From the Policy Desk... Sign Us Up! We'd Love to Speak to Your Group or Organization. Do you have a group that is interested in learning more about child well-being in Nebraska and ways to get involved in moving state policy forward for kids? Throughout the year, Voices for Children team members speak at events and for groups around the state, sharing data, legislative advocacy training, and opportunities for involvement in advocacy around child welfare, juvenile justice, child health, and family economic security. Last week, our Executive Director Juliet joined Special Olympics Nebraska at their annual retreat to discuss the Nebraska Unicameral and legislative advocacy. This week, our Youth and Family Engagement Coordinator Nia is joining a panel with East/West Courageous Conversations, led by Pastor Michael Williams, to discuss Creating Healthy Families. Please CONTACT US if you'd like us to come speak to your group! We'd love the opportunity to tell our story! Voices' Nungesser to Testify at State Capitol Friday Though it may seem quieter during the interim periods between legislative sessions, our policy team is hard at work sharing information with senators, preparing bills and agenda items for the coming session, and sharing insights through the interim study process. This Friday, Policy Coordinator Katie Nungesser will be at the State Capitol to testify before the Appropriations Committee on LR 167, Senator Danielle Conrad's interim study resolution to examine the long-term fiscal sustainability of and how to best direct funding toward the most effective uses of Nebraska's federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. TANF is a federal funding stream meant to support the lowest-income Nebraska children, but too much of our block grant is currently sitting in a state investment account rather than helping kids thrive. You can submit YOUR OWN COMMENT and tune in to the hearing LIVE on Friday morning at 9 a.m. Thank you to Senator Conrad for bringing LR 167, and to Chairman Robert Clements for holding the upcoming hearing! |
