Current Opportunities
Juvenile Justice Coalition seeks youth members
The Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) is looking for young people to join its board. NCJJ serves as the state advisory group overseeing youth justice policies in accordance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and focuses on improving the juvenile justice system, ensuring fair treatment for youth, and addressing issues related to detention, arrest, and status of youth in the juvenile justice system. Members are appointed by the Governor and work to promote effective solutions for youth in Nebraska. The Young Adult Committee works to amplify youth voices and drive meaningful change in Nebraska's juvenile justice system and shape a system that better serves and supports youth in Nebraska. Applicants need to complete a Governor appointment form and email it to John Turner John.Turner@nebraska.gov or Pat Selk at Pat.Selk@nebraska.gov, noting in the additional comments section that they are applying as a young adult under the age of 24.
Appleseed Offering Summer Internships
Nebraska Appleseed is taking applications for its Summer Internship Program. The internships are part-time, paid positions working on average 10 hours per week. To be eligible for an internship, the work must be performed within the state of Nebraska and require all interns to have access to a personal computer and internet access. Interns may work to conduct research projects, assist with advocacy and public policy work, help with community outreach and education, and provide general office support. Interns work directly under the supervision of a program and/or support manager. Applications for the Summer 2025 semester are due by Friday, April 11th at 5 pm CT. Please apply using this link! If you have any questions, please email our Program Associate, Gabriel Long Soldier, at glongsoldier@neappleseed.org.
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.
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.
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!
Please email, text or call Schalisha Walker at swalker@neappleseed.org or (402) 218-1848 with any questions about the application or fellowship.
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.
