OUR WORK
SOLVING DEEPLY ROOTED, INTERRELATED SYSTEMIC ISSUES
Nebraska Appleseed works on issues directly impacting Nebraskans in urban and rural communities across the state. We use multiple strategies to advance innovative solutions that uplift our communities. In collaboration with community members and leaders, elected officials, and partner organizations, we strive to solve deeply rooted, interrelated systemic issues in a holistic approach: to fight against poverty, discrimination, and reckless indifference in four focus areas.
CHILD WELFARE
PROTECTING CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING FAMILIES
All children and families should have caring, safe homes. We’re committed to reforming the child welfare system by ensuring children and families receive support and intervention that strengthens families. To do this, we:
- Ensure there are strong prevention services so families enter the child welfare system only when necessary.
- Support children and families needs and rights when in foster care.
- Strengthen the outcomes of young adults who age out of foster care.
We collaborate with impacted youth and families, elected officials, and communities to strengthen child welfare policies. We amplify the voices of youth and families, protect the legal rights of children through litigation, and advocate in the Nebraska Legislature.
Children and families in the child welfare system are entitled to caring, safe homes; education; medical and mental health care; substance abuse treatment, thoughtful case management, and family rehabilitation and reunification.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH IN NEBRASKA
Starting October 1, 2023, health care providers generally cannot perform “gender-altering procedures” for people under 19 in Nebraska. However, Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer has to make rules that allow people under 19 to access non-surgical “gender-altering procedures” (like puberty-blocking drugs and/or cross-sex hormones) if certain requirements are met.
Download this Fact Sheet to learn more about access to gender affirming care after LB 574.
If you are or expect to be experiencing difficulty accessing or providing gender affirming care as a result of LB 574, please contact Nebraska Appleseed’s Community Assistance Line at 402-438-8853 ext. 205 or neappleseed.org/gethelp to speak about your experiences and rights.
For questions about your specific care, please consult with your medical provider.
For 24/7 confidential crisis support, contact the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678.
Note: The term “gender-altering procedure” is the legal term used and defined by LB 574 and is not intended to dis-affirm the experiences, perspectives, and necessity of gender affirming care.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
BUILDING A NEBRASKA WHERE EVERYONE HAS A REAL CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS
Regardless of people’s circumstances, everyone should have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. Our goal is to clear a path to allow Nebraskans to have those opportunities. When we find a barrier, we attempt to address it at the root cause so that people can better move ahead. We work to:
- Improve public assistance services and programs that help Nebraskans move ahead.
- Create better access to education and skill development.
- Create opportunity by increasing wages and benefits.
We try to think about the entire system. How can we ensure everyone has opportunity? What barriers exist now? What can be done to advance equity?
HEALTH CARE ACCESS
ENSURING ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
The health and wellbeing of our communities depends on the health and wellbeing of all Nebraskans. Health care coverage is a vital part of living a good life. Nebraskans with health insurance are physically healthier – and economically more secure. They seek out preventative care, they see a doctor when they need to, and they’re more likely to bounce back, physically and financially, from injury or illness. We work to ensure:
- Every Nebraskan has access to affordable health coverage.
- Every Nebraskan has the information they need to enroll in and use health insurance.
We’re working to make sure that important laws and programs that provide health care coverage like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act, are implemented properly in our state and that these programs are simple and easy to use.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH IN NEBRASKA
Starting October 1, 2023, health care providers generally cannot perform “gender-altering procedures” for people under 19 in Nebraska. However, Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer has to make rules that allow people under 19 to access non-surgical “gender-altering procedures” (like puberty-blocking drugs and/or cross-sex hormones) if certain requirements are met.
Download this Fact Sheet to learn more about access to gender affirming care after LB 574.
If you are or expect to be experiencing difficulty accessing or providing gender affirming care as a result of LB 574, please contact Nebraska Appleseed’s Community Assistance Line at 402-438-8853 ext. 205 or neappleseed.org/gethelp to speak about your experiences and rights.
For questions about your specific care, please consult with your medical provider.
For 24/7 confidential crisis support, contact the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678.
Note: The term “gender-altering procedure” is the legal term used and defined by LB 574 and is not intended to dis-affirm the experiences, perspectives, and necessity of gender affirming care.
IMMIGRANTS & COMMUNITIES
BUILDING VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE, AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES
Immigrant Nebraskans have been contributing and building lives in local communities for generations. At Nebraska Appleseed, we believe that our state has everything to gain from welcoming these new residents with open hearts and minds.
A welcoming environment not only brings out everyone’s strengths, but communities also benefit from everyone’s contributions and perspectives. With this in mind, we are working to improve our immigration laws and reframe the conversation on immigration in Nebraska to reflect immigrant contributions to our communities.
Real progress depends on each and every one of us working together. To do our part, we:
- Work with diverse statewide leaders to build local leadership and civic participation that creates positive local, state, and federal immigration policies.
- Support local efforts to build welcoming and inclusive communities.
- Educate Nebraskans to know and defend their rights at the workplace and in the community.