Alternative response, foster care transition changes approved

A bill that updates a program that provides foster care transition services and authorizes a pilot program for alternative response in certain Nebraska child welfare cases passed March 27.

LB853, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Amanda McGill, updates the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act, which is intended to ease the transition for young people aging out of the foster care system.

The bill makes a number of changes to the program, including:
• stipulating that payments made on behalf of a former state ward after the appointment of a guardian would no longer terminate on or before the individual’s 19th birthday if he or she is eligible for extended guardianship assistance;
• requiring continuation of services by the department until age 21 if a former ward is in the bridge to independence program regardless of whether he or she is regularly attending school or training programs;
• requiring the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide information on community resources if a former ward voluntarily terminates a support agreement; and
• requiring that a DHHS independence coordinator meet with former wards who are determined no longer eligible for the program.

LB853 also requires DHHS, in consultation with the Nebraska Children’s Commission, to develop an alternative response implementation pilot program. Implementation will include provision of concrete supports and voluntary services, including mental health and substance abuse services and assistance with child care, food, clothing, housing and transportation.

When the plan has been developed, DHHS will begin using alternative response in up to five project locations designated by the department. DHHS will provide a report on evaluation of the status of the pilot program by Dec. 15, 2015, and could begin using alternative response in up to five additional locations after Jan. 1, 2016, and another five after Jan. 1, 2017.

Continuation of the pilot program beyond that date will require legislative approval.

The bill also requires the same initial training for all child welfare case managers, whether employed by DHHS or an organization under contract with the department.

DHHS also will collaborate with social work programs at Nebraska public colleges and universities to establish a program to provide stipends for undergraduate and graduate students who are committed to working in the child welfare services field. The stipends will be funded with federal Title IV-E dollars.

LB853 passed on a 42-0 vote.