Current Opportunities
Legislative Days 2025
Registration is open for this year’s Legislative Days event on February 1-3. During the weekend, participants will learn about the legislative system, public speaking, and advocacy and will make a presentation about a current bill to present to elected officials. Registration is open to participants of youth leadership chapters, other NCFF-sponsored programming (i.e., LEAP, coaching) or through community collaboratives. Please sign up at bit.ly/LegDays2025 by January 15. For each chapter/group, we are starting with a cap of seven people with the opportunity for more based on the overall response. See the attached flyer for more details, or contact larneal@nebraskachildren.org with any questions.
Help Shape Fatherhood Programs in Nebraska
Nebraska Children is looking for 5-7 fathers (18+, have at least one child younger than 24, and live in Nebraska) to share their experiences and provide valuable input on creating programs that support dads across Nebraska. Your insights will help NCFF develop initiatives focused on parenting skills, relationship skills and employment readiness. They want to hear from fathers in all situations, including those involved with the justice system. The group will host one four-hour in-person meeting and a 90-minute weekly virtual meeting over seven weeks. All participating fathers will be paid $35 per hour for their time. Childcare and travel reimbursements will also be provided as needed. Click here to complete an interest form by January 20 to be considered for this opportunity. Email syelkin@nebraskachildren.org with any questions.
Foster Care and Higher Education Study
A Ball State graduate student is currently conducting a study and would like to invite you to participate. The study is looking at the academic experiences of college students who were previously in foster care. To participate in the study, you must be 18 years old or older, enrolled in a university and involved in foster care for at least one year prior to turning 18. The study will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Those who participate will be eligible to enter for an equal opportunity chance to receive one of five $25 gift cards. Click the link to participate: https://bsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YUo2cUIy6iXXKK. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Ball State University, IRB approval #2125907-1. If you have any questions about the study, please email Michaela Holloway at meholloway@bsu.edu
Appleseed Youth Fellowship Available
Nebraska Appleseed is taking applications for its Child Welfare Youth Fellowship. Fellows will gain experience working in a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on child welfare and juvenile justice reform and support for older youth who are aging out of these systems. They will have the opportunity to build and strengthen skills and explore interest in advocacy professions by connecting with other Nebraska Appleseed staff, community members and organizations and taking part in professional development and training. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for young adult advocates, especially those who were formerly in the foster care system or juvenile justice system, to grow their skills as leaders and equal partners in child welfare reform. Please apply using this link!
Contact Sarah Mitchell at smitchell@neappleseed.org or (402) 739-9939 for more information or questions.
Seeking Opinions on Costs of Child Welfare System
The National Center for Youth Law seeks input about the costs imposed on families involved in the child welfare system. There are two separate surveys -- one for youth/families and one for practitioners. Youth and families who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 VISA gift card and any family who has a follow up conversation will be given an additional $50 gift card.
Post-system involvement supports survey
Appleseed is looking for young people to share their voice to complete a survey on what life after foster care looks like. Your participation in this survey will contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes within the child welfare system. All information provided will be anonymized and used solely for the purpose of generating insights and advocating for policy changes that improve the lives of those impacted by the child welfare system. Thank you for your willingness to share your experiences and insights. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for all individuals involved in the child welfare system. Complete the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFAcYLqot_TZhw_Ky8U6c4yDbKHrm21N-Vfw0qaoAsqP3Bew/viewform
Coalition seeks youth members
The Nebraska Coalition of Juvenile Justice (the Coalition) is seeking youth applicants for the Coalition under federal and state statutes. The Coalition is a group of youth justice stakeholders committed to improving the youth justice system in Nebraska. An important part of that work is having those voices at the table that have lived experience in the system. The Coalition is seeking youth and young adults up through age 27 who are willing to participate and take leadership roles when they are ready in making real change recommendations to the Nebraska Legislature and Governor. This could include leading a young adult coalition that seeks youth voice of those currently in the system to hear what changes need to happen now. This could also include active involvement in making grant funding recommendations to programs and services statewide to serve youth and families in the system and to keep youth out of the system.
If you are interested in applying for a position on the Coalition, submit your application for Executive Appointment. Interested parties can apply by completing the Executive Appointment form online. If you need more information, contact Elaine Menzel (Elaine.Menzel@NebraskaCounties.org) or Amy Hoffman, Director of Juvenile Programs and Interventions at 402.471.3846 or amy.hoffman@nebraska.gov.
We Want Your Voice To Be Heard!
Are you a young adult aged 18-25 with experience in the Nebraska state and/or tribal child welfare system? We want your voice to be heard!
Tribal youth are not accessing services to help in the transition to adulthood. We want to change that and YOU can help!
If interested in this discussion, please email Kitty at kitty@nicwc.org, scan the QR code on the flyer, or visit this link to get started.
Incentives and travel reimbursements are available for participants.
