Child Welfare System – Nebraska

Privatizing child welfare near, By Martha Stoddard, October 26, 2010, Omaha World-Herald: “Department of Health and Human Services officials hope to take a first step this week in replacing child welfare workers with private contractors. Agency spokeswoman Kathie Osterman said Monday that the agency’s staff is working on documents justifying the change. The documents are expected to be submitted to the Department of Administrative Services for approval ‘within the week,” she said. The justification is required by a 1995 state law. But some legislators are questioning the agency’s plans and its timeline. State Sen. Gwen Howard of Omaha, a former state caseworker, said she is concerned that the change is being rushed through without legislative oversight. She said numerous questions need to be answered in light of the problems experienced already in the move toward privatizing care of state wards…”