Foster Care Reform Update	Juvenile Document Bank	Publications	Child Welfare Litigation
Child Welfare Legislation	Presentations	Other Resources

Child welfare reform needs restructuring in Nebraska

Recent news of the termination of two state contracts for the provision of foster care services raises serious concerns about the viability of current reform efforts by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Read the full Op/Ed written by Child Welfare System Accountability Program director and staff attorney, Sarah Helvey...

06/24/2010

Policy Spotlight: Update on LB 603 (safe haven package of legislation)
Court Opinions: No relevant cases this month
Legislative Update: 2010 Child Welfare Interim Studies
Announcements: LRC Survey; Upcoming Trainings; Fostering Connections Resource Center; Appleseed Blog

05/24/2010

Policy Spotlight: 2010 Child Welfare Legislative Recap
Court Opinions:In re Interest of Americal T. et al., In re Interest of Emma J, In re Interest of Antonio A., In re Interest of Bianca H. & Eternity H., In re Interest of Justice H., In re Interest of Shayla H. et al., In re Interest of Sir Messiah T. et al.
Legislative Update: 2010 Child Welfare Interim Studies
Announcements: Upcoming Trainings; Appleseed Blog

04/29/2010

Policy Spotlight: Child Welfare Privatization Update
Court Opinions: In re Interest of Bianca H. & Eternity H.; In re Interest of Desiree F. & Briana F.; In re Interest of Rayna G.; In re Interest of Ipolita B.; In re Interest of Carrdale H. II; In re Interest of Dylan S.
Legislative Update: Final Actions on 2010 Child Welfare Bills and 2009 Carryover Bills
Announcements: Upcoming Trainings; Appleseed Blog

Foster Care Reform Update Archive...

As one of the resources available through the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center, listserv members have access to example legal documents, including samples of motions and pleadings that can be used to raise systemic issues in child welfare cases. Access to these documents is restricted to members of the Nebraska Child Welfare Listserv and requires a password. If you have questions about accessing the documents, please contact Eric Wickizer. If you have questions about the documents themselves, please contact Sarah Helvey.

Legal Resource Center Juvenile Document Bank

Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center Brochure

Nebraska Appleseed Launches New Legal Resource Center - Nebraska Lawyer

Federal Foster Care Financing Issues in Nebraska - Nebraska Lawyer

Innovations in Lawyer Engagement in Child Welfare Proceedings and Systemic Reform - ABA Children and the Law conference paper

Practical Implications of In re Interest of Angelica L. & Daniel L.

What Child Welfare Attorneys Need to Know About the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act

Send Lawyers, Experts, and Active Efforts: Recent Developments in Nebraska Case Law Interpreting the Indian Child Welfare Act - Nebraska Lawyer

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

In re Interest Walter W.

In re Interest Elias L.

Child Welfare System Accountability

Carson P. v State of Nebraska

Child Welfare Legislation 2010

2009 Child Welfare Carryover Legislation

Innovations in Lawyer Engagement in Child Welfare Proceedings and Systemic Reform (ABA Conference on Children and the Law)

Safe Haven: An Advocate’s Perspective (NASW brown bag)

How to Change the Child Welfare World

Nebraska Juvenile Law Update 2008: Recent Case Law, Legislation, and Policy Reform Issues (NSBA - 2008 Annual Meeting)

State Resources
Nebraska Judicial Branch	Nebraska Unicameral	Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS)
NDHHS Regulations	NDHHS Policy Memos	Nebraska Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts
Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative	Nebraska Court Improvement Project	UNL Center on Children, Families and the Law
UNL Public Policy Center	Voices for Children in Nebraska	Nebraska Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children
Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent’s Association	Nebraska Children and Families Foundation	Foster Care Review Board
Legal Aid of Nebraska

National Resources
U.S. House of Representatives	U.S. Senate	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
ABA Center on Children and the Law	ABA Section of Litigation, Children’s Rights Litigation Committee	ABA Kinship Care Legal Research Center
National Association of Counsel for Children	National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges	Children’s Rights, Inc.
Children’s Defense Fund	Child Welfare League of America	Center for Law and Social Policy
Youth Law Center	Juvenile Law Center	National Center for Youth Law
Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care	Chapin Hall Center for Children

Additional Nebraska Resources
Guidelines for Guardians ad Litem for Juveniles in Juvenile Court Proceedings	Juvenile forms on the Nebraska Supreme Court website	Caregiver Information Form - as required by LB 457, this form is provided to foster parents, guardians and relatives in abuse/neglect cases and gives them an opportunity to voluntarily provide certain information to the court
"Juvenile Court Law and Practice," by Christine Costantakos, published by Thomson West (2008)	Foster Care Review Board 2008 Annual Report	Voices for Children in Nebraska's "Kids Count" report
Voices for Children in Nebraska's "Spare Some Change: An Account of the Nebraska Juvenile Justice and Children's Behavioral Health Care Systems"	Know Your Rights: A Guide for Youth in Nebraska's Foster Care System	Guide for Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers - Understanding the Nebraska Juvenile Court Child Protection Process
Guide for Parents - Walking Your Way Through the Nebraska Juvenile Court Child Protection Process	Nebraska Court Improvement Project 2005 Reassessment	A Practical Guide to the Indian Child Welfare Act
Evaluation of the Guardian Ad Litem System in Nebraska