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Family Court Services is changing its name to Family Mediation and Evaluation. We are also moving from Hennepin County’s Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation to Health and Human Services. As of January 1, 2022, this is our new name and tagline: Family Mediation and Evaluation Supporting children’s well-being in custody and parenting time arrangements The change in name and department will not change operations or services, but the changes better align the focus of our work, alternative dispute resolution services and evaluations of child custody and parenting time disputes, with the broader HHS emphasis on child well-being. This new name is more descriptive of the services we provide and makes it clearer to residents and agency partners that we are an entity of Hennepin County, and less likely to confuse us with the MN State Court’s Fourth Judicial District. We will continue to provide all the services you are currently accustomed to receiving. Likewise, we will keep all current telephone numbers and staff email addresses will remain the same. Moving forward, you will notice our new name and department on letter head, court orders, agency forms and materials, and public website.

“Worth a Read: Minnesota’s own Mindy Mitnick (AFCC President) contributed an article to the AFCC-NY newsletter on the topic of Supporting Children’s Communication in Forensic Interviews” (article starts on page 5) Click here to view NY Newsletter article.

Standpoint’s annual New Laws training program is the most visible of their programs. It is a great source of up-to-date legal information to advocates and professionals. New Laws effectively utilizes a “Train the Trainer” model, where critical information is provided to a core group of people who then disburse it in wider circles. The first day of New Laws provides attendees with Special Topic presentations. The second day focuses on changes in statutory and case law, both in Minnesota and Federally, that have occurred in the previous year and have an impact on sexual and domestic violence Upon completion, attendees will be eligible for POST and standard CLE credits. For dates, agenda and registration, visit Standpoint’s website: https://www.standpointmn.org/new-laws

2021 MNAPABA Annual Gala (Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association) September 1, 5:30 p.m. Crave Rooftop, Downtown Minneapolis This year’s theme is Uniting in the Face of Adversity, featuring keynote speaker Gia Vang, Sunrise Anchor at Kare 11.  Event details and sponsorship information are available on MNABA’s website. 25th Anniversary Gala Immigrant Law Center October 19, 2021 (Virtual) Save the Date https://www.ilcm.org/events/25th-anniversary-virtual-gala/

The Second Judicial District invites qualified applicants for a full-time Temporary Judicial Referee position, with duties in the Family Court Division, with the potential to be reassigned to other areas of the court as needed. These positions will initially last approximately twelve months with the possibility of being extended. The appointment will be made by the Ramsey County District Court Chief Judge. referee-ramsey-county-family-court-division | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)Referee – Ramsey County Civil Court Division (Temporary) | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)

AFCC-MN is making an effort to let our members know about events that reflect and support diversity in our professional community.  On June 14, 2021, the Minnesota Humanities Center is offering a program entitled “Understanding Our Duluth Lynchings: Racial Violence in America and the Road to Justice and Reconciliation.” This event is open to the public, and free of charge (there is a nominal charge for attorneys seeking CLE credits).  Three young black men, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie were lynched on June 15, 1920, in Duluth.  This program examines the history of racially motivated violence in Minnesota and elsewhere, and the need for truth, accountability, justice, and reconciliation.  The program features local attorney Jerry Blackwell and other prominent local and national scholars and speakers. Detailed information about this program can be found here:  https://mnhum.org/community-conversations/understanding-lynching-violence/  The event is free, but you do need to register in advance.  You can register here:  https://mnhum.org/event/understanding-lynching-violence/

Risk Management and Culture: Why You Really Should Care about DE&I April Harris-Britt, PhD, Durham, NC, Nolanda Kirby, MS, Elkton, MD May 5, 20214:00-5:00pm Eastern Time US/Canada Registration and more information Cultural competence is not just a good idea, it is necessary for effective and ethical practice. This webinar will emphasize the importance of recognizing culture and diversity in family law cases from a risk management perspective. Presenters will discuss cases in which issues of diversity have resulted in Board complaints and grievances and will examine the importance of microaggressions, and the risk of an individual’s cultural identification. A case analysis will provide opportunities for further discussion and conceptualization. This webinar is eligible for up to one hour of continuing education for psychologists. AFCC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AFCC maintains responsibility for the program and its content. Lawyers, judges, social workers, counselors, and other professionals seeking continuing education credits may use the AFCC Certificate of Attendance to verify attendance when applying to their state, provincial, or other regulatory or licensing agency. You must attend the live webinar to receive a certificate of attendance.

