s ear y 25
hild’s VIEW
SUMMER 2012 Vol. 24, NO. 3
A newsletter for friends of Voices for Children in Nebraska
KIDS COUNT National Data Book By Melissa Breazile
Nebraska once again stacked up well nationally in overall child wellbeing, earning a ninth-place ranking for the third year in a row, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2012 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The high ranking did not reflect losses Nebraska children have experienced in previous years, however. The report noted improvements in five indicators but worsening in nine, including economic conditions. Two indicators remained stagnant. “This year’s findings show that Nebraska kids continue to struggle with poverty, just as their parents are finding less-secure employment and dealing with high housing costs,” said Carolyn Rooker, executive director of Voices for Children in Nebraska. “We know that economic challenges in early childhood can have a big impact on success later in life.” In a departure from previous KIDS COUNT Data Books, this year’s report subdivided its rankings into four domains: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family and Community. Each state then received a ranking in each, with Nebraska’s results as follows: • Economic Well-Being: 2nd • Education: 15th • Health: 12th
• Family and Community: 15th
Despite a second-place ranking in Economic Well-Being, Nebraska experienced increases in child poverty, children with parents who lack secure employment, and children living in households with a high housing cost burden. The Family and Community domain, in which Nebraska ranked 15th, also contained increases in three areas: more children living in single-parent families, children living in high-poverty areas, and teen birth rate. The Education domain was split. There were improvements in children attending preschool and in fourth-grade reading proficiency, but worsening in eighth-grade math proficiency and in on-time graduation. Three out of four indicators in the Health domain, by contrast, showed improvements. There were fewer children without health insurance, a decrease in the child death rate, and fewer teens who abuse alcohol or drugs. The risk factors highlighted in the Data Book suggest that today’s children will have a difficult time
finding success later in life – affecting our country’s very ability to compete on a global scale, according to Patrick McCarthy, who wrote the book’s forward. “We are all responsible for finding solutions to the challenges we face,” McCarthy said. For complete details on Nebraska children’s well-being, please visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.kids count.org/NE.
Voices for Children in Nebraska
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 David A. Hecker, JD, President Jocelyn Joyce, Vice President Delores “DJ” Clarke, Secretary Steve Drucker, CPA, Treasurer Keith Allen, PhD Anne Yu Buettner, MA Stephen D. Cummings Judy Greenwald, MSW Tim Hron, MA, LIMHP Dee Kohler Kristen Lembke, CPA Lloyd Meyer Steve Mitchell Eric Nelson, MSE
Staff Carolyn D. Rooker, MSW, Executive Director
Rachel Boyer, Executive Assistant & Special Projects Coordinator
Melissa Breazile, Research Coordinator Sarah Forrest, Policy Coordinator – Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
Connie Hacker, Accounts Manager Aubrey Mancuso, Policy Coordinator – Economic Stability and Health
Courtnay VanDeVelde, Policy Associate Jill Westfall, Communications & Operations Coordinator
Child’sVIEW Summer 2012 • VOLUME 24, NUMBER 3 is published quarterly by
Voices for Children in Nebraska 7521 Main St., Ste. 103, Omaha, NE 68127 communications coordinator: design:
Jill Westfall Wayne Kobza/Pencil to Press
www.voicesforchildren.com A member of:
2 • Summer 2012
A Letter From Carolyn D. Rooker – Executive Director
25 Years and Beyond In our 25 years as an organization, Voices for Children in Nebraska has learned a few things about advocating for children. We know that policy victories for kids do not just happen by accident and they do not happen if we work alone. Victories for kids take thorough research and skilled advocacy, and a community of individuals, organizations, and lawmakers working together to effect meaningful change. If you are reading this, chances are that community of advocates includes you! In 25 years, we’ve worked with other advocates and lawmakers to score “In 25 years, we’ve worked some key victories for kids. Rather with other ad- than tell you all vocates and about them here, I want to direct you lawmakers to score some key to page 3 for a list of those accomvictories for plishments. Instead, kids.” I want to use this space to talk about what the next 25 years will look like. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of Nebraska do we want to build for the next generation? Since we base everything we do on data and best practice, I have a few statistics to share about how we’re coming up short for kids. Here is what we propose we change together in the coming years: • We want to expand access to health care for kids – about 1 in 10 Nebraska kids are uninsured. If all of our un insured kids lived in one place, it would be Nebraska’s fourth largest city. • We need to expand access to behav ioral health services for kids. Past policies have created a front door to
services, but we still need to build the rest of the system. •
We need to change the rising poverty rate for kids. Almost 1 in 5 Nebraska kids grows up in poverty. That would be enough to fill Memorial Stadium on game day.
