Report finds deficiencies in Nebraska’s care for foster children and road blocks in searching for answers

The Nebraska Legislature’s Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Annual Report

Introduction

The Nebraska Legislature’s Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare has issued its annual report, highlighting deficiencies in the care of wards of the state. The report also expresses concern over a state attorney general’s opinion that limits access to information about Nebraska children in the welfare system. The report emphasizes the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in promoting accountability, transparency, integrity, and good government.

Investigations and Access to Information

1. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) opened nine investigations in Fiscal Year 2022-2023 involving the deaths, serious injuries, or alleged sexual abuse of children in Nebraska foster care.
2. The OIG acknowledges that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has restricted its access to information since the attorney general’s opinion. However, the OIG remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations.
3. The Nebraska Legislature has hired an attorney to determine its response to the attorney general’s opinion.
4. The OIG also faced limited access to information from Nebraska’s Jail Standards Board, hindering its ability to assess juvenile room confinement and data collection.

Alternative Response Cases

The OIG will investigate the deaths of two children involved in “Alternative Response” cases by Nebraska’s DHHS. The Alternative Response approach assesses the safety of children and connects families in crisis with community and economic resources. The number of Alternative Response cases has increased over the years, highlighting the need for oversight and evaluation of its impact on child safety.

Death and Injury Investigations

The OIG is required to investigate cases involving deaths or abuse of children in the welfare system and juvenile probation system. However, new protocols by Juvenile Probation have limited the OIG’s access to information, preventing the completion of these investigations. The report highlights a case where a 2-year-old child was seriously injured due to inadequate foster care placement and lack of support.

Suicide Prevention and Support

• The OIG recommends developing a comprehensive suicide prevention plan and dedicated policy and procedure.
• Mandating gatekeeper training for all staff members and standardizing training requirements for Child Placing Agencies.
• Providing suicide prevention content to foster care providers and actively participating in the State Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Neglect

The OIG reviewed 271 allegations of sexual abuse of Nebraska state wards, with 80 requiring no action. Out of the remaining cases, some were referred to law enforcement agencies or investigated by law enforcement and Nebraska Children and Family Services. The report highlights the difficulty in determining the prevalence of the issue due to unknown outcomes in many cases.

Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers

The number of children in Nebraska Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers has increased. These centers face challenges in hiring and staffing, as well as providing conditions that are more favorable to boys than girls. The report highlights incidents of assaults, self-harm, and attempted suicides in these centers. Efforts to improve educational opportunities within the centers are praised.

Support for Professionals

The OIG expresses support for Nebraska caseworkers, those engaged in the juvenile justice system, and foster parents. The report acknowledges the difficult and challenging nature of their work and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing support for these professionals to benefit children and families.

Conclusion

The Office of Inspector General was created in response to shortcomings in Nebraska’s child welfare system. The annual report emphasizes the need for accountability, transparency, integrity, and good government in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender-sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

• Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
• Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to electricity, by type of electricity source.
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: ketv.com

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