Thank you for visiting the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center (LRC). The resources provided on this website are intended to assist you in your juvenile court practice and encourage systemic change within Nebraska’s child welfare system. If you have not already, we encourage you to join our listserv and receive such valuable information as the regularly released Foster Care Reform Update. The LRC also provides access to sample legal documents focused on child welfare issues. We also invite you to review our resources page which includes our continuing series of policy briefs, publications highlighting child welfare issues, and other relevant resources geared toward the child welfare community.
Important Note: The mission of Nebraska Appleseed is to address policies and systemic issues facing low-income Nebraskans. Therefore, the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center is only able to provide assistance on cases that involve systemic issues in the child welfare system that are within our expertise and resources to address. For example, we are unfortunately unable to help with everyday issues and basic procedural questions. Whereas, we may be able to provide research and information related to the rights of non-English speaking families in the child welfare system.
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As one of the resources available through the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center, listserv members have access to example legal documents, including samples of motions and pleadings that can be used to raise systemic issues in child welfare cases. The Juvenile Document Bank also contains our series of Policy Briefs, which outline the statutory and case law on distinct systemic issues that arise in child welfare cases and are intended to assist practitioners in addressing these issues in their individual cases. Access to these documents is restricted to members of the Nebraska Child Welfare Listserv and requires a password. If you have questions about accessing the documents, please contact Eric Wickizer. If you have questions about the documents themselves, please contact Sarah Helvey.
The LRC offers numerous resources to assist child welfare practitioners. Our continuously expanding policy brief series is a resource that seeks to provide practical information to child welfare attorneys on issues that may arise in their practices. We also invite you to review our publications section which includes articles authored by Nebraska Appleseed and others, juvenile law presentations, and other resources including links to local and national resources regarding child welfare matters.
The purpose of the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center Listserv is to provide a forum for information and dialogue among attorneys to influence legal precedent in the juvenile courts in a positive way. Listserv members also receive a regular electronic newsletter, the "Foster Care Reform Update," which includes child welfare case law summaries, legislative developments, and a "policy spotlight" on an issue affecting Nebraska juvenile court practice.
Note: Due to the confidential nature of legal discussions, the listserv is restricted to guardians ad litem and counsel representing biological or foster parents only.
Subscribe to the Foster Care Reform Legal Resource Center Listserv
Safe Haven Testimony
"How to Change the Child Welfare World" - Powerpoint Presentation 
KVC to become lead foster agency at end of the month
Sarah Helvey