Allison Derr

Taking A Closer Look at the Foster Care System: A Follow Up

We believe that all youth and families interacting with the foster care, or “child welfare,” system should be treated equitably, from the front door to their transition out of care.  May is Foster Care Awareness Month and last May, we published a series of blogs highlighting the realities of the foster care system – especially […]

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Part Four of Taking A Closer Look at the Child Welfare System

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

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Foster Care Awarenes Month

Part Three of Taking A Closer Look at the Child Welfare System: Partners, Providers, and Change Makers

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

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A closer look at the foster care system pt 2

Racial Inequalities at Every Step of the Child Welfare System (Part Two of Taking A Closer Look at the System)

We believe the child welfare system should ensure the welfare of all families within its care, both in intent and practice. But is this possible with a system that is inherently and impactfully harmful?  With recent calls to “Defund the Police” in response to the egregious and violent targeting of Black and Brown people by

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Foster Care Awarenes Month

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Let’s take a closer look at the system.

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 »

Take Action: LB 932 provides transparency for youth in care receiving Social Security

Young people navigating the child welfare system should have a solid chance at success. Instead, an overwhelming majority of young people eligible for Social Security benefits are unaware they have even received these benefits, due to the State’s taking and spending of them, without youths’ knowledge, consent, or say The State of Nebraska should be transparent and

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Hidden in Plain Sight: Kerri S. and Nebraska’s Non-court Child Welfare System

“[T]he attachment between parent and child forms the basis of who we are as humans . . .”1 Not only is the parent-child relationship socially sacred, it is legally significant.” In 2010, Nebraska had the highest rate of children in out-of-home placements in the country, removing children from their homes twice as much as the

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