The Child Welfare System has long been a source of grave concern to Nebraskans. We see more and more families living in ways that are detrimental to the health and well being of children; sometimes the safety of the child is of such serious concern that children are removed from their homes. In other circumstances, children need to receive mental health care, and the only option available for parents so that their child may receive this care, is to ask that their child be made a ward of the State, in essence terminating their own parental rights, and having the child removed from their home.

It is believed that children grow best in their own homes, and either should be reunified with their parents or moved to permanency through adoption as quickly as possible. In Douglas and Sarpy Counties, the Nebraska Division of Children and Family Services contracts with a non-profit organization called Nebraska Families Collaborative to help meet the needs of families dealing with such issues. The collaborative is over-seen by representatives from Boys Town, Child Saving Institute, Heartland Family Service, Nebraska Family Support Network, and OMNI Behavioral Health.

If all families are able to avail themselves of professional services earlier, and there are follow-up services in place, then fewer children will be made state wards and more children can be served in family settings. Because the State Division of Children and Family Services has contracted with the Nebraska Families Collaborative, more children are staying in their home and more families are learning to build upon their own strengths for safer, healthier living.

It was a pleasure speaking with representatives from the Nebraska Families Collaborative about its services. Click on the button below to listen to the February 8 Not Alone broadcast to learn more about the Nebraska Families Collaborative program, or download the file and listen later. To listen to past broadcasts, visit The Kim Foundation Web site Not Alone Archive page.  

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February 8 – Nebraska Family Collaborative

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Airing every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CST on station KCRO, channel 660 AM based out of Omaha, Neb.), Not Alone is a live talk radio program focused on behavioral health and recovery. Developed by The Kim Foundation through the support of C&A Industries, Inc., Not Alone works to reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness. The show seeks to assure individuals, families, and communities that they are not alone, mental illness affects us all, hosting a variety of guest from across the country.