Young adults returning to their parents’ home after living on their own is a pretty common occurrence nowadays. This back-and-forth movement has particularly increased in recent years – so much so that it’s spurred a new generational nickname: “The Boomerang Kids.” Although I would certainly no longer call myself a “kid,” I am not ashamed […]
Every Young Person Deserves the Chance to Boomerang Read More »
The last Sunday in March was no ordinary day. That morning, I arrived bright and early at a 4-H camp in the middle of a forest. Only one thing could possibly have been worth pulling myself out of bed at 7:30 a.m. on the weekend and driving down I-80 in semi-blizzard conditions: Project Everlast’s very
Project Everlast Takes on the Capitol Read More »
On January 31, young people from Project Everlast joined Senator Amanda McGill and other advocates to speak out in support of LB 216 – the Young Adult Voluntary Services and Support Act. LB 216, introduced by Senator McGill, would remove barriers facing young people who age out of foster care by extending voluntary services and
Young People ask State Senators to Extend Voluntary Services and Support to 21 Read More »
Effectively addressing poverty is not only fundamental to the well-being of children and families in our community, it is also one of the keys to preventing the unnecessary entry of children into the foster care system. That is why Appleseed is proud to support LB 508, a bill introduced by Senator Kathy Campbell that would
Aid to Dependent Children rate must be raised to strengthen our families Read More »
Oscar is 20 years old and works full-time at an Omaha customer service center, part-time at a local Walgreens, and on the side with a multimedia company. He lives with a roommate and two cats and enjoys sleeping in what little free time he has. By all appearances, he is a typical 20-year-old. When you
Oscar’s Story: How a Voice Can Make a Difference Read More »
Nebraska is a state where we take care of our kids and want them to have a real opportunity to be productive, healthy, and engaged members of our community as adults. To that end, Appleseed took to the Capitol on Thursday with members of Project Everlast and other partners to advocate for LB 216 –
A Successful Ascent to Adulthood Read More »
Late last week, the Nebraska Children’s Commission, created by LB 821, released its Phase I Strategic Plan for Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Reform. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the Legislature will likely rely heavily on this strategic plan as they continue to work on improving Nebraska’s foster care system this coming Legislative Session.
This is part of a series looking back on Nebraska Appleseed’s work in 2012. Repairing Nebraska’s Broken Child Welfare System In 2012, Nebraska Appleseed responded to the crisis condition of Nebraska’s child welfare system. During the 2012 Legislative session, Appleseed worked with state senators and partners to support a package of five bills designed to stabilize and
Appleseed 2012 Year in Review – Child Welfare Read More »
On a chilly night in January 2012, the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless’ (MAACH) Youth Task Force conducted short interviews with 267 young people who were experiencing homelessness. More than three-quarters were 18 or younger. A total of 35 percent had dependent children; 54 percent had not yet graduated from high school.
Homeless After Foster Care: Young, Vulnerable, and On Their Own Read More »
As the Nebraska Legislature moves forward with reform of our broken child welfare system, much focus has rightly been on the “front door” of the system. One group that hasn’t been talked about as much are the young people who age out the “back door” of the system and how they fare as they make
Appleseed testifies for Nebraska to offer additional support for youth after foster care Read More »