Over the last few years, both the Legislature and DHHS have invested time and resources in reforming our child welfare system. Between the progress already happening and changes in the works, they have taken intentional steps to ensure that our child welfare system is able to respond to the…...
Treating Kids Differently
Kids are different than adults. On its surface that’s a fairly simple, obvious statement. If you’ve spent any time around children of any age whether they’re cute, tiny babies, precocious preschoolers, or teenagers giving you attitude, you know it’s true. Not only do kids look different than adults, they act…...
Child maltreatment doesn’t start at removal, so we shouldn’t stop at reunification
The goal of the child welfare system is to keep kids safe in permanent, loving homes. After reading Martha Stoddard’s article in the Omaha World-Herald last weekend and reviewing the Foster Care Review Office’s quarterly report (mentioned in the article), the current state of Nebraska’s child welfare system looked pretty…...
Maintaining our Child Welfare Commitment
At the core of our child welfare system are two key objectives: strengthening families to prevent abuse and neglect; and responding thoughtfully and swiftly to ensure all Nebraska’s kids have the best possible chance to grow up in safe, stable, and loving homes. This is no easy feat. It requires…...
