Nebraska News
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Senator: Psych drugs might be over-prescribed for state wards
A 2010 study of 1,159 foster children in Nebraska showed 22.5 percent were taking psychiatric drugs.
The drugs prescribed were stimulants for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, antidepressants and antianxiety medications, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers -- all powerful drugs with potentially serious side effects.
In this session, Omaha Sen. Gwen Howard has renewed her efforts with a bill (LB837) to examine policies and procedures for prescribing and administering those mental health and behavior modification drugs for state wards.
The 12-member task force that would be created would cost the state up to $3,000.
In December, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report highlighted the need for guidance in prescribing and administering the powerful drugs for foster children.
National awareness of the issue has increased in recent years, with congressional hearings and media attention in a number of states.
A 2011 study by the Georgia Supreme Court said the complexity of the drugs, and their long-term effects on children who still are rapidly growing, dictate caution and special expertise in prescribing for children -- especially those whose parent is the state.
Read more: http://journalstar.com/news/unicameral/senator-psych-drugs-might-be-over-prescribed-for-state-wards/article_99a6ef6b-570d-5c75-a8ad-cbb231ffa7ff.html#ixzz1khTyP2Q7 -
Program could lead to child welfare changes
A pilot program that focuses on the emotional needs of abused and neglected children is being implemented in Tribland and eventually could reshape the approach to child welfare in the state.
Permanency Quest will involve 20 select children involved in the Court-Appointed Special Advocates of South Central Nebraska program from the organization's four-county area: Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster. CASA is an organization of volunteers who advocate for children in some abuse and neglect cases and follow them through the court system.
The model will be tested over the next five years, and information will be gathered about measurable outcomes with the children involved. Funding for the Permanency Quest program is provided by a five-year grant from the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation.
If the pilot succeeds, the plan would be to widen the scope of the program to eventually cover the entire state.
The program will be based on the 3-5-7 Model developed by Darla Henry of Pennsylvania after 40 years of social work. The model or its elements have been introduced into the child welfare systems in California, Delaware, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
Under the model, Henry said, the child welfare system eventually should see the need for fewer placements, the need for fewer days of care, and quicker movement toward reunification or adoption.
Henry explained the 3-5-7 Model during a seminar in Hastings earlier this week for caseworkers, state officials, lawyers, counselors, school representatives and others involved in the child welfare system. -
Firing fuels interest in dumping panel
State Foster Care Review Board members could find themselves on the hot seat after removing its longtime director, Carol Stitt, on Friday.
A key state lawmaker said the board's action fueled interest in a bill that would eliminate the board and make its agency an arm of the Legislature.
"I think a great number of us will be looking at (the) bill," said State Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln, who is chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Campbell said she heard from several senators Friday, including some who made the unusual request to testify at next week's public hearing on the proposal.
Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha, who introduced Legislative Bill 925, said several senators signed on as co-sponsors after the board's decision to oust Stitt.
The measure would eliminate the volunteer board that now runs the review agency.
"We brought them into this world, and we can take them out," Krist said.
Lawmakers created the agency in 1982 to oversee citizen reviews of children in the foster care system, monitor facilities that house children, collect information and make recommendations about the child welfare system.
Earlier Friday, review board members voted unanimously to end Stitt's 29-year tenure as executive director.
The action took effect immediately, but Stitt will remain as a consultant through May 1 and will receive full salary and benefits through that time. The board also agreed to pay her health insurance for another 18 months.
Kathy Bigsby Moore, the retired head of Voices for Children of Nebraska, was named interim executive director of the review board.
National News
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Study Finds New Guidelines Help Judges Better Serve Abused and Neglected Children and Their Families
Children who are removed from their parents for abuse or neglect allegations experience better outcomes when judges follow a set of decision-making guidelines during the initial removal hearing, according to a study released today by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ). Development of a benchcard containing the guidelines grew out of a national NCJFCJ initiative, Courts Catalyzing Change: Achieving Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (CCC). In partnership with Casey Family Programs and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, NCJFCJ member judges throughout the country are working to reduce the overrepresentation of children of color in the foster care system along with the disparate outcomes they and their families experience.
Researchers tracked more than 500 children through the court system in three cities and found that 45% more children were able to return home to their parents or live with extended family members when judges used the benchcard during their hearings. -
Court may not make ruling on child abuse case
The Supreme Court indicated Tuesday that it may not make a decision about whether child social workers need warrants to talk to potential victims of sex abuse at school.
Justices said the young girl whose mother sued over her seizure at school is no longer a child and therefore the case is moot. During the oral arguments, she was referred to as S.G.
"There is no case or controversy between S.G. and the petitioners," said her lawyer, Carolyn Kubitschek.
"Then why are you here?" Chief Justice John Roberts said. -
Pilot program offers respite option for area foster families
Kris and David Nelson enjoy being parents. So much so that after their two daughters grew up, the couple opened their home to foster children.
"We love family and feel this is something we can offer to others who need a caring family," said David Nelson, 62, a pastor.
No matter who the child is or how long they stay, the Nelsons want to show that all are loved and all are welcome. Hugs and encouraging words are given freely.
The Nelsons make time for creative activities like the New Year's "super sandwich" tradition, where fixings are piled high, Dagwood style.
David and Kris Nelson at the moment care for six children --- two adopted, four foster --- between 2 and 15 years old, plus former foster kids who come back to visit.
Now and then, the Nelsons, like other parents, need time to regroup and recharge, according to the couple's daughter, Andrea Nelson, 27, of Waterloo. Likewise, most kids enjoy some time away from their parents with a fun baby-sitter, she said.
But until last year, child care proved complicated for the Nelsons and remains a challenge for many of Iowa's 3,000 licensed foster families, according to Nancy Magnall of the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Association.
Upcoming Events
| Time | Event Title |
|---|---|
| Feb 8th | 2nd District - Otoe Team Meeting |
| Feb 16th | 11th District - Team 3 (McCook) Team Meeting |
| Feb 17th | 7th District team meeting |
| Feb 21st | Lancaster County Team Meeting |
| Feb 22nd | Omaha Team Meeting |
| more … |
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Priorities
- Reduce the time to reunification
- Improve systems effectiveness with parents with substance abuse issues
- Improve the use of parenting time to improve permanency
