“I’m here … because I think that voting rights are the basis of our democracy. When I see voting rights come under attack I feel personally attacked and my heart goes out to people this bill will affect,” said Claire Hillan when asked why she gathered with over 70 other Nebraskans at the State Capitol […]
Lobby Day for Voting Rights Read More »
Yesterday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced that it entered into another contract amendment with KVC on December 24th to infuse an additional $1.8 million into the state’s failing child welfare privatization effort even as the the Legislature’s HHS Committee had just the week before released recommendations to make significant changes to
Statement on KVC Contract Amendment & Additional $1.8 MILLION Infusion Read More »
Today the Unicameral convenes the first day of the second session of the 102nd Legislature. As the session begins, media reports have quoted a number of state lawmakers as saying that child welfare will be a top priority for this session. Here are some of today’s headlines: “As session begins, child welfare a priority” –
The Session of Children Read More »
Last month, the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee released its Legislative Resolution 37 report and 18 recommendations that we believe chart a positive new path forward for child welfare reform. In response to the report, a Dec. 18 World-Herald editorial, “State must get this right,” rightly noted that needed fixes to the state’s
Gains Seen on Child Welfare Reform Read More »
What says “welcome” and “I am glad to know” you more than opening your home to 45 strangers, most from another country? Last evening, in an Omaha house laden with colorful Christmas lights and amid glass snowmen and snow globes, an Omaha family offered their home and hospitality to generations of immigrants from Guatemala so
Appleseed Initiative Part of National Campaign Read More »
Freedom Riders Meet with DREAMers in Dr. Martin Luther King’s Church [thethe-image-slider name=”IICP Blog 12/22/2011″] Last weekend, thousands came together in Montgomery, Alabama, to protest that state’s notorious immigration enforcement law. Carrying “One Family, One Alabama” and “Not in My America” signs, Civil Rights leaders from across the country and thousands of Alabamians called for
Thousands March in Alabama Read More »
Yesterday, the HHS Committee of the Legislature released its report as part of LR 37, an interim study investigation of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) child welfare reform and privatization. Among the 18 recommendations were the following: Return case management to the state by July 1, 2012 Create the Nebraska Department
Legislature’s HHS Committee Releases LR 37 Report and Recommendations on Child Welfare Read More »
Last week was a busy one for child welfare advocates and this week promises to be the same with the final LR 37 report scheduled to be released on Thursday. Below is a brief recap: On Monday, December 5th, the Legislature’s Children’s Behavioral Health Oversight and HHS Committees held a hearing on LB 603 regarding
Busy Weeks in Child Welfare Read More »
“Waiting for Midnight” has nothing to do with Cinderella. Instead, NBC’s Rock Center recently drew attention to a different kind of “mad dash.” Hungry families across America are waiting for midnight at the first of the month when funds under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) become available. With our
Waiting for Midnight Read More »
As America continues to call on Congress to bring our immigration system into the 21st century – with workable solutions that uphold our values and move us forward – a new report released today by two Midwest human rights organizations highlights alarming problems in immigrant detention facilities as well. The report, Not Too Late for Reform, authored by the
New Report Shows (Again) Alarming Problems in Detention Facilities Read More »