Legislative oversight of child welfare reform proposed

The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony Jan. 28 on a resolution that would provide the Legislature more oversight of a reform initiative to address the growing number of Nebraska children in out-of-home placements.

In July 2009, the state Department of Health and Human Services selected six separate private agencies as lead agencies to implement the reform initiatives, which increased the responsibilities of private agencies to provide services to children and families. Currently, only two lead agencies remain under contract with HHS. Departing agencies cited significant loss of funds as they sought to carry out the terms of their contract.

The Health and Human Services Committee heard concerns in interim hearings that privatization efforts resulted in several shortcomings. According to the resolution, these include:
• failure to pay providers and foster parents fully and promptly;
• confusion about the division of responsibilities;
• lack of quality care and training;
• lack of documentation in records; and
• the absence of long-term planning to sustain the child welfare reform initiative and ensure the safety and protection of Nebraska’s children.

LR37, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, would enable the Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the process of child welfare reform. The committee would be designated to review, investigate and assess the effect of privatization efforts.

“This is the appropriate body to review the issues raised regarding public policy in this area,” Campbell said.

The child welfare system is not the sole jurisdiction of any one entity, she said. Rather, it involves all three branches of government and requires the substantial resources of government, she added.

“Communication is essential in fulfilling responsibilities to children,” Campbell said.

Julie Dake-Abel, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, testified in support of the resolution. The department’s decision to privatize some of its services has raised many questions about how those services are implemented, she said.

“We do believe that it is important to have oversight in how reform is being done,” Dake-Abel said.

Sarah Helvey, program director and staff attorney for the Child Welfare System Accountability Program, also testified in support of LR37, saying she is concerned about the structure and implementation of reform and the effect it has had during the past year.

“The Legislature has an important role to play in guiding and structuring the reform,” she said.

Karen Authier, executive director of the Nebraska Children’s Home Society, also supported the resolution. She said she was pleased that the committee would hold public hearings consulting with stakeholders.

“We serve consumers who are stakeholders and they often don’t feel they have much of a voice,” Authier said.

The committee took no immediate action on the resolution.