After much anticipation in the child welfare community, the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2016 (HR 5456) was finally introduced with bipartisan support on June 13, 2016. The bill quickly passed in the House on June 22nd and is waiting to be voted on in the Senate. The FFPSA makes a number of changes […]
The Family First Prevention Services Act Read More »
Monday, Governor Ricketts signed into law LB 746, the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act (NSFA). This is a victory for Nebraska’s child welfare system, as the SFA promotes normalcy and permanency for youth growing up in foster care. The NSFA will allow kids to be kids by removing unnecessary barriers that prevent children in foster care
The Nebraska Strengthening Families Act Becomes Law Read More »
A report released this week by the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) found that more than half of youth who are homeless become homeless when they are kicked out of their homes by a parent or caregiver. These young people then turn to homeless shelters that are often full. Researches from the University
New report highlights connection between foster care and homelessness Read More »
On January 21, the Health and Human Services Committee of the Nebraska Legislature held a hearing on LB 746, the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act (NSFA), a bill that allows “kids to be kids” by removing unnecessary barriers that prevent children in foster care from participating in developmentally appropriate activities like sports, sleepovers, and extracurricular activities.
LB 746: The Nebraska Strengthening Families Act Read More »
December has been a big month in the federal government for education policy reform to help support young people with foster care experience as well as other at-risk youth. The passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the introduction of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act will
Recent Education Reforms Protect Youth in Foster Care Read More »
Important work is underway in Nebraska and nationally to improve “normalcy” for children and youth in foster care. In September 2014, Congress passed and President Obama signed the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (also known as the Strengthening Families Act or SFA). Last week, a group of Nebraska child welfare stakeholders released a
Letting Kids Be Kids: The Implementation of the Strengthening Families Act in Nebraska Read More »
One in four girls in the U.S. experiences some form of sexual violence by the time they are 18 years old. Many of these girls end up in the juvenile justice system because they have run away, have substance abuse issues, or are truant from school, all common signs that a young person may have
The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline Read More »
Can you imagine growing up and never attending a sleepover at a friend’s house? Or being a huge Nebraska Huskers football fan but not being able to attend a game because you were in foster care? It is hard for me to imagine what it would be like to grow up and miss out on
Making Normalcy a Reality for Nebraska Youth in Foster Care Read More »
For many, when we think of our childhood, we are fortunate to be filled with memories of spending time at camp, going on field trips, participating in sports, and having sleepovers with best friends. But for many youth in foster care, their childhood and adolescent years are filled with upheaval, challenges, and even trauma. Adding
Normalcy for Youth in Foster Care Read More »
During the last Nebraska Legislative session, a bill focused on family finding for youth in foster care also made important changes to the Bridge to Independence (B2I) Act. B2I extends services and support to young adults who were formerly in foster care by providing health care and a monthly stipend for the young adults. B2I
Changes to the Bridge to Independence Act – What do they mean for you? Read More »