Earlier this spring, a number of us at Appleseed got to talking about how fortunate we’ve been these past fifteen years to work alongside so many great community volunteers who push for a more just and equitable Nebraska. Many of our best community education and legislative efforts have succeeded in concert with grassroots volunteers all […]
Celebrating Nebraska’s Unsung Grassroots Heroes Read More »
Recently, state officials and national experts have commented that privatization can take a number of years to see results. But, as Appleseed and other advocates have said – and this cartoon in Tuesday’s Omaha World Herald points out: children in the system don’t have years to wait. Over the past year and a half since
On Friday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced that the state will be providing an additional $5.5 million in the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 and an additional $7.4 million in the next fiscal year starting July 1, 2011 to the state’s faltering child welfare privatization effort. Also on Friday,
Additional Child Welfare Funding and Restructuring Raises Additional Questions Read More »
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court issued a decision that, unfortunately, limits who can raise the issue of a child’s right to grow up with their siblings when a child has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. The decision, which dismissed an appeal of siblings challenging a juvenile court’s denial of
On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 177 on a vote of 47-0-2. LB 177 places key provisions of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (“Fostering Connections Act”) into state statute. Specifically, LB 177 provides increased oversight and strengthens local implementation of provisions to prioritize placement of foster children with their
State Fostering Connections Bill Passes Legislature! Read More »
Yesterday, following a letter from the Governor agreeing to hold off on contracting with a new lead agency to provide child welfare services in the rural areas of the state until June 2012, the Legislature voted to delay consideration of LB 95. (As a reminder, LB 95 would have placed the moratorium the Governor promised
Moratorium Agreement Reached in Child Welfare Reform, But Oversight Legislation Delayed Read More »
A “welcome” probably isn’t completely accurate, since the Child Welfare System Accountability Program’s newest Staff Attorney has been with Appleseed for the past year and a half and has even blogged here. Nonetheless, Appleseed welcomes Robbie McEwen! Actually, “Staff Attorney” isn’t completely accurate yet either, since Robbie is currently completing his third and final year
Welcome Robbie McEwen! Read More »
Yesterday, the Legislature voted 40-0 to give first round approval to LB 177, a bill that would place key provisions of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act into state statute. This bill would strengthen the enforcement and local implementation of requirements to prioritize placement of children in foster care with their
State Fostering Connections Bill Advances Read More »
Yesterday, the Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments in an appeal of a juvenile court’s order holding HHS in contempt for failure to provide counseling services as ordered for a child in an out-of-home placement. In this case, HHS also questioned the authority of juvenile courts to hold HHS responsible for payments by HHS’s lead contractor
Enforcing Court Orders in the Best Interests of Children Read More »
Today, Nebraska Appleseed celebrates its 15-year anniversary! Fifteen years ago, our founders incorporated Nebraska Appleseed with the mission that, like Johnny Appleseed, we would “sow the seeds of justice” across the Great Plains – advocating fairness, opportunity, and equal justice for all people. These core values continue to drive our staff, interns, volunteers and supporters
Happy Birthday to Nebraska Appleseed! Read More »