A newsletter for friends of Voices for Children in Nebraska

SUMMER 2012Vol. 24, NO. 3

KIDS COUNT National Data BookBy Melissa Breazile

hild’s VIEW25 years25 years

Despite a second-place ranking in Eco-nomic 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 con-tained increases in three areas: more chil-dren living in single-parent families, chil-dren living in high-poverty areas, and teen birth rate.

The Education domain was split. There were improve-ments in children attending preschool and in fourth-grade reading proficiency, but wors-ening in eighth-grade math proficiency and in on-time graduation.

Three out of four indica-tors in the Health domain, by contrast, showed improve-ments. There were fewer children without health in-surance, a decrease in the child death rate, and fewer teens who abuse alcohol or drugs.

The risk factors high-lighted in the Data Book suggest that today’s children will have a difficult time

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 wors-ening in nine, including economic condi-tions. Two indicators remained stagnant.

“This year’s findings show that Nebras-ka kids continue to struggle with poverty, just as their parents are finding less-secure employment and dealing with high hous-ing costs,” said Carolyn Rooker, executive director of Voices for Children in Nebras-ka. “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 Ne-braska’s results as follows: • Economic Well-Being: 2nd • Education: 15th • Health: 12th • Family and Community: 15th

finding success later in life – affecting our country’s very ability to compete on a global scale, according to Patrick McCar-thy, who wrote the book’s forward.

“We are all responsible for finding so-lutions to the challenges we face,” McCar-thy said.

For complete details on Nebraska chil-dren’s well-being, please visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center at datacenter.kids count.org/NE.

2 • Summer 2012

Voices for Children in NebraskaVoices 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 DirectorsDavid A. Hecker, JD, President

Jocelyn Joyce, Vice President

Delores “DJ” Clarke, secretary

Steve Drucker, CPA, treasurer

Keith Allen, PhDAnne Yu Buettner, MAStephen D. CummingsJudy Greenwald, MSWTim Hron, MA, LIMHPDee KohlerKristen Lembke, CPA Lloyd MeyerSteve MitchellEric Nelson, MSE

StaffCarolyn 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

A member of:

Child’sVIEW Summer 2012 • VOLUME 24, NUMBER 3

is published quarterly by

Voices for Children in Nebraska7521 Main St., Ste. 103, Omaha, NE 68127

coMMunications coordinator: Jill Westfalldesign: Wayne Kobza/Pencil to Press

www.voicesforchildren.com

A Letter From Carolyn D. Rooker – Executive Director

25 Years and BeyondIn 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 hap-pen if we work alone. Victories for kids take thorough research and skilled advocacy, and a community of individuals, organiza-tions, and lawmakers working together to

effect meaningful change. If you are reading this, chanc-es are that commu-nity of advocates includes you!

In 25 years, we’ve worked with other advocates and lawmakers to score some key victories for kids. Rather than tell you all about them here, I want to direct you to page 3 for a list of those accom-plishments. Instead, 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 to-gether 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.

• We need to help families afford qual- ity child care so they can go to work and know their kids are being taken care of in a safe, nurturing, setting. El- igibility for our state’s child care as- sistance is among the lowest in the nation and the cost of child care is un- affordable for many working families.

• We have to change how we serve kids in our juvenile justice and child wel- fare 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 deten- tion centers or group homes, we need to invest in preventing abuse and ne- glect in the first place and getting fam- ilies 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 ask-ing 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!

“In 25 years, we’ve worked with other ad-vocates and lawmakers to score some key victories for kids.”

Child’s View • 3

25 Years, 25 Milestones

see page 8

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. Founding1987 – 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 Training1988 – Voices for Children hosts its first leg-islative 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 & Seek1992 – Recognizing the need for good data on child well-being, Voices for Children pro-duces “Hide & Seek,” a report that served as a foundation for the Kids Count.

4. Kids Count in Nebraska1993 – With support of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Voices for Children produces the first Kids Count in Nebraska Report.

5. Parenting Act1993 – Voices for Children develops the first version of the Nebraska Parenting Act, en-suring that the best interest of the child is the primary factor in determining child custody of divorcing parents.

6. Office of Juvenile Services1994 – Office of Juvenile Services is created to prioritize the needs of youth and direct our young people away from crime.

7. Candidate Survey1996 – 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 candi-dates about children’s issues. Voices has sur-veyed candidates every two years ever since.

8. Blueprint for Action1997 – Voices for Children organizes the first “Blueprint for Action” conference. Con-ference attendees helped develop the policy agenda for Voices for Children.

9. Adoption & Safe Families Act1998 – The Adoption & Safe Families Act passes and places children’s safety, perma-nency, and well-being at the center of child welfare decisions in Nebraska, moving fos-ter children into permanent families more quickly.

10. Kids Connection1999 – 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 out-reach and enrollment effort.

11. Domestic Violence 1999 – Voices for Children begins work with the Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition clarifying and improv-ing links between child abuse and domes-tic violence. This work includes the video “Through Trevor’s Eyes.”

12. Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act2000 – Voices for Children works with the Crime Commission to pass a bill to bring

“When it comes to kids, we make sure decision makers have credible data and analysis to make decisions critical to their well-being.”

