Extension of child welfare pilot project advanced

A pilot project authorized as part of the Legislature’s response to the state’s troubled child welfare reform effort would be extended under a bill given first-round approval March 12.

Efforts undertaken by the 2012 Legislature to address child welfare reform included returning child welfare case management to the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) except in the eastern service area (ESA), where the department was allowed to contract for lead agency case management as a pilot project.

As introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, LB660 would require DHHS by June 30, 2014, to extend the pilot project, which is currently under contract with the Nebraska Families Collaborative (NFC). The bill also would require that the ESA pilot project be evaluated to determine whether case management should be returned to DHHS and whether private contractors should be utilized in the case management process.

Evaluation results would be reported to the Legislature, DHHS and NFC by Dec. 31, 2015.

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 34-0, would allow DHHS to extend the contract rather than require them to do so and changed the report deadline to Dec. 31, 2014. The amendment also would require that the Legislature, rather than DHHS, evaluate the ESA pilot program if it is extended.

Krist said the amendment should alleviate any concerns that the bill could be regarded as unconstitutional special legislation.

“This is about providing stability and continuity for our kids and for our families in the Eastern Service Area,” he said.

The bill advanced to select file on a 34-0 vote.