will be
available once the study is complete. At this time volunteer recruitment is not occurring. Paid
GAL’s currently have approximately 20 cases.

Judge Kappelhoff expressed there is concern in the court’s view that the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 4th District is in crisis status, sharing examples. Discussion continued with staff turnover and retention efforts. Tami Baker-Olson
provided information about the GAL position and its professional role including minimum
qualifications. Judge Kappelhoff inquired about the current effort to recruit GAL’s. Tami BakerOlson referred back to HR staff making efforts through social media and community outreach.

Tami and Victor also meet weekly to discuss staffing needs. Judge Kappelhoff remains very
concerned. Diane Heins voiced her concern of the current cases assigned to GAL’s not adding
up to the number of children in foster care. Tami Baker-Olson offered to follow-up and look at
the numbers and appointments of all their divisions. Commissioner Goettel concluded the
conversation recognizing this is a challenging area right now in an important program with the
question of what we can do to support and assist the Gaudian Ad Litem Program work with the
emphasis being on the recruitment and retention of volunteers with appropriate criteria.
American Bar Association (ABA) Update

Heidi Epstein and Rhonda Serrano presented findings in the Initial Assessment Executive
Summary of the Hennepin County Improving Race Equity in Permanency Outcomes Project. The
data represents a snapshot in time with the summary providing data, trends, findings, and
recommendations.

Discussion

The ABA project is focused on improving face, equity, and permanency outcomes for children in
Hennepin County’s system. They were brought in to look at the system and objectively provide
feedback as a respected and independent voice; the good and the bad. Commissioner Goettel
expressed her appreciation for the presentation and recommended this be brought back to the
committee for a more in-depth discussion and review. A request for a copy of the power point
slides was made by several committee members.
2023 Meeting Topics (continued dialogue)

Four common themes were identified in prior meetings: Youth, Programs and Services, Staffing
and Supports, and Purpose.

Discussion

Commission Goettel asked the committee for additions or if the committee felt there was
anything missing and expressed she would like the ABA report/summary added. The addition of
the Guardian Ad Litem Program was also requested. Director Booker identified the following
topics or concerns that the department would like to bring to the group: disparity reduction,
substance abuse and mental health services, recruitment and retention, organizational and
culture change, and culturally appropriate agency.
Settlement Sub-Committee Update

Judge Stanoch provided an update of the Settlement Sub-Committee. This committee continues
to meet monthly.

This committee will be convening following the CWB meeting. Today’s
meeting will include a data dashboard review on intake investigations and screening. Judge
Stanoch talked about settlement mandate progress, providing examples. There will also be
discussion today around the soon to rollout Permanency and Out of Home Placement
dashboard and its development.

Talk continues around what a public facing dashboard would look like when the Settlement Sub-Committee is no longer meeting. Discussion will also
continue regarding the sustainability and what that looks like since the Casey report and all the
progress made since.

Judge Stanoch impressed that the committee has been a big fan of the
use of data to help inform how the system is doing and how we’re doing. Judge Stanoch
concluded his update with a reminder of the upcoming bi-annual report.

Closing

Commissioner Goettel adjourned the meeting.

Handouts:

April Agenda

Child Well-Being Advisory Committee Roster

CWBAC Meeting Expectations

February Meeting Summary

April Caseload Summary and Metric Report

April CWB Brief: CWB Brief: Schedule redesign, Foster Care Reimagined update (govdelivery.com)
ABA Presentation