Current Opportunities
Help Find Solutions to Improve the Child Welfare System
Nebraska Children seeks 12 Nebraska-based parents and caregivers who have experienced the child welfare system from various perspectives, including biological parents, foster parents, and relative or non-relative caregivers, to join our efforts. Your insights and experiences are invaluable in helping us improve the system and ensure the safety and well-being of children. Participating can make a meaningful impact and help shape a better future for families. The panel reviews the policies, procedures, and practices of State and local agencies. It evaluates how well these agencies fulfill their child protection responsibilities according to the state plan, child protection standards, and other important criteria. This includes examining how well the child protective services system is coordinated with foster care and adoption programs to ensure the protection of children. The group will meet monthly from May to September (for about 1.5 hours each time), and participants will receive a stipend for their time. Click here to complete an interest form by March 31 to be considered for this opportunity. Email larneal@nebraskachildren.org with any questions.
Camp Season is Approaching
Camp Catch-Up is offering two camps this summer to reunite young people separated by out-of-home placements. They will host a camp from near Firth from June 4-8 and another near Cozad from July 9-13. They are taking applications now for campers and new staff. The deadline for campers is April 15. See the attached flyers for more details and information.
Civic Engagement Study and Interview
Students at Nebraska-Omaha are working on a research project about young people’s perceptions of civic engagement in your community (IRB# 0379-23-EX). The research team is in the process of interviewing young people ages [18-25] about their experiences with civic engagement, and seeks young people for interviews. Participants will receive a $25 gift card for participating in the interview. If interested, reach out to civicresearch@unomaha.edu to schedule a25-60 minute interview over Zoom. Visit the group’s website to learn more about the team and project.
NJJA Awards and Scholarships Available
Each year, the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association provides a $500 scholarship to an outstanding college junior or senior working towards a career in juvenile justice or an associated field (e.g., social work, psychology, mental health) and have demonstrated a commitment to community and volunteer service. Students must reside in Nebraska and have at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above.
Applicants are asked to fill out a form describing work experience in the field, volunteer/community service experience, professional growth and development.
The Spirit of Youth Award aims to celebrate the success of one Nebraska young person under the age of 24 who has utilized the supports and services available to overcome personal obstacles and give back to his or her community after involvement in the juvenile justice system. Nominations may be submitted individually or on behalf of an organization. Applications will be reviewed and selected by the NJJA Conference Awards Subcommittee; with final approval from the NJJA Board. The Spirit of Youth recipient will be recognized at the annual NJJA conference awards luncheon
To learn more about the awards and scholarship, go to the NJJA website. The deadline to apply is April 1.
Call for ACF Grant Reviewers
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA) is seeking to engage people with lived experience as grant reviewers. To be selected by OFA to participate in a review, interested individuals must fully complete registration in the Reviewer Recruitment Module.
Youth Action Board in Lincoln seeks members
UNL-Center on Children, Families, and the Law are currently looking for young adults ages 18-24 that have experienced homelessness or been at risk for experiencing homelessness to join the Youth Action Board in Lincoln. We will be working to impact the homeless system response for youth and young adults as part of the Youth Homelessness System Improvement grant. Young adults will meet monthly to learn about the homeless system, build leadership skills through professional development opportunities and develop ways they see are best to impact the homeless system from the ground up. Young adults will be provided $25/hour in compensation for their time. To learn more, or if you work with young adults that would be interested in this opportunity, please reach out to Angela Gebhardt at 402-413-1810, use the QR code on the flyer, or by email at agebhardt@unl.edu.
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.
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
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.
