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 »
On February 19, LB 441, a bill to strengthen the Bridge to Independence program (B2I), was heard before the Health and Human Services Committee of the Nebraska Legislature. All testifiers were in support of LB 441 and the improvements it would make to the largely successful B2I program that began in October of 2014 and
LB 441: Bolstering the Bridge to Independence Read More »
This morning, January 14, Governor Ricketts signed a proclamation establishing January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in Nebraska. And in honor of Sunday’s Human Trafficking Awareness Day, a group of nearly fifty people braved the cold outside the State Capitol for a vigil to bring light to the issue of human trafficking, the second largest
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Read More »
While the holiday season is a time to celebrate for many, some young adults may be spending their holidays homeless this year. And a large number of these young people may have been in our state’s foster care system. A recent study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln through the Administration on Children, Youth and
Youth Homelessness at the Holidays Read More »
A newly released Appleseed policy brief, “Child Welfare and Sex Trafficking in Nebraska,” outlines the issue of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (“CSEC”) and the risk factors that make children in foster care more vulnerable to the coercion of traffickers. Human trafficking is a growing worldwide crime that exists even in our Nebraska communities.
Child Welfare and Sex Trafficking in Nebraska Read More »
In September, Congress passed the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980), one of the most significant pieces of domestic legislation passed by this Congress and a great child welfare victory. Nebraska’s U.S. Senators and Representatives all voted in support of this legislation (Rep. Adrian Smith was also a co-sponsor of H.R. 4980).
New federal law addresses trafficking for youth in foster care Read More »
We could not be more excited that the Bridge to Independence (B2I) program has finally begun! B2I provides young adults who age out of foster care with extended services and support to age 21, including housing support, guidance from an Independence Coordinator and Medicaid coverage. We’re thrilled for the B2I start because now young adults
The Bridge to Independence Program in Action Read More »
On October 24th, as a part of Legislative Resolution 533 (LR 533), introduced by Senator Sue Crawford, Nebraska Appleseed, young adults and partners gathered at the Capitol to discuss Nebraska’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s new provision for Medicaid coverage to age 26 for young adults who age out of foster care. The day
Medicaid to 26: Ensuring a Healthy Start to Adulthood After Foster Care Read More »