A 15-year old is caught painting graffiti on a local bridge, and when police bring him home with the ticket, his mother tells them to take him in. She is worried because he has been coming home smelling like marijuana, but she’s also frustrated with his attitude in the home.…...
2015 National KIDS COUNT Data Book: Family and Community
Children who live in nurturing families and are part of supportive communities have better social-emotional and learning outcomes. When communities have strong institutions and the resources to provide safety, good schools and quality support services, families and their children are more likely to thrive. Parents struggling with financial hardship…...
The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: The Girls’ Story
Last week, the New York Times highlighted a newly-released Georgetown University Law Center report on the “sexual abuse to prison pipeline.” The report focuses on girls who become involved with the juvenile justice system after being charged with prostitution, although they are victims of sex trafficking. The researchers estimate that approximately…...
Data Snapshot: Nebraska’s Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers
Nationwide, states are reexamining their use of youth prisons to “treat” juvenile offenders. A mounting body of evidence shows that correctional models are costly and ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst, when it comes to reducing recidivism and producing positive outcomes for juveniles.[1] Nebraska operates two large-scale “deep end”…...
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…...
Keeping Nebraska’s Kids in Family Homes
Yesterday, Voices for Children hosted a lunch and learn event at the State Capitol highlighting the Annie E. Casey report “Every Kid Needs a Family.” Panelists discussed the report and recommendations, and highlighted efforts already underway in Nebraska to keep at-risk children in the environment where they are best supported…...
