Current Opportunities
Advisory Board Applications Available
The Nebraska Children Youth Advisory Board is now accepting membership applications. The group meets monthly to advocate for change in youth systems and help guide the Connected Youth Initiative work at Nebraska Children. The board also provides annual recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services and helps facilitate two events – Legislative Days and LEAD the Summer. Members receive compensation for time and travel. Applications are due Friday, September 6.
Pregnant and Parenting Work Group
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation's Pregnant and Parenting Work Group is seeking new members! Join parents from across Nebraska who have experience in the foster care system and choose to use that experience to help others. The group draws from their lived experience to protect families, including previous and current foster children, by connecting them to resources such as concrete and social supports, advocating for change, and helping others advocate for themselves. New members should plan to start joining meetings in mid to late October. Members are compensated for their time. See the flyer for expectations and requirements. Complete this application by September 13, 2024 to be considered for this passionate group.
Project Everlast celebration The BRIDGE partnership
Please join in the celebration of Project Everlast Omaha and their new integration with The BRIDGE on Thursday, September 26 from 4-6 p.m. We hope to see friends of Project Everlast Omaha at their office, 314 S. 26th St, from past and present to celebrate the legacy and impact PEO has made in partnership with young people in the Omaha community since 2007. RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/kMBtysjpxA
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.
Seeking student and families input on educational information
Many agencies in Nebraska share education information — like school history, attendance, and transcripts — about systems-involved students, including the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, the courts, and probation to support students as they change schools. We want to hear your perspectives and experiences on how that education information is shared by those agencies. Your stories and ideas will help inform the recommendations provided to these state agencies for improving how they share that information to better support students. See the flyer below for more details on how to participate in the survey or a virtual open meeting.
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
How to obtain a free state identification (ID) for voting
Any person who is a resident of the state of Nebraska may obtain a free state ID card for voting purposes from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The applicant must indicate on the application that the purpose for the request is to obtain a state identification card for voting purposes. Please note, no person shall be a holder of an operator’s license and a state ID card at the same time.
Download this document for more information.
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.
