Nebraska State Contract Services: Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
Children in Nebraska’s child welfare and office of juvenile services systems began to transition into KVC care Nov. 1, 2009, after several months of meetings and negotiations between KVC and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). KVC was awarded contracts to serve the Eastern and Southeastern Service Areas of the state. KVC now serves 19 counties in southeast and eastern Nebraska and has offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Beatrice, Seward and Nebraska City.
As a component of the contract, KVC must accept and serve all children, youth and families referred by DHHS. This is known as a no-reject, no-eject contract. Children and families who are served through this contract may be court involved or non-court involved. Children, youth and families will be served unconditionally regardless of a child or family’s diagnosis, history, presenting problems, family composition or behaviors.
State contract services in child welfare system are a step in an ongoing effort by Nebraska to improve services to children and families. Our responsibilities through these contracts include safety, in-home treatment and out-of-home services, with an emphasis on serving more children and youth safely in their own homes. To view the reform progress, you can download the DHHS Pathyways to Progress: Data at a Glance report.