Please read below for a statement issued by the Hmong American Bar Association: March 18, 2021 The Hmong American Bar Association sends its condolences to the friends and families of the eight victims—six who were Asian American—who lost their lives in the horrifying and blatant Atlanta, Georgia, murders on March 16, 2021. We also lend our support in solidarity with the survivors. America has seen a dramatic increase of violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities based on fear and hatred—over 3,800 incidents since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily against women. There is absolutely no place for racism in our communities. We must work together to support each other, especially when the world continues to fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus that has left many of our community members already vulnerable to the virus as well as food scarcity and unstable housing. The Hmong American Bar Association denounces these acts of violence and will work together with our members and partners towards protecting our community. For immediate assistance in Minnesota, if you have witnessed or experienced any acts of violence, bias, or discrimination, there is help. Please call the Minnesota Discrimination Hotline to report incidents. The information received will go directly to an investigator at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). To report online, follow this link: https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/consultationinquiryform/ To report to a MDHR staffer, call this number: 1-833-454-0148 To report an incident at a national level, here is a link to the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center: https://stopaapihate.org/ If you are currently experiencing a hate crime or fear for your safety, please call 911 immediately. The HABA board members urge our members and community to stay strong during this troubling time. Stay safe out there. Respectfully, The Hmong American Bar Association

AFCC-MN is making an effort to let our members know about events that reflect and support diversity in our professional community. Past-President Referee Street shared this information about the annual Gala for the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association. We encourage members to attend in order to learn more about MHBA, and to support their work. Each member of the Board of Directors has pledged to attend at least one event from an “affinity organization” in the coming year, and we encourage our members to join us. If you are aware of events such as this, which support the work of an organization that serves a BIPOC or other marginalized community, please let us know about it! The MHBA Gala will be held virtually, March 18, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 pm. Information about the keynote speaker and how to register can be found here:  https://minnhba.org/gala/

AFCC International is offering a free 1-hour seminar on diversity in the field of family law, featuring a panel of mental health providers, attorneys, and judicial officers. The seminar is at 3:00-4:00 pm, on March 11, 2021. While the seminar is free, participants are asked to register no later than 8 am March 10, 2021.   Although this is short notice, we hope you are able to attend.  We anticipate this conversation will fit well with the work our Minnesota Chapter is doing through our Annual Conference, our Lunch and Learns, and within our professional community. Additional information and a link to register may be found here: https://www.afccnet.org/Conferences-Training/Webinars/ctl/ViewConference/ConferenceID/418/mid/772 One hour of continuing education credit will be available for psychologists.

Chief Justice Gildea has issued an order today which extends the requirement that all family court proceedings be held remotely through March 15, 2021. The only exception permitted would be if the Chief Judge of the District where the proceeding is held authorizes an in-person hearing.  The order is available through the link below. The courthouse itself will remain open between the  hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for in-person for public counter service subject to conditions imposed by county officials.  Face masks are required at all times in the courthouse. Chief-Justice-Admin-Order-January-21-2021Download

The Mediation Center offers ADR training online which may be of interest to our members.  The spring schedule includes: SENE and FENE training February 10-12, 2021 (may register for one or both) Parenting Time Expediting and Parenting Consultant training, February 2326, 2021 (24-27 continuing ed credits, depending on licensure) 30-hour General Civil Mediation Skills, March 3-6, 2021 (satisfies Rule 114) 40-hour Family Mediation Skills, March 11-13 and 25-27, 2021 (satisfies Rule 114) You can find more information about each of these trainings, and how to register, at the Mediation Center website (https://mediationcentermn.org/training/) #family #familymediation #mediation #mediationcenter