Did you know...


that between 2008 and 2009, the median time to case closure for 3a cases with a removal in Nebraska dropped from 23 months to 18 months?

A Washington State study recently found that quality legal representation of parents speeds the timing of permanency outcomes for children by up to 102%.  Quality representation was provided through a program that aims to limit caseloads to 80, reduce the number of continuances, ensuring attorneys have reasonable time to prepare cases and work with clients, and providing social workers, expert resources, periodic trainings and oversight.  For more on the Washington State Parents Representation Program Study, click here.

The National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) is now accepting applications from Nebraska attorneys for certification as Child Welfare Law Specialists.  Attorneys and judges receive their CWLS credential by showing their proficiency in child welfare law through a comprehensive child welfare law competency process.  Fee waivers have also become available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Details about the NACC Certification program, including a Program Summary, Standards, QIC Waiver information, and application are available on the NACC website.

SAVE THE DATE for 2011 Helping Babies from the Bench

The next round of Helping Babies from the Bench trainings will be held across Nebraska this spring and summer.  These trainings focus on the needs of infants and toddlers in the abuse/neglect court system and how court stakeholders can improve their outcomes.  This series of trainings include Phase I, the overview of infants and toddlers, and Phase II, advanced topics and implementation into court practice.  Trainings will be held in McCook (May 6th), Broken Bow (June 9th), Valentine (June 10th), and Grand Island (August 12th).  Registration will open online on April 1st.  For more information, click here.

Registration now open for 2011 Lecture Series

Online registration is now open for the 2011 Lecture Series starting on April 26, 2011.  There is no cost to attend (and just $5 per MCLE credit).  Any court stakeholder with an interest in the topics is welcome to attend.

This year’s lecture series trainings are:

  • Effective & Ethical Representation of Very Young Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
    • April 26: Alliance
    • April 27: Lexington
    • May 17: Omaha* please note the date change
  • Immigration Issues for Children in Juvenile Court
    • May 3: Grand Island
    • May 4: Ashland
  • Advanced Topics on Substance Abuse Issues
    • May 25: O’Neill
    • May 26: South Sioux City
    • May 27: Lincoln
  • Ethics, Best Practices, or Both?  Ethical Dilemmas in Child Welfare Cases for the Nebraska GAL
    • June 13: Omaha
    • June 14: Lincoln
    • June 15: North Platte

Click here for more information.

Save the Dates! 2011 Regional Conferences

  • September 8th - Sidney
  • September 9th - Lexington
  • September 15th - Norfolk
  • September 16th - Ashland

Updates on the 2011 Legislative Bills affecting child welfare

  • LR 37, which would provide the HHS Committee oversight of the DHHS privatization process, was adopted by the Legislature and signed by the Speaker on February 10, 2011
  • An amendment to LB 94, which would permit an adoptive parent to read the child’s case file, was adopted by the Judiciary Committee which adds “The department shall not include in the case file to be read any information or documents that the department determines cannot be released based upon state statute or federal statute, rule or regulation.”
  • LB 94 was advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
  • An amendment to LB 112, which would loosen the transportation regulations for DHHS and contracted agencies, was filed on February 16th which further defines certain terms and clarifies that the exemption to regulations applies to vehicles engaged in residential care transportation and supported transportation services.

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 Kailynn I. (unpublished opinion, February 8, 2011) The parent’s occasional compliance with the court ordered plan over three years, is outweighed by the child’s need for a permanent home and termination of parental rights was therefore proper. Full Opinion
  • In re Interest of Corey W. et al. (unpublished opinion, February 15, 2011) If reasonable efforts have been made to reunify the child with a parent, placing the child out-of-state with another parent does not automatically create a situation not conducive to reunification; however; a concurrent goal of adoption should be changed to “change of custody” if placement with another parent occurs. Full opinion

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