Telling the whole story.
Annual Report 2012
From the Executive Director
In 2012, we celebrated a milestone anniversary at Voices for Children in Nebraska– 25 years of being the voice for Nebraska’s most vulnerable children. Over the years, Voices for Children has secured many, many policy victories for children and this past year is no exception. On page 8, you’ll see some of our key wins for kids during the 2012 Legislative Session. One of the reasons we have been so incredibly successful this year is our stepped-up efforts to collaborate, partner, and engage with advocates, professionals, and decision makers across the state. We have continued to let our Kids Count in Nebraska Report guide our decisions around necessary policy changes. We have worked tirelessly to find new and innovative ways to engage Nebraskans in awareness and action to make our state better for all children. Through our almost daily blog posts, use of social media, issue briefs, infographics, motion graphics, and visualizations we have brought the stories of children to life better than ever before! At Voices for Children, we are passionate about fairness for all Nebraska kids. We have been and always will be the outspoken, independent voice for children and are committed to “telling the whole story” of Nebraska’s kids loud and clear when it comes to the challenges they face. Awareness, action, and change do not happen by accident or in isolation. On behalf of the staff and board of directors, I want to thank each of you who have, in your own way, helped us tell the whole story of children in our state and in our communities. Together, I am sure we can continue to change the world for the better for all of our children. Sincerely,
Carolyn D. Rooker, MSW Executive Director
2
About Voices for Children Our Mission:
Voices for Children in Nebraska educates and motivates Nebraskans to take action to better the lives of Nebraska’s vulnerable children in the areas of Health, Education, Safety and Economic Stability. Policy victories for kids don’t happen by accident. For 25 years, Voices for Children in Nebraska has been standing up for the best interests of Nebraska’s kids and working with lawmakers to craft the best solutions for the problems children face.
With kids at the center of our work, we follow three basic principles: When a policy is good…
…We will support it When a policy is harmful…
…We will fight it When a policy is missing…
…We will create it 3
Research All of Voices for Children’s advocacy for kids lies on a strong foundation of data and research. For 19 years, the cornerstone of this research has been the annual Kids Count in Nebraska Report. We use the commentary and data throughout the year to inform the public and lawmakers about the important issues that impact kids. The 2011 edition was released in January 2012. The Kids Count in Nebraska Report Commentary focused on early childhood – the critical years of development from birth through age 8. The Commentary highlighted how young children fare in terms of health, education, safety, and economic stability and featured policy solutions that improve outcomes for young children.
The Kids Count in Nebraska 2011 Report was generously funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
with additional support provided by: Dr. Thomas & Jane Tonniges and
4
When we see a need for additional information that isn’t contained in the Kids Count in Nebraska Report, we produce a special Issue Brief. In 2012, we produced an Issue Brief on Children’s Behavioral Health, building upon the data and research contained in the Kids Count 2010 Commentary. We released the Issue Brief on July 18 at Boys Town with a panel discussion on racial and ethnic disparities in behavioral healthcare.
Kids Count in Nebraska by the Numbers 97 state-level indicators of child well-being 76 pages 65 tables & figures
In May 2012, the Annie E. Casey Foundation (the primary sponsor of Kids Count in Nebraska) released a new report on kinship care, Stepping Up for Kids: What Government and Communities Should Do to Support Kinship Families. Voices for Children helped highlight the release of the report and Nebraska-specific data at a panel discussion with local stakeholders.
32 county indicators 5 impact & policy boxes
5
Awareness Conferences, Panels, and Guest Speakers Conferences and panel conversations help elevate the level of conversation on key issues related to child well-being. Panels, like those on kinship care and behavioral health featured on page 5, were held around a particular report or issue brief. On occasion, Voices for Children brings in national experts to share data and research with community leaders and lawmakers. In 2012, we brought in Dr. Bryan Williams of Emory University to inform the debate around prenatal care with data from his research on the connection between pre-term and low birthweight births and educational outcomes. Dr. Williams’ presentations helped make the case for the eventual restoration of prenatal care coverage.
