Enacted as part of the 1996 “welfare reform”, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF), is one of various public assistance programs designed to assist low-income families in meeting their basic needs. It is also an important tool for keeping families together and keeping kids out of the…...
Legislative Resolutions 2015
While most of our work during the legislative session focuses on legislative bills, we also keep an eye on legislative resolutions with the potential to impact the lives of Nebraska children. Legislative resolutions are formal, written motions that can be adopted by the Legislature. Resolutions can create committees and…...
Increasing Health Care Coverage for Nebraska Children
Health insurance coverage is particularly important for children and can ensure that they receive routine check-ups as well as preventive care and treatment. Nationally, 88.3% of children and youth who are eligible to receive coverage from CHIP or Medicaid are actually enrolled. Nebraska falls just under this average at 88.1%…...
New Report Examines Longitudinal Data on Participation in Public Programs
Public programs are intended to provide a temporary safety net for struggling families. A report recently released by the United States Census Bureau takes a look at the characteristics and participation rates of individuals who utilize public programs including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income…...
Tax Credits for Working Families Alleviate Poverty and Create Work Incentives
Government programs designed to support struggling families are crucial to ensuring that the needs of all children are met. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) have been effective and powerful tools for reducing child poverty across the nation. These tax credits – both federal…...
Voices for Children Statement on LB 599
Following the legislature’s decision to reject LB 599, Voices for Children in Nebraska Executive Director Carolyn Rooker released the following statement. “Voices for Children thanks the members of the legislature who stood with Nebraska students and families to defeat the effort to lower the youth minimum wage. This afternoon’s…...
WIC Works: Program Successes and Nebraska Data
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a proven public benefit program providing nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and social services to low-income women and their infants and children. The program provides vouchers for nutritious foods to support a…...
Aid to Dependent Children Offers Critical Assistance to Families in Need
Last week, Governor Ricketts used his administration’s first veto on LB 89, a bill to increase payment rates in the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) program and ease a family’s transition off of the program. In order to better understand how this legislation would have helped children, it’s beneficial…...
