The passage of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act would be a momentous victory for children and families both nationally in Nebraska. The bill would allow federal dollars to be invested in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, while also enhancing supports for family-like placements and for older…...
Voices for Children Releases 2016 Legislative Scorecard
Since 2012, Voices for Children has produced a scorecard at the end of each legislative biennium, tracking every senator’s votes on a broad range of issues related to kids. Nebraska’s 104th Legislature adjourned in April after the second session of its biennium, and over the course of those two years,…...
Urge your Member of Congress to put Nebraska’s families first!
Last week, the Family First Prevention Services Act (H.R. 5456) advanced from the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously and its Senate companion bill (S. 3065) was introduced days later. The bipartisan and bicameral proposal would reform federal child welfare funding mechanisms to support prevention efforts and to reduce congregate…...
Pro-Kid Policy Changes 2015: Child Welfare
In Nebraska, bills that advance out of the Legislature and are signed by the Governor typically become law three months after the Legislature has adjourned sine die, unless the bill contains an emergency clause, rendering it in effect upon approval by the Governor. With all bills passed during the 2015…...
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which presents an opportunity to consider child welfare issues from a wider context before allegations of maltreatment come about. In 2013, 3,993 Nebraska children were victims of maltreatment (at a rate of about 8.6 per 1,000 children), marking a slight increase from the…...
Race Matters Conference: A Starting Point for Action on Racial Equity
Last week, Voices for Children in Nebraska convened more than 275 people to tackle race equity issues in our state. The Race Matters conference was a tremendous success, with amazing keynote speakers and a strong array of breakout sessions designed to inform, educate and motivate participants to action. We decided…...
Voices for Children Releases Pro-Kid Policy Plan for Nebraska
As the independent voice for kids, Voices for Children in Nebraska is committed to building pathways to opportunity for all children and families through research, policy and community engagement. As part of this commitment, we are releasing the first of its kind “Pro-Kid Policy Plan for Nebraska.” Guided by research, …...
Creating Opportunities for Families: A Two-Generation Approach
Last week, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released a policy report investigating ways to create opportunities for families – especially for those who are low-income. The report examines how low-income families with young children face extra barriers, like single parenting, difficulty speaking English, low education levels, lack of full-time employment,…...