Under the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Fostering Connections), states have the opportunity to claim federal matching funds for the costs of extending foster care services to eligible youth up to the age of 21. Several local organization have been exploring the possibility of adding Nebraska to the growing list of over a dozen other states who have taken advantage of this opportunity. In March 2012, Senator Amanda McGill introduced an interim study, LR 537, with the purpose of further exploring the challenges facing youth who age out of foster care. This survey is being distributed as a method of gaining input from stakeholders and professionals working in the field of child welfare for LR 537. A similar survey was conducted with over 100 youth this summer. Results from both the youth and stakeholder surveys will be compiled into a report with Nebraska-specific data regarding youth aging out each year and presented at the LR 537 hearing on October 25, 2012, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Nebraska State Capitol.
This 17 question survey is anonymous. It should take you 10-15 minutes to complete. Please keep in mind that there is no guarantee that this type of program will be created in Nebraska anytime in the near future, nor that specific program design options you may favor will become part of a program, if it is established. However, gaining input from a wide range of stakeholders is important in developing ideas and shaping services designed to improve the system for older youth. Your responses will be combined with those of other stakeholders and shared with policymakers and others who are working on designing this program.
Click below to view a one page summary of the highlights of an extended services and support to 21 program:
http://neappleseed.org/downloads560THIS SURVEY WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE PRIOR TO OCTOBER 5TH.