In 2008 during our state’s Safe Haven crisis, parents relinquished custody of 36 children to the state of Nebraska. Most of these children were struggling with behavioral health challenges that had left their families feeling helpless. The message was clear: Nebraska’s families and children weren’t getting the help they…...
A better response to child maltreatment in Nebraska
The first goal of any child welfare system is simple—protecting children from abuse and neglect. But how states respond to reports of child maltreatment is changing significantly. Fewer states are relying solely on traditional investigations of abuse and neglect, and are instead opting for a variety of approaches that allow…...
A Different Approach to Child Safety: The impact on child welfare systems, children and families
In recent years, many states have been exploring new ways to address child maltreatment. Differential response, an approach that allows child protective services more than one way to respond to these reports, has seen promising outcomes. As Nebraska considers what child welfare reform looks like, please join us as…...
25 for 25: Lessons Learned from Safe Haven
We are commemorating our 25th Anniversary with 25 posts about our history and accomplishments between now and the Spotlight Gala on September 15. Join us for a celebration of Voices for Children and all of the organizations, lawmakers, and individuals who have supported our work on behalf of children. For details, visit voicesforchildren.com/spotlight-gala.…...
25 for 25: Safety, Permanency, and Well-Being for Foster Children
We are commemorating our 25th Anniversary with 25 posts about our history and accomplishments between now and the Spotlight Gala on September 15. Join us for a celebration of Voices for Children and all of the organizations, lawmakers, and individuals who have supported our work on behalf of children. For details, visit voicesforchildren.com/spotlight-gala.…...
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish
The Children’s Commission’s first meeting had only just begun yesterday afternoon when Governor Heineman mentioned his concern over how much child welfare services were costing the state. He talked about the need for reform within existing resources and also mentioned that the dollars Nebraska spends on child welfare are…...
Support for kin families, by the numbers
Yesterday, Sarah wrote about the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s new report, Stepping Up for Kids: What Government and Communities Should Do to Support Kinship Families. The report tells of the growing number of children who live with relatives or other closely-connected families as an alternative to traditional foster care. About…...
Stepping up for Kids: What Should Nebraska Do to Support Kinship Families?
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…...
