Hearings have kept all of us busy these last few weeks! The Legislature will continue with morning floor debate, followed by committee hearings every afternoon, through the last full week of March. All-day floor debate will begin on March 31. Appleseed has identified our 2025 legislative priorities that would advance justice and opportunity for all […]
At the Capitol: Several Important Hearings This Week Read More »
Moving Forward We believe Nebraska’s child welfare system can do better. It must stop the vicious cycles of poverty and racism it creates, perpetuates, and upholds, and learn to truly strengthen families. In the near future, there are real, concrete, and possible actions that can be taken to begin that journey. Below are just some
Part Four of Taking A Closer Look at the Child Welfare System Read More »
We believe Nebraska’s child welfare system should support, uplift, and strengthen all youth and families it interacts with, especially including youth and families of color that the system disproportionately targets and harms. There are a lot of incredible individuals, organizations, and work happening in and around Nebraska to educate, improve, and support those touching the
Taking a Closer Look at the Foster Care System We believe that all youth and families interacting with the foster care, or “child welfare,” system should have equitable access to the supports and services they need to thrive. Their rights should be protected as they do so, and the child welfare system should be best
May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Let’s take a closer look at the system. Read More »
In 2013, the Nebraska Legislature passed the Young Adult Voluntary Services and Supports Act to better support young adults who exited foster care in “transitioning to adulthood, becoming self-sufficient, and creating permanent relationships. This created Nebraska’s Bridge to Independence (b2i) program, which was structured through the input of many young advocates with former foster care
Five years of victories for the Bridge to Independence Program Read More »
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director Office: (402) 438-8853 Ext 119 Cell: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed files lawsuit seeking stability for Nebraska’s child welfare system Suit says current private contracts violate Nebraska’s Constitution LINCOLN – Today, Nebraska Appleseed filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court
Voices for Children Report highlights race equity lens in Nebraska’s child welfare system All children and families deserve an equal opportunity to a brighter future Our friends at Voices for Children in Nebraska recently released their report, Equity Before the Law: Race & Ethnicity in the Front End of Nebraska’s Child Welfare System. This report
Families of color experience negative outcomes per Nebraska’s Voices for Children report Read More »
***For Immediate Release*** Monday, July 8, 2019 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director Office: (402) 438-8853 Ext 119 Cell: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org The new child welfare contract creates challenges and concerns for Nebraska Nebraska’s child welfare system should ensure stability for children and families LINCOLN – Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services
STATEMENT: Child welfare contract creates concerns for Nebraska families Read More »
Last Friday, the 2019 Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die until January. Small victories for children and families and low-income community members were made during this legislative session. However, there is still more work to be done and Appleseed continues engaging with state policymakers on a variety of issues impacting Nebraskans throughout the interim. Below are
2019 Legislative Session concludes with small victories for Nebraskans Read More »
As Foster Care Awareness Month wraps up, we want to make sure foster parents, caregivers, and young people in foster care are aware of an opportunity in Nebraska to make your voice heard in court. For foster parents For young person in foster care Are you a foster parent or caregiver to a young
Foster Care Awareness Month – Making your voice heard in court Read More »