Today, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released a new policy report on kinship care, Stepping up for Kids: What Governments and Communities Should Do to Support Kinship Families. Kinship care is the age-old tradition of relatives and close family friends caring for children when their parents are unable to do…...
LB 972: Make Changes to Nebraska’s Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers
As Introduced: The bill would have placed the YRTCs under the administration of Nebraska’s Department of Correctional Services rather than the Department of Health and Human Services, breaking apart the responsibilities of DHHS’ Office of Juvenile Services. As Amended: The bill no longer transfers the YRTCs to the Department of…...
LB 768: Ensure Case File Access to Adoptive Parents
As Introduced: The bill clarifies the intent of the Legislature to allow all adoptive parents access to case files, even after the adoption has been finalized. This bill builds on LB 94 which was introduced in 2011. Introducing Senator: Howard Committee: Judiciary Committee Hearing Date: January 20, 2012...
LB 821: Create the Nebraska Children’s Commission and Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare
As Introduced: The bill created the Nebraska Children’s Commission with voting membership from all three branches of government and a variety of stakeholders. It also required DHHS and the Children’s Commission to prepare legislation that would create a Department of Children’s Services by January 1, 2013. In addition, LB 821…...
LB 949: Fiscal Transparency for Child and Family Programs
As Introduced: The bill requires quarterly reporting to the Legislature on the expenditures of the Division of Children and Family Services (CFS), with any movement of $250,000 or more between programs identified. LB 949 additionally requires CFS to submit a strategic plan with clear performance measures and a report on…...
LB 961: Create a Privatization Pilot Project and Establish Caseload Standards
As Introduced: LB961 required all case management responsibilities to return to DHHS employees by September 1, 2012 including all court-involved and voluntary cases. The bill also required a ten percent reduction in caseloads of employees each year until Nebraska would be compliant with national CWLA standards. The bill also realigns…...
LB 993: Provide Funds and Clarify Responsibilities of Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams
As Introduced: The bill makes a number of changes and clarifications to statutes relating to child advocacy centers (CACs) and Multidisciplinary Teams (1184 teams): It clarifies the role of Child Advocacy Centers, specifying that their role is both to provide a location for forensic interviews and medical exams of alleged…...