“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.”

Spotlight GalaCelebrates 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 orga- nization. The event was held at the Em-bassy Suites-LaVista with 500 attendees and included cocktails and silent auction fol-lowed by awards and live auction.

4 • Summer 2012

Event and auction chairs Patti Koraleski, Wendy Koontz, Tessa Gifford, Emily Tonniges, Mary Hunziker.

Craig and Kathy Moore, Bob Kerrey and Deb Suttle.

Voices for Children Board of Directors - Eric Nelson, Lloyd Meyer, DJ Clarke, Steve Mitch-ell, Tim Hron, Dee Kohler, Kristen Lembke, Jocelyn Joyce, Carolyn Rooker, David Hecker.

Champion for Children Award recipient Senator Kathy Campbell is congratulated by Spotlight Gala Master of Ceremonies KETV anchor, Brandi Petersen.

Carolyn Rooker and Lifetime Achievement Recipi-ent Betty Cernech.

Child’s View • 5

Spotlight GalaCelebrates 25th Anniversary

Above, all award recipients.

Right, Mayor Jim Suttle pro-claims September 15, 2012 as Voices for Children Day in the City of Omaha (pic-tured with Carolyn Rooker and Former State Senator Deb Suttle)

6 • Summer 2012

Child’s View • 7

Individual award winner Tim Berry.

Nonprofit Organization award winner RESPECT.

Voices for Children’s staff: Rachel Boyer, Sarah Forrest, Jill Westfall, Carolyn Rooker, Courtnay VanDeVelde, Melissa Breazile and Aubrey Mancuso

Carolyn Rooker with Dr. Tom and Jane Tonniges

Project Everlast Council members celebrate their award

8 • Summer 2012

Nebraska into compliance with the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act, re-storing federal funding for juvenile justice services.

13. Gala2002 – 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 Americans2004 – Voices for Children in Nebraska partners with child advocacy organizations around the country to produce Family Eco-nomic Security for Rural Americans high-lighting rural families’ strengths and chal-lenges.

15. Home Visitation2005 – 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 fam-ilies up for greater success in the future.

16. State Earned Income Tax Credit2006 – 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 ex-penses.

17. Spare Some Change2007 – Spare Some Change: An Account of the Nebraska Juvenile Justice and Children’s Behavioral Health Care Systems summariz-es 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 Haven2008 – Nebraska’s Legislature passes a

Safe Haven bill without an upper age limit, despite years of opposition by Voices for Children to such laws. 36 children are re-linquished 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 Accounts2009 – Voices for Children brings in na-tional 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 busi-ness, pay for an education or buy a home.

21. Kids Connection Expanded2009 – Voices for Children and its advocacy partners help raise the Kids Connection eli-gibility level to 200% of the federal poverty level, giving more Nebraska children ac-cess to the medical care needed to grow up healthy and strong.

22. Asset Limits2010 – 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 advo-cate against a reduction in the payment rate to child care providers, ultimately making the reduction in payment rates temporary.

24. Founder Retires2011 – Founding executive director, Kathy Bigsby Moore, retires after 23 years at Voic-es for Children. Carolyn Rooker takes over the reins as the second executive director.

25. Prenatal Care Restored2012 – Prenatal care coverage for all low-in-come 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.

from page 3

25 Years, 25 Milestones

“Thank you to the past, current and future lawmakers who champion polocies that make Nebraska a better place for all children.”

Child’s View • 9

Voices Welcomes New Staff

Courtnay VanDeVelde is a year-long full-time volunteer with Luther-an Volunteer Corps (LVC). Prior to joining LVC and moving to Omaha, she worked at Partners in Excellence Autism Therapy Center as a Behav-ioral 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 Min-nesota State University, Mankato and majored in Psychology and Women’s Studies.

Issue Brief:

Children’s Behavioral HealthBy Courtnay VanDeVelde and Aubrey Mancuso

Panel members, from left, Gloria Gonzalez-Kruger, Sheila St. Amant, Dr. James Holt and Dr. Judy Matthews.

Courtnay VanDeVelde

The concept of Behavioral Health inter-sects 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, cre-ated 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: inno-vations in children’s behavioral healthcare, behavioral health in pediatric practice, is-sues 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 behav-ioral 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 Ale-gent Health – Immanuel Psychiatric Asso-ciates; Dr. James Holt, African American

in mental health private practice; Dr. Judy Mathews, Psychology Department at Munroe-Meyer 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 ill-nesses and the role that poverty plays.

Dr. Judy Mathews highlighted that train-ing 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/.

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

nonProfit org

us Postage

PaidoMaha, ne

PerMit no. 752

Voices for Children in Nebraska7521 Main St., Ste. 103Omaha, NE 68127

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

iN thiS iSSueu KIDS COUNT National Data Book

u Letter From the Executive Director

u 25 Years, 25 Milestones

u Spotlight Gala Celebrates 25th Anniversary

u Issue Brief: Children’s Behavioral Health

u Voices Welcomes New Staff

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.

Save the Date!Kids Count in Nebraska

Report Release

January 23, 2013