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We need to help families afford quality child care so they can go to work and know their kids are being taken care of in a safe, nurturing, setting. Eligibility for our state’s child care assistance is among the lowest in the nation and the cost of child care is unaffordable for many working families.
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We have to change how we serve kids in our juvenile justice and child welfare system. As a state, we remove kids from their homes at the second highest rate in the country. Instead of spending so many resources on detention centers or group homes, we need to invest in preventing abuse and neglect in the first place and getting families the resources they need to keep their children safe.
We can turn these dismal statistics around if we come together as a community to score some key victories for kids. But we have to do it together if we are going to stand any chance at being successful. I invite you, your organizations and businesses, your friends, your neighbors, to join us in continually asking the question – “At the end of the day, is this policy good for kids?” and speaking up on behalf of Nebraska’s kids. Together, we will continue to tell the whole story, identify and change the odds that are stacked against so many of our children. With you we can make a difference in the lives of the next generation of Nebraska’s kids!
25 Years, 25 Milestones Voices for Children has shaped our state and our policies by serving as a constant voice for the needs of children where decisions that affect them are made for 25 years. Our commitment is to telling the whole story of Nebraska’s children. When it comes to kids, we make sure decision makers have credible data and analysis to make decisions critical to their well-being. Our work does not happen in isolation. In the following pages of accomplishments and milestones, it is important to acknowledge that our victories for kids are the result of years of work – both by Voices for Children in Nebraska and the community of advocates and organizations. Thank you to the past, current and future lawmakers who champion policies that make Nebraska a better place for all children. 1. Founding 1987 – Voices for Children in Nebraska is founded by Kathy Bigsby Moore. Kathy and her husband Craig were foster parents who saw first hand the issues the children in their care faced. The rest is history... 2. Legislative Training 1988 – Voices for Children hosts its first legislative advocacy training conference. We help everyday Nebraskans be advocates for children by giving them the tools they need to speak out for kids. 3. Hide & Seek 1992 – Recognizing the need for good data on child well-being, Voices for Children produces “Hide & Seek,” a report that served as a foundation for the Kids Count. 4. Kids Count in Nebraska 1993 – With support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Voices for Children produces the first Kids Count in Nebraska Report. 5. Parenting Act 1993 – Voices for Children develops the first version of the Nebraska Parenting Act, ensuring that the best interest of the child is the primary factor in determining child custody of divorcing parents. 6. Office of Juvenile Services 1994 – Office of Juvenile Services is created to prioritize the needs of youth and direct our young people away from crime. 7. Candidate Survey 1996 – Voices for Children conducts its first survey of Candidates for the Legislature.
This survey gives advocates a chance to get to know candidates and helps educate candidates about children’s issues. Voices has surveyed candidates every two years ever since. 8. Blueprint for Action 1997 – Voices for Children organizes the first “Blueprint for Action” conference. Conference attendees helped develop the policy agenda for Voices for Children.
“When it comes to kids, we make sure decision makers have credible data and analysis to make decisions critical to their wellbeing.”
9. Adoption & Safe Families Act 1998 – The Adoption & Safe Families Act passes and places children’s safety, permanency, and well-being at the center of child welfare decisions in Nebraska, moving foster children into permanent families more quickly. 10. Kids Connection 1999 – Years of advocacy pay off and Kids Connection, Nebraska’s health care program for low-income children, is enacted into law. Voices for Children begins a multi-year outreach and enrollment effort. 11. Domestic Violence 1999 – Voices for Children begins work with the Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition clarifying and improving links between child abuse and domestic violence. This work includes the video “Through Trevor’s Eyes.” 12. Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act 2000 – Voices for Children works with the Crime Commission to pass a bill to bring see page 8
Child’s View • 3
Spotlight Gala Celebrates 25th Anniversary Voices for Children in Nebraska celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the Spotlight Gala on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The Spotlight Gala raised over $150,000 for the organization. The event was held at the Embassy Suites-LaVista with 500 attendees and included cocktails and silent auction followed by awards and live auction. “Spiral Centerpieces with mosaic bases were created by students and spirals by artist Diane Mattern. Students arranged the broken glass on the bases of these spirals to make each a one-of-a-kind creation. Children are the foundation of our future and we want to make sure they have the tools they need to grow up to be healthy and successful adults. The silver spirals symbolize a look up toward the future – another 25 years of Voices for Children’s advocacy and a brighter future for Nebraska’s children.”
