Did you know...
that over 50% of Nebraska's children in care have had more than 4 caseworkers? Foster Care Review Board 2010 Annual Report
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee has just issued its LR 37 report and recommendations regarding the child welfare reform initiative. Access the report here.
The Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative website currently has 8 online training videos available for MCLE credit (they can also be submitted for GAL Advanced credit approval). To see the list of training opportunities, click here. If you have questions about how to submit these trainings for credit, please contact Melissa Townsend.
2012 Nebraska Children's Summit
The Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative through the Nebraska Court Improvement Project is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring the 2012 Nebraska Children's Summit in Kearney on August 27-29, 2012.
This statewide summit is a follow-up to the 2009 Children's Summit in Grand Island that was attended by over 400 multidisciplinary professionals.
Video and materials from the 2009 Children's Summit are available at http://www.throughtheeyes.org/childrensummit_09.php.
The 2012 Children's Summit will be two and a half days of plenaries and breakout sessions. Please mark your calendar and stay tuned for more information!!
Oral Arguments
Oral arguments in abuse/neglect cases made before the Nebraska Supreme Court and Nebraska Court of Appeals are available on the Through the Eyes website. You may stream the audio on your computer, or download it to play on an iPod or other mobile device.
Oral arguments held in November:
- In re Interest of DeNasjha P., A-10-1233, Nebraska Court of Appeals
- In re Interest of Onyashy A., A-10-1234, Nebraska Court of Appeals
Caselaw Summaries
Trying to find an abuse/neglect case but can’t remember the case name? Use our search engine for abuse/neglect cases since 2006. Cases can be searched by keyword. To begin a search, click here.
- In re Interest of Thomas M. (282 Neb. 316, 803 N.W.2d 46, September 16, 2011) A juvenile court has the authority to hold DHHS in contempt for failure to comply with an order but must provide DHHS with reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. Full Summary
- In re Interest of Ethan M. (19 Neb. App. 259, ____ N.W.2d ____, October 11, 2011) The newly enacted statute removing the presumption that the case plan is in the child’s best interests is applicable to an already-pending case because it only affects a procedural right. DHHS must offer reasonable efforts to a parent whose goal is reunification to correct the conditions leading to out-of-home placement even if the child is placed with a non-custodial parent. Full Summary
- In re Interest of Shyan W. (unpublished opinion, November 1, 2011) Termination of parental rights was proper where the father failed to stop engaging in domestic violence, had an unstable living environment and failed to complete many court-ordered services including a batterer’s group. Full Summary
- In re Interest of Jay S. & Paige B. (unpublished opinion, November 8, 2011) Termination of parental rights was proper where the father did little to address his issues as a batterer, the mother consistently denied any domestic violence against her and would allow the father would have ongoing contact, and the child’s behaviors that were consistent with exposure to domestic violence got substantially worse. Full Summary
- In re Interest of Michael M. (unpublished opinion, November 8, 2011) Termination of parental rights was the proper where the father failed to make significant progress over 3 years in becoming able to parent the child and where the mother, while making progress right before trial, had a 10-year history with the child welfare system, took little advantage of services offered to her and chose to leave the state during the pendency of the proceedings. Full Summary
- In re Interest of LaKeiara J. (unpublished opinion, November 15, 2011) Termination of parental rights was proper where the father had little contact with the child, would be incarcerated past her age of majority, and has a history of drug use and law violations, and where the child had substantial health needs that the father cannot manage. Full Summary
- In re Interest of Kenyetta C. (unpublished opinion, November 29, 2011) A preponderance of the evidence established that keeping the newborn with the mother in a prison nursery is contrary to the child’s welfare based on the mother’s past criminal and child welfare history. Full Summary