All children and families should be strengthened, supported, and cared for. This legislative session, we’re watching the following child welfare bills that support young people navigating the child welfare system – and fighting against bills that put young people at risk. Our priority bills for 2026 are: ✅ LB368, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, creates […]
Child Welfare Bills to Look Out for this Legislative Session Read More »
Yesterday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order, directing Nebraska to stop using young people’s survivor benefits to pay for their foster care. This is a HUGE win for young people and their families, rightfully acknowledging that these are their benefits – not the State’s. The Governor’s Executive Order not only orders Nebraska to
Nebraska To End Practice of Taking Foster Youth’s Survivor Benefits Read More »
This week, ✅ LB275, Senator Megan Hunt’s priority bill to protect foster youth’s access to their social security benefits, officially became state law. This policy will have a huge impact on young people throughout the state! For years, youth in Nebraska’s foster care system who receive social security benefits have had their benefits taken by
Critical Child Welfare Bill (LB275) Becomes Law! Read More »
What a year it has been working alongside two amazing advocates, the Nebraska Appleseed Journey to Success Fellows, Michayla & Karolina. As we wrap the Fellowship, we wanted to share some highlights with all of you! Last year, Michayla & Karolina joined Appleseed as Journey to Success Fellows. Journey to Success is a policy advocacy
Journey to Success was a SUCCESS! Read More »
Neva, one of our Child Welfare Youth Fellows, has wrapped up her time with Nebraska Appleseed! As part of this experience, each fellow interviews a community professional in an area of interest to them, which helps them complete a written piece from a systemic perspective that highlights an aspect of the Child Welfare system that
Neva’s Youth Fellowship Update Read More »
By Neva Ducker, Child Welfare Youth Fellow Hello! My name is Neva and there is a lot that I want to tell you about myself. I am an artist person that has a ton of hobbies that include painting, crocheting, coloring, writing, and being around my favorite people. I am a junior in college. I
My Experience as an Appleseed Fellow Read More »
By Neva Ducker, Child Welfare Youth Fellow This is a collection of interviews that I conducted with some amazing people that have dealt with child abuse cases. The purpose of these interviews was to get an understanding of what goes on in one of these cases and how they are handled by different people within
A Look Inside The Child Welfare System Read More »
Thanks to a recent change in the law, Foster Youth may be eligible for Medicaid coverage to age 26 – even if they move to a different state! Here is some more information: Background What changed? The original law made young people not eligible for Medicaid if they moved away from the state where they
Medicaid Eligibility for Foster Care Youth Expanded to Age 26 Read More »
This paid fellowship is open to young people 19 and older with Foster Care or Juvenile Justice experience. Journey to Success Advocacy Fellows will focus on federal policy advocacy around the issues young people face in supportive services, health, education, and housing. Fellows will have the opportunity to learn more about federal policy advocacy that
Join Nebraska Appleseed as a Journey to Success Advocacy Fellow! Read More »
Tyeisha, one of our current Child Welfare Youth Fellows, is wrapping up her time with Nebraska Appleseed. As part of this experience, each fellow interviews a community professional in an area of interest to them, which helps them complete a written piece from a systemic perspective that highlights an aspect of the Child Welfare system
Tyeisha’s Youth Fellowship Update Read More »