4 • Summer 2012
Event and auction chairs Patti Koraleski, Wendy Koontz, Tessa Gifford, Emily Tonniges, Mary Hunziker.
Champion for Children Award recipient Senator Kathy Campbell is congratulated by Spotlight Gala Master of Ceremonies KETV anchor, Brandi Petersen.
Craig and Kathy Moore, Bob Kerrey and Deb Suttle.
Voices for Children Board of Directors - Eric Nelson, Lloyd Meyer, DJ Clarke, Steve Mitchell, Tim Hron, Dee Kohler, Kristen Lembke, Jocelyn Joyce, Carolyn Rooker, David Hecker.
Carolyn Rooker and Lifetime Achievement Recipient Betty Cernech.
Child’s View • 5
Spotlight Gala Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Above, all award recipients. Right, Mayor Jim Suttle proclaims September 15, 2012 as Voices for Children Day in the City of Omaha (pictured with Carolyn Rooker and Former State Senator Deb Suttle)
6 • Summer 2012
Voices for Children’s staff: Rachel Boyer, Sarah Forrest, Jill Westfall, Carolyn Rooker, Courtnay VanDeVelde, Melissa Breazile and Aubrey Mancuso
Individual award winner Tim Berry.
Project Everlast Council members celebrate their award
Nonprofit Organization award winner RESPECT.
Carolyn Rooker with Dr. Tom and Jane Tonniges
Child’s View • 7
25 Years, 25 Milestones from page 3
Nebraska into compliance with the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act, restoring federal funding for juvenile justice services.
“Thank you to the past, current and future lawmakers who champion polocies that make Nebraska a better place for all children.”
13. Gala 2002 – Voices for Children in Nebraska hosts its first Gala event to celebrate 15 years of “smooth sailing” as an organization. The Gala theme has evolved since 2002. Past themes include “Spirit of the Jester,” “A Work of Heart” and today’s “Spotlight Gala.” 14. Family Economic Security for Rural Americans 2004 – Voices for Children in Nebraska partners with child advocacy organizations around the country to produce Family Economic Security for Rural Americans highlighting rural families’ strengths and challenges. 15. Home Visitation 2005 – Voices for Children helps pass a bill recommending and funding a home-based visitation program to help prevent child abuse and neglect. By helping new parents learn how to care for their child, we set families up for greater success in the future. 16. State Earned Income Tax Credit 2006 – Voices for Children helps pass the State Earned Income Tax Credit, the single most effective policy allowing families to move out of poverty. The EITC puts more of low-income workers paychecks back in their pockets, helping them pay for basic expenses. 17. Spare Some Change 2007 – Spare Some Change: An Account of the Nebraska Juvenile Justice and Children’s Behavioral Health Care Systems summarizes 30 years of studies on the juvenile justice and behavioral health systems. 18. School Breakfast 2007 – Voices for Children works to support the passage of a bill to ensure more stable funding for school breakfast programs and expand access to breakfast to low-income students. 19. Safe Haven 2008 – Nebraska’s Legislature passes a
8 • Summer 2012
Safe Haven bill without an upper age limit, despite years of opposition by Voices for Children to such laws. 36 children are relinquished by their parents before the law is changed to include an upper age limit. The following year, lawmakers pass LB 603 to address some of the shortcomings of the behavioral health system brought to light by Safe Haven. 20. Individual Development Accounts 2009 – Voices for Children brings in national experts on Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to leverage federal funding and start a program in Nebraska. IDAs are savings accounts that match the savings of low-income families and help start a business, pay for an education or buy a home. 21. Kids Connection Expanded 2009 – Voices for Children and its advocacy partners help raise the Kids Connection eligibility level to 200% of the federal poverty level, giving more Nebraska children access to the medical care needed to grow up healthy and strong. 22. Asset Limits 2010 – Voices for Children supports a change to the food stamp (SNAP) program that allows families to keep some savings for things like retirement and college while still getting assistance in feeding their families. 23. Child Care Subsidy 2010 – Voices for Children and others advocate against a reduction in the payment rate to child care providers, ultimately making the reduction in payment rates temporary. 24. Founder Retires 2011 – Founding executive director, Kathy Bigsby Moore, retires after 23 years at Voices for Children. Carolyn Rooker takes over the reins as the second executive director. 25. Prenatal Care Restored 2012 – Prenatal care coverage for all low-income Nebraska moms was restored through the Medicaid program. Regular prenatal care helps give babies the healthiest possible start in life. For more on our accomplishments, check out the 25 for 25 series on our website: http:// voicesforchildren.com/25.
