The Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP) works to improve child welfare and reduce trauma in the legal system. Our multi-pronged approach includes policy reform as well as focused training and experiential opportunities for law/graduate students, legal professionals, courtroom/legislative stakeholders, and community partners.
Our innovative program, which continues to grow and evolve, started with a singular vision, that intersected with a passion, and became an inclusive collaboration.
Explore our story below.
2008
Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Helen M. Meyer, a leader in parental legal representation worked with …2010
… Joanna Woolman to form an advisory board and establish the Child Protection Clinic at Mitchell Hamline, which gained traction through …2011-2012
… additional funding, including a grant for program expansion from Jeff Anderson ’75, a pioneer in sexual abuse litigation and founder of Zero Abuse Project (ZAP).2013
The Clinic transformed into Mitchell Hamline’s Child Protection Program (CPP)—the driving force in establishing Mitchell Hamline as a leading national voice for best practices in the key areas of law affecting children and families.2014-2015
Additional support resulted in more trainings, increased engagement in research and policy, establishment of an annual symposium, and the addition of key personnel …2016
… including Natalie Netzel to provide more intense student supervision.2017-2018
A large gift from ZAP inspired the creation of the Institute for Children, Families, and Communities. Katie Olson joined the team to enhance the training program followed shortly thereafter by Miriam Itzkowitz, who strengthens holistic trauma-informed services.2019
Finally, the Institute for Children, Families, and Communities was rebranded as the Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP), committed to creating smarter systems and stronger families.It is with the generous support, progressive thinking and cooperative spirit of our many funders and partners that the Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP) has been able to thrive and grow. Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations who are helping us create smarter systems and stronger families.
2nd Judicial District – Juvenile Court
4th Judicial District – Juvenile Court
Jeff and Julie Anderson
Casey Family Programs
Children’s Law Center
Faegre Baker Daniels
Justice Helen Meyer and Bill Beiber
MN Department of Health and Human Services
MN Children’s Justice Initiative
MN NAACP
Sauer Family Foundation
Zero Abuse Project