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 »
Foster care can provide challenges to many families involved, but Native children and their families experience additional challenges when trying to maintain ties to their tribes and culture. In 1978, Congress enacted the Indian Child Welfare Act after recognizing the disproportionate number of Native children who were being removed from their homes and placed
Working together to protect Native children and families Read More »
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to acknowledge the children and youth who have been involved in foster care systems across the United States, and work to improve the child welfare system. In partnership with the Juvenile Law Center (JLC), we are using the month of May to promote an important opportunity under
May is National Foster Care Month. Former foster youth can get health coverage to age 26 Read More »
Last week, the Nebraska Children’s Commission released a child welfare funding primer focused on Nebraska’s current use of state and federal funding for child welfare and the best ways to leverage those dollars to lead to better outcomes for children who touch the child welfare system. The Nebraska Child Welfare Financing Primer was authored by
New child welfare funding primer released Read More »
For the first time since 1979, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) updated its Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) guidelines. This is a strong step forward, making important improvements with ICWA compliance and in the lives of native children and families involved in foster care. The BIA is also working to implement many of these
Bureau of Indian Affairs updates Indian Child Welfare Act guidelines Read More »
Today was an important day in the fight against human trafficking in our Nebraska and federal governments. With 34 votes, the Nebraska Legislature advanced LB 294 on General File. The bill increases the penalties for human trafficking and protects victims who are minors from being charged in juvenile court. On the national level, after many months
Today was a big day in the fight against human trafficking Read More »
Coming up soon – either this week or next week – the Nebraska Legislature will begin debating an important child welfare bill, LB 243. LB 243, introduced by Senator Kate Bolz, includes the creation and improvement of two key programs working towards the goal of permanency and lifelong connections for children in foster care. First,
Foster care family finding bill up for debate Read More »
A recent study completed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed that not all children who are in foster care and enrolled in Medicaid are receiving health screenings that are required by federal law. Specifically, the report found that nearly one-third of children in foster care in Texas, California, Illinois, and New
Kids in foster care not receiving required health screenings Read More »
With hearings wrapping up in the Nebraska Legislature, many important issues involving children in foster care have been considered. As the senators move into full day floor debate, we want to highlight a few of our Child Welfare Program priority bills and what they can do for Nebraska’s children in foster care and young adults
Child Welfare Bills in the Nebraska Legislature Read More »
Last Wednesday, the Judiciary Committee of the Nebraska Legislature held a hearing on LB 294, a bill introduced by Senator Jim Scheer. LB 294 would play an important role in strengthening Nebraska’s counter-human trafficking efforts when investigating cases, prosecuting traffickers and caring for survivors of sex and labor trafficking. Testifiers in support of LB 294
Nebraska Takes Important Steps to Fight Human Trafficking Read More »