Thursday, January 6, 2011

Senators begin addressing child welfare reform

By JoANNE YOUNG / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, January 6, 2011 5:30 pm
Nebraska- State senators say they will attempt to put a legislative footprint on child welfare reform during this session.

So far, the state Department of Health and Human Services has been calling most of the shots on how reform, called Families Matter, proceeds.

Families Matter is an initiative to improve child welfare and juvenile services by keeping more children in their homes, getting state wards into permanent situations by reunification or adoption, and getting services to families quicker.

Eleven senators showed up Thursday morning at a news conference to talk about their concerns and bills they intend to introduce this session.

"The Legislature certainly has a role to play," said Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee. "Not only do we hold fiscal responsibility, but we certainly hold the responsibility for public policy and the protection and care of children across the state."

For a number of years, said Omaha Sen. Gwen Howard, there has not been a focused effort in the Legislature to address the issues of child welfare. Now, a number of senators are stepping forward.

"We've got a (Legislature) that's willing to look at this," she said.

But senators also need cooperation of the department when they ask for adequate information, she said.  FULL STORY

Judging by the bills they introduced, it looks like they actually plan on trying to clean up some of the mess.  We can only hope.

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