As Nebraska opened the third Educare facility in the state, it is worth addressing the idea of access and quality child care for families. Currently the program has two facilities in Omaha- Kellom serves 183 children and families Indian Hill serves 191 children and families. The new site located in…...
LB 216: Extending Supports and Services for State Wards to 21
Today, Voices for Children testified in support of LB 216, which voluntarily extends foster care services to age 21 for state wards. Here is our written testimony to the Health and Human Services Committee: January 31, 2013 To: Members of the Health and Human Services Committee From: Sarah Forrest,…...
LB 265: Improving Kinship Care in Nebraska
When children cannot remain safely with their own parents, the best place for them is often with adults whom they know, love, and trust. Research has shown that living with relatives or other close family friends minimizes children’s sense of loss after parental separation, increases stability in children’s lives, often…...
Educational Savings Plans
The rising cost of tuition has moved higher education out of reach for many families. Students are increasingly graduating with significant amounts of debt. In 2011, 63% of Nebraska’s college students graduated with debt averaging $24,284. These trends have made savings for higher education significantly more important. While attaining higher education…...
Child advocates praise efforts to reform Nebraska’s juvenile justice system
Over the few final days of bill introduction, Senators have introduced a number of proposals that have the potential to ensure a brighter future for many of our vulnerable youth by making crucial improvements to Nebraska’s juvenile justice system. “For many years, Voices for Children has been advocating for…...
Kids Count in Nebraska 2012 Report
The 20th annual Kids Count in Nebraska Report continues to provide pertinent information on the well-being of all children in areas of health, education, safety and economic stability and features a commentary on the Nebraska child welfare system. The report has a new look and a new focus on visual representation of…...
LB430: Helping Families Preserve Financial Security
Today, Senator Crawford introduced LB430 which aims to support families who access Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) and Child Care subsidies in achieving a successful financial future. Ultimately our work support programs should preserve and encourage long-term financial security. As many of our programs are currently structured the rules require…...
LB359: Child Care Subsidy Program
Access to affordable, licensed child care is vital to ensure that families can work and children are safe. Indeed, when families cannot afford licensed care, parents have a more limited ability to work consistently and in some cases, children can be left in an unsafe situation. In 2012, full-time care…...
