County Funding Matters to Ensure Families Stay Together: Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA)

Authors

Jessica Dewar, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Taryn Dolan, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Destiny Fairbanks, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Christina Albers, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Author Affiliation

Department of Social Work, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Document Type

Policy Advocacy Brief

Publication Date

3-2026

Issue Statement/Executive Summary

African American children remain disproportionately represented at every stage of Minnesota’s child welfare system, including reports, investigations, and out-of-home placements. Although the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act was designed to address these inequities through active efforts and family preservation, many county agencies lack the staffing, training, and resources necessary to fully implement the policy. Without additional investment in counties, the goals of the Act cannot be fully realized.

Department

Social Work

Recommended Citation

Dewar, J., Dolan, T., Fairbanks, D., & Albers, C. (2026). County funding matters to ensure families stay together: Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (MAAFPCWDA). MSW Program Policy Advocacy Briefs, Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/msw-student-policy-advocacy-briefs/75