24. The Courts and Children.

Over the past ten years. the Minnesota court system has improved in many ways in serving children,

Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea and the Commissioner of Human Services are the heads of the Children's Justice Initiative ("CJI").   The CJI is a collaboration between the Minnesota Judicial Branch and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.  See here. 

These two state entities work closely with the local juvenile courts, court administrators, social services agencies, county attorneys, guardians ad litem, attorneys for parents and children, tribes, and other key stakeholders in each of Minnesota's 87 counties. 

The overall objectives are to timely find safe, stable, permanent homes for abused and neglected children, first through reunification with the child's parents if that is safe or, if not, through another permanent placement option, and to improve child well-being.

When identifying and implementing improvements, the goal is for all stakeholders to operate "through the eyes of the child" so as to achieve child safety, permanency, and well-being.

On July 1, 2015, Ramsey County trial judge Michael Mayer received an award from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice as an example of advocacy for children in the courts in Minnesota.  See here.

On October 11, 2012, former Supreme Court Justice Helen Meyer and her husband Bill Bieber gave $1.5 million to William Mitchell School of Law to improve the protection and best outcomes for children and families in the legal system.  See here.

On May 24, 2012, the Supreme Court reported on efforts to improve the legal process for foster youth.  See here.

On November 18, 2012, the courts announced proceedings on the legal process for the adoption of special-needs children.  See here. 

On September 24, 2010, the Supreme Court announced that it was appointing members of the newly-created Guardian Ad Litem Board according to Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea.  See here.