Dr. Williams presents his research at a Town Hall event cosponsored by Voices for Children and Building Bright Futures.
In December 2012, we hosted a Juvenile Justice Summit, bringing national and local experts together to educate and inform advocates and stakeholders and begin a larger conversation about the issues facing youth. The Summit helped pave the way for juvenile justice reform discussions in early 2013.
Voices for Children’s Sarah Forrest (left) leads a panel discusion at the Juvenile Justice Summit with speakers from across the country and local Nebraska experts.
6
Infographics As a data-driven organization, we rely on infographics and data visualizations to help us better understand an issue or to give the data context.
Awareness by the Numbers 122% growth in Twitter followers
Website & Social Media
Our website and blog serve as a central repository of data, information, and analysis on the issues affecting Nebraska’s children. Moving policy forward for kids requires a conversation about the issues and challenges they are facing. The growth in our social media presence is just one way we know that our work is having an impact on those conversations. In 2012 our Facebook fans grew by 65% and Twitter followers grew by 122%.
140 attendees at panel conversations 233 attendees at Juvenile Justice Summit
Want to be a part of the conversation? Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/ voicesforchildreninnebraska
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/voicesNE
7
Advocacy The 2012 Legislative Session was known as the “Session of Children.� Voices for Children testified on a record number of bills and more child related bills made it through the legislative process than in any year in recent history. Here are a few highlights of the legislative session:
Health
The most significant victory for kids in 2012 was the restoration of prenatal care for all low-income babies. Thanks to the passage of LB 599, Nebraska will return to its longstanding policy of ensuring that all babies have access to this essential care under Medicaid. One unfortunate loss for kids this session was the defeat of LB 1020. This bill was initially passed by the Legislature but vetoed by the governor. LB 1020 would have provided grant funding for the start-up costs associated with school-based health centers.
$
Economic Well-Being
Another important policy change in 2012 was the passage of LB 825, which restores in-person access to public benefit programs. Many Nebraskans were struggling to access public benefit programs through the new online and phone service system. LB 825 will ensure that struggling children and families who need assistance can have in-person access to these services if they need it.
Child Welfare
Legislators took promising first steps towards comprehensive reform of Nebraska’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems in 2012. Bills that came out of the LR 37 interim study laid a foundation for stakeholder involvement, strategic planning and evaluation, and greater system stability. Most importantly, clear caseload standards and the funding to make them a reality will improve the quality of care we offer to children and families.
8
Juvenile Justice
The Legislature made important strides towards keeping youth involved in the jjuvenile justice system in their homes and communities, transferring over $8 million for a pilot project run by the Office of Probation Administration in Douglas County, Scottsbluff, and North Platte (the 4th, 11th, and 12th Judicial Districts). Legislators also rejected a harmful proposal that would have moved the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers to the Department of Corrections.
1040 -----------------------------------------
Tax & budget
In 2012, the Legislature passed a small income tax cut for Nebraska families. Although Voices for Children supports reducing the tax burden on low- and middle-income families, we opposed this bill because it will result in a significant increase in the state budget shortfall. Budget shortfalls have historically resulted in cuts to services for children and families, and we believe that it is irresponsible to shortchange children’s health and education for a tax cut that provides a very minimal amount to most Nebraska families.
