By Allison Peck
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is recognizing the relatives and trusted adults who step forward to care for children when they cannot safely remain in their parents’ care.
Gov. Jim Pillen proclaimed September as Kinship Care Month on September 1, highlighting the role grandparents, aunts and uncles, adult siblings, extended family members and other trusted adults play in providing safe and stable homes for children.
When children must be removed from a parent’s care, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services works to find an appropriate placement. When it is safe and appropriate, DHHS prioritizes placing children with relatives or other people with an established and meaningful relationship with the child.
Nebraska is ranked third nationally for prioritizing placement with relatives or kin, according to DHHS. The state says the ranking reflects its focus on keeping children connected to family, communities and relationships that can provide stability, identity and a sense of belonging.
As part of its Right Home, Right Time framework, DHHS has prioritized identifying relatives and kin who ca