Issue Brief:
Children’s Behavioral Health By Courtnay VanDeVelde and Aubrey Mancuso The concept of Behavioral Health intersects with many areas of life, particularly for children. In order to raise awareness about the many issues in children’s behavioral health, Policy Associate Caitlin Pardue, created an Issue Brief which was released at a panel event in July. The brief contains short examinations of issues related to treating and preventing behavioral health problems in children. The brief’s topics include: innovations in children’s behavioral healthcare, behavioral health in pediatric practice, issues in out-of-home care, early childhood, rural behavioral health, racial and ethnic health disparities, and a vision for an ideal behavioral health system. Voices for Children hosted a panel event to release the issue brief and discuss how racial and ethnic health disparities impact access to services and treatment of behavioral health issues for children. Members of the panel included: Gloria Gonzalez-Kruger, Behavioral Health Director at One World Community Health Centers; Sheila St. Amant, Mental Health Therapist with Alegent Health – Immanuel Psychiatric Associates; Dr. James Holt, African American
in mental health private practice; Dr. Judy Mathews, Psychology Department at MunroeMeyer Institute. The panel discussion focused on the importance of cultural competency in therapeutic relationships as well as access to quality care, the misdiagnosis of mental illnesses and the role that poverty plays. Dr. Judy Mathews highlighted that training for most Mental Health Therapists is based on a European cultural model and that is one of the initial issues in recognizing that we need an integrated behavioral healthcare plan to eliminate such barriers. Dr. James Holt suggests that therapist also look at the mental and physical aspects of clients to avoid circumstances like hunger and sleep deprivation being misdiagnosed as ADD/ ADHD. The panelists also recommended that individuals in the helping profession should conduct self-inventory to ensure that goals for clients are consistent with family needs and not based on the professional’s own values and culture. To download a copy of the issue brief or to listen to a recording of the panel, please view our website at http://voicesforchildren. com/2012/07/behavioral-health-issue-brief/.
Courtnay VanDeVelde
Voices Welcomes New Staff Courtnay VanDeVelde is a yearlong full-time volunteer with Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC). Prior to joining LVC and moving to Omaha, she worked at Partners in Excellence Autism Therapy Center as a Behavioral Therapist, providing one-on-one direct care for children on the Autism spectrum. In addition to her interests in behavioral health care, Courtnay traveled to Tanzania in 2011 and found a passion for advocating for vulnerable children here and around the world. Courtnay attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and majored in Psychology and Women’s Studies.
Panel members, from left, Gloria Gonzalez-Kruger, Sheila St. Amant, Dr. James Holt and Dr. Judy Matthews.
Child’s View • 9
Save the Date! Kids Count in Nebraska Report Release January 23, 2013
This year we are celebrating 20 years of trustworthy data reporting on Nebraska’s children with a more visually-oriented report with shorter bites of information – think bullet points, charts, and infographics – to make it easier to find the data advocates and policy makers need. This year’s commentary focuses on child welfare. We’re looking at who the children are in the system, where in the system they find themselves, and how they move in and out of state care. Mark your calendars and watch for details about the upcoming report release.
in this issue
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US Postage
u KIDS COUNT National Data Book u Letter From the Executive Director u 25 Years, 25 Milestones u Spotlight Gala Celebrates 25th Anniversary
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Voices for Children in Nebraska 7521 Main St., Ste. 103 Omaha, NE 68127 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
u Issue Brief: Children’s Behavioral Health u Voices Welcomes New Staff
Save The Date! Juvenile Justice Summit Thursday, December 6, 2012 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Holiday Inn – Downtown Lincoln For more information or to register visit: http://voicesforchildren.com/jjsummit