You may remember past blogs about an exciting new program that would extend services and support for youth who age out of foster care to the age of 21. These services and supports would include, among other things, Medicaid coverage, housing assistance, and youth-directed case management. State Senator Amanda McGill introduced LB 1150 in January […]
A Summer of Youth Focus Groups Read More »
Camp Catch-Up, through the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF), is a one-of-a-kind, annual camp that brings together siblings separated by foster care or adoption for three days of pure, unbridled childhood fun.
My Weekend at Camp Read More »
Recently, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a news release announcing a change in caseload standards in response to the passage of LB 961. As our readers may know, five bills targeting Nebraska’s foster care system were passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor this session. Among other things,
The Importance of a Manageable Caseload Read More »
The end of the 2012 Nebraska legislative session finished with a flurry of activity on prenatal care, child welfare, and a number of Appleseed’s priority bills passing. You can read about these successes and other recent efforts in the latest edition of our bi-annual newsletter “At the Core.” Download a printable copy of “At the
The Spring 2012 Edition of “At the Core” Read More »
Save the Date! Nebraska Appleseed’s 2012 Good Apple Awards Thursday, October 4, 2012 Livestock Exchange Building Ballroom 4920 S. 30th Street Omaha, NE Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres: 6pm Program & ceremony: 7pm honoring Senator Kathy Campbell Jim Wolf Equal Justice Award This year, Appleseed is proud to recognize Senator Kathy Campbell with the Jim Wolf
Honoring Senator Kathy Campbell Read More »
Ashley is a walking example of how extending foster care services could positively impact youth in care. Ashley aged out of Missouri’s foster care system when she was 21, so she can talk explicitly about “…the difference between aging out at 19 and aging out at 21.” Ashley was able to receive all the support
How the System Fails Youth, Part 5: Missouri’s Extended Foster Care Program Read More »
Every day this week, we will provide a in-depth look into the needs of youth in foster care. Nadia was 12 years old when she was adopted from Russia. At the age of 17, she was removed from her adoptive parents’ home and placed in the foster care system. When Nadia aged out, she was
How the System Fails Youth, Part 4: Former Ward Services Too Narrow Read More »
Every day this week, we will provide a in-depth look into the needs of youth in foster care. At the age of 18, Janteice was struggling to support herself, attend school, and work full-time when her case closed without warning. Janteice is now completely on her own and unable to qualify for the Former Ward
How the System Fails Youth, Part 3: Too Late to Apply for Former Ward Read More »
Every day this week, we will provide a in-depth look into the needs of youth in foster care. Oscar describes himself as the “average teenager.” He is 19 years old and takes college courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. However, Oscar has faced numerous challenges in his life. He was placed in the
How the System Fails Youth, Part 2: Former Ward Denied Services on a Technicality Read More »
Every day this week, we will provide a in-depth look into the needs of youth in foster care. Teens heading out on their own for the first time are bound to make a few blunders along the way, like spending money on something frivolous or prioritizing fun over study time. Most young people have someone
How the System Fails Youth, Part 1: Aging Out of Foster Care Read More »