In October 2010, the Fostering Connections Act made federal funding available to assist states in extending foster care services to youth until age 21. At least 12 states have taken advantage of this unique opportunity to date, and many more are continuing to express interest. Senator Amanda McGill introduced LB 1150 this legislative session in […]
Extending Foster Care to 21: Next Steps Read More »
Appleseed is a place full of movers and shakers, and over the course of my internship here, I have been moved and shaken. I am constantly shown that people are changing things. Appleseed is uprooting the distressing and unacceptable life conditions that some consider permanent. But here, we know that nothing is permanent except change.
My Experience at Appleseed Read More »
There has been a good deal of activity at the Legislature on Appleseed’s priority issues since the last update. Here is a quick summary: “Green Lights” In the Capitol’s legislative chamber, there is a large sign listing each Senator’s name. When a Senator votes in favor of a bill, a light next to their name
Legislative Update Read More »
During last week’s first round of debate on the package of child welfare bills, Lincoln Senator Bill Avery noticed the apparent absence of the usual lobbyists in the State Capitol’s rotunda. As noted by Senator Avery, there “are no highly paid lobbyists working on behalf of kids.” While Nebraska Appleseed, Voices for Children, and some
Youth Share Their Experiences and Perspectives with Senators Read More »
Rebecca L. Gould, Executive Director of the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, issued the following statement today in response to the advancement of a package of five bills to reform the state’s child welfare system: “Today and yesterday, the Nebraska Legislature voted to advance a package of five bills designed to
Statement on General File Debate on Child Welfare Bills Read More »
The state’s child welfare system is in great need of reform. A vital piece of ensuring reform is effective is to prevent children from entering the system unnecessarily. LB 1063 is intended to address gaps in Medicaid services for children, which needlessly push children into the system to obtain the mental health services they need. Indeed, LB 1063 makes certain
LB 1063 Aims to Fill Medicaid Gaps & Help Parents Keep Their Kids Read More »
LB 1172 requires the County Attorney to file a petition to terminate parental rights when a child under the age of five is in an out-of-home placement for twelve months. We thank Sen. Pirsch and the judiciary committee for their commitment to increase permanency for younger children in foster care, but believe that reducing case
A Timely Path to Permanency Requires True System Reform Read More »
We support LB 1160 because it would establish much needed oversight of what is really happening to children and families in the child welfare system. We fully support that the data collected as part of LB 1160 is targeted to provide accountability in individual cases but also seeks to use the information for ongoing systemic
Strengthen Transparency, Accountability and Oversight of Nebraska’s Child Welfare System Read More »
LB 949 would create a separate budget program for appropriations of funds for child welfare in Nebraska. LB 949 would also require regular financial reporting by the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services to the Legislature’s HHS and Appropriations Committees. We also strongly support that LB 949 would require that the Department’s appropriations request
Address Fiscal Oversight Problems in Nebraska’s Child Welfare System Read More »
LB 926 ensures that foster parents in Nebraska will be provided with the resources necessary to meet children’s basic needs. We thank Sen. Dubas and the other co-sponsors for their commitment to improving the child welfare system and ask that you vote to advance LB 926. [DDET LB 926 Testimony] Senator Kathy Campbell Chair, Health
Ensure Foster Parents Receive the Resources to Meet Children’s Basic Needs Read More »