Our future prosperity and success as a state depend upon the investments we make today in our children and youth. For a long time, the future of our youth and our state has been jeopardized by our failure to make smart investments and important reforms to our juvenile justice system.…...
Don’t cut home visiting services – Oppose AM1297
This week, the Legislature has spent many hours discussing our state budget and just how Nebraska will invest in kids and families over the next two years. One important decision was the overwhelming rejection of an amendment that would have decreased funding for home visiting programs. Voices for Children has long…...
National Foster Care Month an opportunity for real change for Nebraska’s kids
Today, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation making May National Foster Care Month. Since 1988, May has been designated as the month to recognize the contributions of foster parents and call attention to the needs of children in our nation’s foster care systems. Nationally, 382,400 children under 18 currently are in…...
Making sure youth get the right services, close to home – LB 561
Children need our care and protection to grow, thrive, and become productive members of our society. When a young person breaks the law, we must respond in a thoughtful way that gives children their best possible chance at success, while still ensuring the safety of our communities. Unfortunately, Nebraska’s juvenile…...
Searching for Justice
This past June, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that the mandatory sentencing of children and youth to life without parole is cruel and unusual punishment, because it ignores the very fact that children are children. Youth are both less culpable for their actions and more…...
By-the-numbers: Juvenile life without parole
Currently in Nebraska, judges are required to sentence youth who commit murder to life without parole, and cannot consider any relating factors such as the child’s age or life circumstances. LB 44, which advanced to Select File today, would allow judges to consider the child’s circumstances when imposing a sentence.…...
Ending juvenile life without parole – Support LB 44
All children deserve and need society’s protection to grow into healthy, productive adults. Even children who commit serious crimes are still children. We should respond to youth crime in a thoughtful and effective way that preserves community safety, contributes to Nebraska’s future prosperity, and gives children the protection they need.…...
Encouraging placement of children with relatives and family friends – Support for LB 265
All children deserve to be raised by responsible adults with whom the child feels a bond. When children cannot safely remain with their parents, the best choice is usually for them to live with extended family members, family friends, or other trusted adults. This practice is commonly referred to as…...
