Keeping Families Together: Minnesota’s Stance on Family Preservation

In Minnesota, a quiet but powerful movement has reshaped how we think about family well-being. Instead of leading with punishment or separation, the state has recently taken steps to preserve families, reduce unnecessary removals, and strengthen parental involvement. For those of us working in the field, this shift is not only encouraging—it is exactly what families need.

Why Family Preservation Matters

For too long, the default response to family struggles has been intervention through district courts or child protection/social services. While these systems serve an important and necessary role, they often come into play only after things have escalated. By then, the damage—emotional, relational, and financial—is already done.

Family preservation focuses on prevention. The idea is simple: support parents early, give them the tools they need, and keep children connected to both parents whenever safely possible. Research, according to the National Institute of Health,  shows that children thrive when both parents remain engaged in their lives, even if the parents are no longer together.

Minnesota’s Recent Steps

Several efforts in Minnesota highlight this growing commitment to keeping families intact:

• Cultural and Community-Based Preservation Laws
  Minnesota has reinforced protections for Native American families through the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act, which aims to keep Native children connected to their cultural and community ties (Star Tribune, 2023)..

• Education & Attendance Initiatives
  Pilot programs in Minnesota schools are working to reduce “educational neglect” reports by addressing chronic absenteeism directly with families. Instead of immediately escalating to CPS, schools are offering support and resources to help parents get children back on track (The Imprint, 2023).

• Early Intervention Supports
  Local agencies and nonprofits are increasing access to parenting resources, counseling, and mediation services before a situation spirals into a crisis or potential legal battle.

These movements all share the same core belief: children do best when families are given the chance to heal, not just be managed by systems.

Where Mediation Fits In

This is where mediation has a natural role. In family and divorce mediation, parents are given a safe and structured space to:

• Develop parenting plans that prioritize children’s needs.

• Prevent parental absence by ensuring both parents remain actively involved.

• Resolve conflicts before they escalate into court cases or child protection matters.

• Create durable agreements that reduce stress and uncertainty for children.

Unlike litigation, mediation empowers families to design their own solutions. Instead of a judge dictating outcomes, parents can craft agreements that reflect their values, schedules, and unique circumstances.

The Bigger Picture

Family preservation is not just about avoiding court or CPS—it’s about building stronger, healthier communities. Every time we keep a child connected to both parents, reduce conflict, and give families tools for cooperation, we contribute to a future where children feel secure and supported.

At Integrous Resolution Services, LLC, I believe in being part of this family preservation movement. Through mediation, I work with families to reduce conflict, prevent absent parenting, and create agreements that support long-term stability. My absent parent prevention services are designed to help parents stay actively involved in their children’s lives by creating practical, enforceable parenting time schedules, establishing clear communication guidelines, and providing co-parenting tools that minimize conflict and misunderstandings. I also help families address barriers that often lead to absent parenting—such as unresolved custody disputes, scheduling challenges, or breakdowns in communication—by guiding parents toward fair, child-focused solutions.

By focusing on cooperation instead of confrontation, these services not only protect children from the emotional toll of parental absence, but also empower both parents to remain engaged, responsible, and connected.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about resolving disputes—it’s about keeping families together, even if they look different than before.