Community Pages - Nebraska
Initiative Co-Investment Partners: The Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, the Sherwood Foundation, the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) is an organization committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children in the state. These improved outcomes are that children are healthy, safe, ready for and successful in school and beyond, valued and engaged in their communities, and that they experience supportive relationships in quality environments. NCFF convenes, supports, and actively develops partnerships among public and private funders, community organizations, decision makers, and most importantly youth.
Since 2003, NCFF has been the administrative home of the Statewide Foster Youth Council, an organization working to provide a voice and opportunities to youth in foster care transitioning to adulthood. In 2007, NCFF facilitated a youth-driven and community-nurtured process to develop the first Omaha Independent Living Plan, upon which the co-investment partnership with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is based. Funding partners are the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Sherwood Foundation and the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation.
Contact: Jennifer Skala, 402-817-2001
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508
Policy:
Flipping the Pyramid on Child Welfare Services
• Nebraska Governor Heineman has made it a priority to "flip the pyramid" on spending from 70% on out-of-home care to 70% on in-home services by 2012.
• As a direct result of the Initiative's 2008 fall convening, DHHS changed its position from opting out of NYTD, to implementation.
• With a mix of public and private funding, and using the network of health care providers in the Boys Town system, Omaha will soon be providing health care for all young people currently and formerly in foster care to age 24.
• DHHS worked with the Foster Youth Council to: ▫revise policy ensuring youth receive all their vital documents; ▫allow young people to get a drivers license while in care; and ▫increase the ability for siblings to maintain strong connections with each other.
• DHHS now requires private providers to establish foster youth councils in all regions of the state with the expectation that each region will have a youth-developed independent living services plan similar to the work done in Omaha.
News and Events:
Read about a Nebraska partner improving outcomes in health care for youth aging out of foster care.
Nebraska Opportunity Passporttm featured in the news.
