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that a bill was signed by the Governor last month removing the statutory presumption that the DHHS case plan is in the child’s best interest?

The Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative/Court Improvement Project is offering 6 attorney scholarships to attend the NACC conference in San Diego this year from August 30th to September 1st.  Guardians ad litem, parents attorneys and county attorneys may apply.  More information is available here; please note that there is no restriction this year on years of practice.   The deadline to apply is July 1st.

This summer, the Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative is co-leading a series of trainings for Omaha and Lincoln area caseworkers on the issues of infants and toddlers in the child welfare court system.  This half-day training will be attended by all KVC and NFC Family Permanency Specialists, DHHS CFOMs, DHHS CFS Specialists and DHHS Initial Assessment workers.  Specific topics will include child development and the impact of trauma, the importance of mending the parent-child relationship and appropriate treatments, Part C/CAPTA evaluations and the Early Development Network, medical care, and early childhood education.

 

2011 Regional Conference registration opens on July 12

Registration for the annual fall regional conferences will open online on July 12.  This year’s locations are Sidney, Norfolk, Lexington and Ashland (Omaha/Lincoln). 

Topics include legal updates, substance-abusing parents, implementing Fostering Connections, domestic violence, and children’s sexual behavior.  Teams will have the opportunity to meet and work on action plans throughout the day. 

The regional conferences are directed toward members of the local teams, but anyone with involvement in the child welfare court system is invited to attend.

Click here to view our Save the Date Flyer

Final Helping Babies from the Bench training in 2011 being held in Grand Island on August 12th

The final training of 2011 for the Helping Babies from the Bench series will be held  in Grand Island on August 12th. 

The Helping Babies from the Bench series focuses on the needs of infants and toddlers in the abuse/neglect court system and how court stakeholders can improve their outcomes.

Topics include the impact of trauma on child development, the use of EPDST, Part C/CAPTA early childhood evaluations and more. 

The agenda is available here.  For more information or to register, click here.

Legislative Updates

  • On May 4, 2011, the Governor signed LB 648 into law, which (1) requires courts to inquire with the foster parent or caregiver about the child’s well-being, (2) requires DHHS to have up-to-date placement contact information for courts, and (3) removes the presumption that the DHHS case plan is in the child’s best interest
  • The 102nd Legislature adjourned Sine Die on May 26, 2011
  • The HHS Committee will be focusing on child welfare privatization this summer as part of LR 37.  The Legislative Performance Audit Committee will also be conducting an audit of child welfare privatization.  Click here for their Scope Statement.

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 Leland B. (19 Neb. App. 17, ___ N.W.2d ___, May 10, 2011)  Incarceration, standing alone, cannot be grounds for termination of parental rights. Full Opinion

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