Advocacy by the Numbers 467 bills introduced 171 bills impacting kids 31 positions taken on bills 3 interim studies introduced
9
Spotlight Gala Voices for Children celebrated our 25th anniversary at the 2012 Spotlight Gala at the Embassy Suites-La Vista on September 15. More than 500 event attendees helped raise over $150,000 to support our research and advocacy. Mayor Jim Suttle and Former State Senator Deb Suttle served as honorary chairs. They were recognized for their longstanding community involvement, especially Mrs. Suttle’s nearly ten years of service on the board of directors of Voices for Children in Nebraska. Awards presented during the “Spotlight Gala” included: Champion for Children Award to State Senator Kathy Campbell, Individual Award to Tim Barry, Business Award to KETV Channel 7, Nonprofit Award to RESPECT, Youth Award to Project Everlast and Lifetime Achievement Award to Betty Cernech. Brandi Petersen of KETV Channel 7 served as event emcee and Scott Moore led the live auction as auctioneer. The “Spotlight Gala” committee members were led by Mary Hunziker, Patti Koraleski, Emily Tonniges, Tessa Gifford, and Wendy Koontz. More than 30 other community volunteers helped plan and organize the event, serving on subcommittees including awards, facilities, public relations, and silent and live auction. Special thanks to Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Just Good Meat, Quality Beers of Omaha and Upstream Brewery for their donations.
Photos by Nikki Moseman Photography
The event’s Presenting Sponsor was Lozier. Diamond sponsors of the event included KETV Channel 7, Alegent Creighton Health and Barnhart Press. Platinum sponsors included Building Bright Futures, Husch Blackwell Sanders, Omaha Steaks, The Nebraska Medical Center and Dr. Tom and Jane Tonniges and family.
Honorary Chairs, Mayor Jim and Deb Suttle
10
Event & Auction Chairs Patti Koraleski, Wendy Koontz, Tessa Gifford, Emily Tonniges, and Mary Hunziker
By the numbers
As an independent voice for kids, Voices for Children in Nebraska wouldn’t exist without the financial contributions of foundations, individuals, and corporate supporters. A complete list of those donors is available online at www.voicesforchildren.com/annualreport.
Income Contributions - 7.5%
Carryover* ........................... Grant Awards ....................... Special Events ..................... Contributions ........................ Community Giving ................
$ 140,000 $ 223,7500 $ 117,706 $ 30,269 $ 4,244 $ 515,969
Community Giving 1.1%
Special Events 31.3%
Grant Awards - 59.5%
*In December 2011, Voices for Children received $140,000 in grants for work to be completed in 2012. Grants are recorded when notification of the grant is received, which does not always match when the expenses are incurred.
Expenses Other/Administrative - 11.8%
Awareness ......................... Research ............................ Other/Administrative ........ Fundraising ........................ Advocacy ............................ (Direct lobbying)
$ 196,814 $ 185,236 $ 58,488 $ 43,126 $ 10,703 $ 494,367
Fundraising - 8.7% Advocacy - 2.1%
Awareness/Public Education - 39.8%
Research - 37.5%
11
Donors Foundations, Organizations, and Businesses $90,000 + The Sherwood Foundation $75,000-$89,999 The Annie E. Casey Foundation $25,000-$74,999 The Lozier Foundation William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation Holland Foundation $10,000-$24,999 Woods Charitable Fund, Inc. Alegent Creighton Health $5,000-$9,999 Presbyterian Church of the Cross Nebraska Medical Center Building Bright Futures ConAgra Foods Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP The Hawks Foundation The Todd & Betiana Simon Foundation $2,000-$4,999 Omaha Schools Foundation
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Nebraska Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church P & A Management Co., L.L.C. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska Boys Town Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Bryan Health
$500-$1,999 American Communications Group First National Bank of Omaha Grace/Mayer Insurance Kiewit Corporation KPMG Kreativ Element Kutak Rock LLP Leo A. Daly Masimore, Magnuson and Associates Methodist Hospital Milton S. & Corinne N. Livingston Foundation Monroe-Meyer Institute Nebraska State Education Association
N.P. Dodge Omaha Firefighters Local 385 One World Community Health Center OPPD Owens Educational Services Rebel Interactive St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center The Kim Foundation The Visiting Nurse Association of the Midlands Union Bank & Trust UNMC- College of Public Health University of Nebraska Foundation $100-$499 Access Bank J & B Group Sampson, Curry & Twiss, PC $1-$99 Ebsco Industries, Inc.
