Nebraska Ag Connection - Collaborative Partners Promote Child Abuse Prevention

Nebraska Ag News Headlines

Collaborative Partners Promote Child Abuse Prevention
Nebraska Ag Connection - 12/13/2018

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) -- Division of Children and Family Services is partnering with the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and the Douglas County Community Response Collaborative to prevent unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system by supporting an accessible primary prevention system in Douglas County. A $2.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- Administration for Children and Families -- Children's Bureau, to fund community collaborative programs over a five year period, was announced at a press conference Wednesday in Omaha.

"We are grateful to President Trump and Secretary Azar for supporting our efforts to improve outcomes in our child welfare system with this grant. Their support will help deliver better outcomes for our children and help prevent some kids from entering the child welfare system," said Governor Pete Ricketts. "By connecting more people to community-based prevention efforts and bringing partners together to develop new strategies, we can help even more of our kids and families achieve successful outcomes."

The primary purpose of the grant is to prevent unnecessary involvement in the child welfare system and to improve access to primary prevention programs in Douglas County which helps to build a family's protective factors and offers essential supports proven to keep children safe and thriving families intact.

"Collaboratives give DHHS an opportunity to work with community partners to address family challenges in their infancy," said Children and Family Services Director Matthew Wallen. "Our team members are on the front lines. We see first-hand what happens when children are removed from their homes and separated from their parents. It's far better for families and children when services can be provided in their home and communities can work together with the family to resolve problems before they become a crisis."

Under the agreement, DHHS will provide staff support, funding consultation, data collection, program assessment and outcome evaluation support to the partnership. DHHS also plays a key role in identifying the target population for the program, which, in this case, is children who are at risk of referral to, or involvement with, the child welfare system.

The planning period for the grant funded project runs through July 2019. The implementation period, upon project approval by the Children's Bureau, would then run through September 2023.

"Improving family engagement and increasing the number of families we can safely serve in the family home reduces the trauma experienced by the family in the time of crisis," said Wallen. "Developing programs that strengthen community collaborations help us work toward that goal and enable us to help people live better lives."

Other Nebraska Headlines