HHS Issues for Protection and Safety

There was a 35 percent increase in the number of children who were placed with relatives when removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect between 2003 and 2005, according to the 2005 annual report for the Office of Protection and Safety in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

"Being placed with a relative provides a child with familiarity, permanency, predictability, a sense of belonging, and roots," said Chris Peterson, acting director of HHS. "The annual report is a comprehensive look at the services received by children who are state wards and their families."

The 2005 annual report is available at www.hhss.ne.gov/jus/portrait/PS-PB-21.pdf. The report focuses on data, accomplishments and challenges in four focus areas: safety, permanency, and well-being for children who are state wards and their families, and community safety. In addition, the report incorporates information about child abuse and neglect, foster care, adoption, domestic violence, the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney and Geneva, and parole and community-based juvenile services.

The annual report features a sample of photographs of some of the more than 100 Nebraska children who are currently waiting for an adoptive home.

To view more photographs or learn more about a particular child, go to www.hhss.ne.gov/adoption/children.htm

HHS received an adoption bonus of $352,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in federal fiscal year 2005. The Adoption Incentive program provides financial incentives to states to increase adoptions of children in the foster care system. The bonus funding was used for things like training and support groups for adoptive families, and training for attorneys on filing and finalizing an adoption of a child who was an HHS ward.

"Providing for the safety, permanence and well-being of children and youth committed to the care of HHS by the juvenile courts is tremendously challenging, but one of the most rewarding jobs out there," said Todd Reckling, administrator for the HHS Office of Protection and Safety. "Our staff work incredibly hard every day to help children and families achieve better outcomes and to help them meet their needs.

HHS staff team up and collaborate with a wide variety of agency and community partners to serve children and their families. Good progress is being made on the four focus areas, and that should be reflected next year when the 2006 annual report is issued, he said.

By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services