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 »
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 »