Donors Individual Gifts
Keith & Paula Allen Jason Ames Rodney & Kim Anderson Kim Armstrong Jodie Austin Jerry & Karen Authier Barbara Beck Lauren Berry Kendra Bigsby Cassy Blakely Drs. Bob & Stacie Bleicher Steven & Carol Bloch Father Steven Boes Dennis & Amy Boesen Rachel Boyer Bruce & Toya Boyer John & Beatty Brasch Lawrence Brennan & Marjorie Mullen Brennan Kelly Brewer Dr. Beth Ann Brooks Lowell Brooks & Patty Pansing Brooks Carol Bryant Patrick & Anne Buettner Dori Bush Lois Butler Stacey Call Senator Kathy & Richard Campbell Patricia Carlson Dr. Jane Carnazzo Jennifer Carter Betty Cernech Mark & D.J. Clarke Jennifer Cooke Michael & Willie Cronin Steven & Beverly Curry Daniel Daly Nicole DaSilva Jonas & Chris DaSilva
Jerry Davis Janet Decker Barry DeJong Donald & Mary Dendinger Judy Dierkhising Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Sharon Doll Judy Domina Jennifer Dreibelbis Jeff Drelicharz Steve & Abby Drucker Christine Dumont Jay & Shirley Dunlap Kyle Dyer Jim & Barb Farho Jason Feldhaus John & June Fettig Sean Filler Barbara Flaherty Don & Janice Flegle Joseph Kapusnick & Sarah Forrest Mitzi Fox Renee Franklin Bryan Fraser Ricky & Mary Fulton R. Edward & Patricia Gehringer Jill Gettman Emily Getzschman Tessa Gifford John & Kay Lynn Goldner David & Whiteney Goldner Patrick & Elizabeth Gomez Jeff & Judy Greenwald Cindy Hadsell Terry & Judy Haney Andy & Kim Hawekotte Delynn & Esther Hay Julia Hebenstreit David & Melanie Hecker
Individual Donors (con’t)
Lee Heithoff Jason & Sarah Helvey Richard & Ruth Henrichs Daniella Hernandez Rosalee Higgs Mary Ann Hoaglund Lindy Hoyer Tim Hron Liz Hruska Matthew & Mary Hunziker Westly & Sherrye Hutcherson Amy Jacobberger Jocelyn Joyce Howard & Gloria Kaslow Richard & Helen Kelley Tim & Angela Kelso Bob Kerrey Thomas & Kathleen Kiefer Melissa King Katie Kiper Susan Koesters Steve & Diane Kohler Wendy Koontz Jeffrey & Patricia Koraleski Burma Kroger Michael Kulas Michael & Carol Lehan Kristen Lembke Denise Leonard Shayla Liebentritt Ge Lin John & Mary Beth Lindsay Bruce & Charolette Lobaugh Joseph & Michelle Loudon Ashley Lugo Walter & Frances Mailand Brian & Kathleen Mallatt Dr. Martin & Lorraine Mancuso
Donors Matt & Aubrey Mancuso Robert & Therese Matthews Diane Mattern Kenneth McCartney Suzanne McNamara Stephen & Susan McWilliams Ray Meints & Mary Fraser Meints Senator Heath & Catherine Mello Lloyd & Charlene Meyer Lloyd & Charlene Meyer Steve & Emily Mitchell Kathryn & Allen Moore Craig & Kathy Moore John & Karen Morey Mitch & Samantha Mosser Eric & Therese Nelson Dave & Theresa Newell Murray & Sharee Newman Senator Jeremy & Shannon Nordquist Deborah Olson Robert Patterson Victor & Diane Pearson Jennifer Peter Amy Peters Kerri Peterson Ronald & Helen Raikes William Randby & Julie Cornell Kori Reed Jane Renner Hood Robert & Jennifer Richardson Kian Roblin Karen Rolf Carolyn Rooker Nicole Rossitto Kirby & Colleen Roth Thomas & Melissa Ruff
