Current Opportunities
Children’s Commission Opening
The Governor’s office is looking for candidates to fill the young adult role on the Nebraska Children’s Commission. The statutory requirement for membership says “a young adult previously in foster care”. An interview may be required for applicants. Members can receive reimbursement for applicable mileage, meals and hotels. If interested, please share your name, contact information, and a few sentences why you are interested to Lincoln Arneal at larneal@nebraskachildren.org by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
UNO hosts Juvenile Justice film
UNO's Juvenile Justice Institute and their sponsors are offering a screening of the documentary "The Prison Within" on Nov. 7 from 4-6 p.m. at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center on the UNO campus. This movie documents the journey of those who were harmed and those who have caused harm and the power of restorative justice in San Quentin Prison.
Youth Mental Health First Aid class offered
Region V Systems is offering a Youth Mental Health First Aid class on Dec. 10 from 8:30-5:30 in Lincoln. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or crisis, and connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, or self-help care. Anyone can take the Youth Mental Health First Aid course, but it is ideally designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18 - teachers, coaches, leaders of faith communities, social workers, and other caring citizens. Register here. The class is open to the first 30 registrants.
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
YALA cohort open
Youth Advocate Leadership Academy (YALA) is hosting its next academy from November 19-21. YALA is a program created by youth for youth, designed to help young leaders (18-29 years of age) feel empowered, develop essential skills and make a meaningful impact in their community. The Youth MOVE Peer Center is pleased to offer this opportunity at NO-COST to you! Learn more on the flyer below. If you’re interested, please complete this form.
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
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.
