Kids in the 2018 Nebraska Legislature

Last week, the Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die, marking the end of this year’s legislative session. Each year, Voices for Children works to set legislative priorities, driven by data and research, to make Nebraska the best place to be a kid. Read on for a recap of how kids fared this session.

Video: Voices for Children Celebrates 30 Years

25 Years Ago, Congress Passed the FMLA. It Wasn’t Enough.

There are needs that every American is likely to encounter in their lifetime. The FMLA guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a year and ensures protections against retaliation for taking time off. At the time, the law was a significant step forward. Still, The FMLA isn’t enough.

2017 Kids Count in Nebraska Report

We are excited to debut the 2017 Kids Count in Nebraska Report! Kids Count continues to be the most comprehensive source of data on the well-being of children in Nebraska.

2018 Pro-Kid Legislative Scorecard

Read on for our third Pro-Kid Legislative Scorecard‒ a complete accounting of how senators voted when it came to pro-kid policies during the 105th Nebraska Legislature.

New Report: American Indian, Black Children Face Far More Barriers in Nebraska’s Child Welfare System

The Nebraska state motto, “Equality Before the Law,” was chosen as a founding principle for our state, rooted in the belief that the laws that govern us should treat all people equally

For thirty years and counting, Voices for Children has used data and research to help policy makers and communities make informed decisions on issues impacting our next generation in the areas of health, child welfare, economic stability, and juvenile justice.

Mission

Voices for Children in Nebraska is the independent voice building pathways to opportunity for all children and families through research, policy and community engagement.

Vision

We will engage the public and state leaders to build systems removing obstacles and promoting opportunities for ALL Children to lead healthy, secure and fulfilling lives.

Values

Informed research drives our direction. When a policy is good, we support it; when it is harmful, we fight it; when it is missing, we can create it. Community engagement is how we promote systems change.

Data and Research

The 2016 Kids Count in Nebraska Report provides pertinent information on the well-being of all children in areas of health, education, safety, and economic stability and features a special commentary on the period of life known as emerging adulthood.

Visit NEteractive, our online data center containing all the trusted data found in the book.

Policy

Children are our state’s greatest resource, and the decisions our leaders make about them impact our collective future. Our policy priorities are guided by research, data, and proven best practices that improve child well-being. We pay close attention to the impact of race, socioeconomic status, and geography, and seek to remove barriers to opportunity within these areas: