Minnesota Agencies

In July 2008, the Minnesota Judicial Council approved the establishment of a Workgroup to study and report on legal representation of parents in Child In Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS), termination of parental rights (TPR), and other permanency cases.

The Workgroup met in August, September, and October 2008, during which time the members considered the statement of the problem; reviewed the work and reports of prior committees and workgroups related to this topic, including the Final Report of the CHIPS Public Defender Workgroup dated March 16, 2006; reviewed parent legal representation models from other states; and discussed short-term and long-term strategies to address the problem. 

Chair: Hon. Helen Meyer, Associate Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court

Members:

• James Backstrom, Dakota County Attorney; Minnesota County Attorney Association
• Judith Brumfield, Scott County Human Services; Minnesota Association of County Social Services Agencies
• Marvin Davis, Adoptions Operations, Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Michael Ford, Quinlivan & Hughes; Minnesota State Bar Association
• Rep. Debra Hilstrom, Minnesota House of Representatives
• Hon. Jon Maturi, Chief Judge 9th Judicial District, Itasca County
• Sen. Mee Moua, Minnesota Senate
• Irene Opsahl, Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis
• Judy Peterson, Guardian Ad Litem Program Manager, 2nd Judicial District
• Hon. John Rodenberg, 5th Judicial District, Brown County
• Jessica Ryan, ICWA Attorney, Bluedog, Paulson & Small, P.L.L.P.
• Nancy Schouweiler, Dakota County Commissioner; Association of Minnesota Counties
• Hon. Terri Stoneburner, Minnesota Court of Appeals
• Erin Sullivan Sutton, Child Safety and Permanency, Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Hon. Judith Tilsen, 2nd Judicial District, Ramsey County
• John Tuma, Metropolitan Inter-County Association
• William Ward, Chief Public Defender, 10th Judicial District Staff Attorney
• Judith Nord, Staff Attorney, State Court Administrator’s Office