Most people would agree that witnessing violent actions committed on (or by) trusted adults can negatively impact a child’s development. What most people do not know is that violent physical outbursts are but one facet of Intimate Partner (Domestic) Violence. According to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, Intimate Partner Violence…...
Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl
The custody battle for “Baby Veronica” has been discussed and debated around dinner tables across the country, but “Baby Veronica” isn’t a celebrity—at least not in the strictest sense—after all, she is not a singer/actress/athlete, nor is she the daughter of a singer/actor/athlete. “Baby Veronica” is the 3-year-old biological daughter…...
Is Nebraska the next “Comeback State”?
Last week, the National Juvenile Justice Network and the Texas Public Policy Foundation released a new report on the promising juvenile justice trends in a number of states. These nine comeback states have successfully reversed earlier trends and significantly reduced youth incarceration, all while maintaining public safety....
Meet FERPA, the HIPAA of education records
Child welfare agencies across the country are responsible for the well-being of more than half a million children. Unfortunately, children and youth in foster care are the most educationally at-risk of all student populations. Due placement interruptions and the school transfers that tend to follow, only about 54% of foster…...
LB 385: Foster Care Fairness Act
As introduced: When determining the suitability of placement, family participation and/or issuing a foster care license, the Department of Health and Human Services will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, disability, marital status, or national origin. Instead, all placement decisions will be based…...
LB 503: Implementing an Alternative Response Pilot Project to a report of child abuse or neglect
As introduced: Defines alternative response as a comprehensive assessment of the risk of subsequent abuse or neglect, family strengths and needs, and the provision of a referral for necessary services and does not include an investigation or formal determination as to whether child abuse or neglect has occurred. Investigation was…...
LB 216: Extending Supports and Services for State Wards (to 21 years old)
As introduced: Eligible former foster youth can voluntarily elect to extend case management and other services (including Medicaid, housing assistance and educational assistance) though DHHS. Under the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, Title IV-E eligibility can be extended until a former foster youth reaches…...
LB 265: Increasing and Improving Kinship Care in Nebraska
As introduced: Broadens the allowable placement of children involved in the child welfare system by permitting DHHS or another child placing agency by redefining the definition of foster homes. Kinship home are defined as homes where the caretaker has lived with the child(ren) in care or has had a significant…...