Richard & Carol Russell Deb Scherer Shirley Schirmer John & Dianne Scott Sherif Sedky Tiffany Seibert Lyle & Jacqueline Simmons Wayne Simpson & Anne Sherer-Simpson Suzanne Singer Jennifer Skala Andrea Skolkin Kevin & Kirsten Sladovnik Theresa Smith Jim & Ruth Smith Theresa Smith Thomas & Beverly Sonntag Dorothy Spizman Thomas& Denese Stalnaker Roxanne Stanard Earl & Pamela Steinbach Dorothy Stoll Sandra Stuckey James & Deborah Suttle Nicholas Swiercek Erika Teutsch Stanley & Teri Teutsch David & Karol Theophilus Kim Thomas Melissa Tibbits Emily Tonniges Dr. Tom & Jane Tonniges Christopher Tonniges Robert & Katherine Townsend Brandi Tumbleson Tom & Sue Twit Jody Van Laningham Tina Vasko Fiorella Vitolo Amy Walker
Joel Wallace Senator Norman & Pat Wallman Jason & Madison Warnemunde Bob Weaver Gary & Carole Webster Ruth Weiner Amy West Jill Westfall Mary Ann Wheatley Beth Wilderman James & Bonnie Williams Nancy Wilson David & Laura Wilwerding Craig Wolf Kirby & Sara Woods Roger & Kay Yarns Charlene Zabel
Donors Gifts to the Kathy Bigsby Moore Legacy Fund Keith & Paula Allen Jason Ames Jerry & Karen Authier Barbara Beck Frederick & Sally Bekins Drs. Bob & Stacie Bleicher Dennis & Amy Boesen Craig & Kathleen Brehm ConAgra Foods Steven & Beverly Curry Leon & Janelle Davis Judy Dierkhising Jeff Drelicharz Don & Janice Flegle Judge Lawrence Gendler
David & Whitney Goldner Lindy Hoyer Deb Janzen Burma Kroger Michael & Carol Lehan Shayla Liebentritt Ray Meints & Mary Fraser Meints Lloyd & Charlene Meyer Steve & Emily Mitchell Craig & Kathy Moore John & Karen Morey Murray & Sharee Newman Kori Reed Robert & Jennifer
Richardson Richard & Carol Russell Senator Jim & Ruth Smith Richard & Jonell Tempero Lawrence & Jann Thomas Milton & Kathleen Zadina
7521 Main Street, Suite 103 Ralston, NE 68127 (402) 597-3100 phone (402) 597-2705 fax voices@voicesforchildren.com http://voicesforchildren.com
Telling the whole story.
Our Mission: Voices for Children in Nebraska educates and motivates Nebraskans to take action to better the lives of Nebraska’s vulnerable children in the areas of Health, Education, Safety and Economic Stability.
Board of Directors (as of December 31, 2012) David Hecker, JD President Jocelyn Joyce Vice President Delores “DJ” Clarke Secretary Steve Drucker, CPA Treasurer
Keith Allen, PhD Anne Yu Buettner, MA Judy Greenwald, MSW David A. Hecker, JD Tim Hron, MA, LIMHP Kristen Lembke, CPA Lloyd Meyer Steve Mitchell Eric Nelson, MSE
Staff (as of December 31, 2012) Carolyn D. Rooker, MSW Executive Director
Connie Hacker Accounts Manager
Rachel Boyer Special Projects Coordinator
Aubrey Mancuso, MSW Policy Coordinator Health & Economic Well-being
Melissa Breazile Research Coordinator Sarah Forrest Policy Coordinator Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice
Courtnay VanDeVelde Policy Associate Jill Westfall Communications & Operations Coordinator