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 »
With notice of the approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services on August 19th, Nebraska’s Bridge to Independence program must begin within 60 days of this notice of approval. However, we are excited to share that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has announced that the Bridge to Independence program
(Finally) Starting Soon: The Bridge to Independence Program! Read More »
Our last blog on human trafficking discussed the vulnerabilities of minors, many of whom are part of the child welfare system, who are at risk of becoming a victim to one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world. Although human trafficking is a global issue, a common misconception is that the problem is only
Children fleeing violence in Central America may also be fleeing human trafficking Read More »
Our Child Welfare Team at Appleseed is beginning to dig deeper into the issue of human trafficking because of its prevalence in Nebraska and the connection to youth in foster care. While limitations on data collection on human trafficking make the estimated number of victims uncertain, there is no doubt of the realities of human
Human trafficking disproportionately affects youth in foster care Read More »
