Publications of the Center on Children, Families, and the Law (and related organizations)

National Protocol for Medical Evaluation of Children Found in Drug Labs

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:27 PDT

Contents:
Immediate Steps On-Site
Within 72 hours
Follow Up
Personnel Decontamination
Emergency Activation
Law Enforcement
Child Protective Services
Medical Personnel
Emergency Department

Child Care Characteristics and Quality in Nebraska

Carolyn P. Edwards et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:27 PDT

The Midwest Child Care Research Consortium conducted a study of child care quality and characteristics of the child care work force in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri to help states establish a baseline for tracking quality over time, following initiatives, policy and other changes. The measures are not based on Nebraska child care licensing standards. Rather, using research-based measures of quality, they assess the extent to which quality indicators are present among the child care settings and in the work force. The current study included a random telephone survey of 2022 Midwestern child care providers (508 from Nebraska), conducted during late spring and summer of 2001 by the Gallup Organization, and follow-up in-depth observations of 365 providers (85 from Nebraska), conducted by four Midwestern state universities. Key findings from the study are as follows:

1. In Nebraska, as is true across the Midwestern states, a majority of providers regard child care as their profession, have been providing child care for over five years and intend to stay in the field. This is despite low, fulltime earnings (averaging $14,700 a year in Nebraska), which, for many providers, is below poverty level.

2. Using well-respected measures of quality, the researchers found that child care quality in Nebraska is comparable to that of Midwestern neighbors Missouri and Kansas and to child care nationwide; 34% of care observed was “good” quality; 48% was rated as minimal or mediocre quality and 18% was rated poor quality. Center-based infant/toddler, center-based preschool and licensed family child care were comparable to one another in quality and to similar care of Midwestern neighbors, while license exempt (approved) care averaged lower quality than other types of care in Nebraska. Other studies have shown that good quality on the measure used in the Midwest study predicts positive school readiness outcomes for children, and poor quality predicts poorer outcomes for children, especially for children in poverty.

3. A number of training, education, accreditation and workplace efforts were associated with higher quality including: Heads Up! Reading (in Nebraska preschool center-based settings); employee benefits such as health care (in center-based settings); the Child Development Associate Credential; participating in the USDA Food Program; first aid training; higher levels of education; entering into partnership with a Head Start or Early Head Start program; completing a nationally recognized accreditation in early childhood education; following a curriculum; and completing more than 24 hours of training in the previous year. Nebraska led the Midwest in the percentage of providers who had completed CPR and first aid training. 4. The study identified ways that Nebraska can improve child care quality.

Two of these are to improve pre-literacy environments and to provide incentives to improve quality to providers who serve children receiving child care subsidies. First, Nebraska child care was deficient in preliteracy environments. Following the current national emphasis on preliteracy skills (reading to children, helping them understand and appreciate print media, and encouraging expression), pre-literacy environments are likely to be emphasized in upcoming child care block grant and Head Start reauthorizations in 2003. Few infant/toddler providers were observed reading to children; many family home providers lacked materials to encourage verbal expression. While preschool center-based providers had more books available, many scored only at a minimal level in pre-literacy activities. Second, among providers caring for children receiving subsidies, in some sectors the quality was lower when providers cared for larger portions of children receiving child care subsidies. Incentives for quality among family providers caring for children receiving subsidies are recommended to ensure that low-income children receive quality care.

Nebraska and its neighbors in the Region VII of U.S. DHHS are among the first states in the nation to assess child care quality on a statewide and region wide basis. These baseline data will permit examination of changes over time in quality; for example, as a result of the new Nebraska TEACH program and other new and continuing initiatives.

Policy Brief: Compensation of Early Childhood Teachers: What Value do we Place on Young Children?

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:26 PDT

In 2001, university researchers and state program partners in four states (Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska) initiated the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium (MCCRC). The focus of the Consortium’s work is to conduct a longitudinal study on a range of issues associated with early childhood program quality and the workforce. Across the four states, a random sample of 2,022 child care providers participated in the study representing licensed infant, toddler, and preschool centers as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs, license-exempt centers, and licensed and unlicensed family child care homes. In Nebraska, 508 providers participated in telephone interviews and 85 of those programs were randomly selected for an observational quality assessment. The purpose of this policy brief is to present findings relating to child care provider compensation and benefits in Nebraska and the relation of these to quality.

Nebraska Revised Statutes: Selected Provisions Pertaining to Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice, 2007 Edition

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:25 PDT

Table of Contents:

I. Duty and Power of DHHS Regarding the Protection of Children

II. General Social Services Provisions

III. Family Policy Act

IV. Child Abuse Mandatory Reporting Provisions

V. Central Register of Child Protection Cases and Child Fatality Information

VI. Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation and Treatment Teams

VII. Access to Information and Records

VIII. Nebraska Juvenile Code

IX. Foster Care

X. Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act

XI. The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children

XII. The Interstate Compact on Juveniles

XIII. Court Appointed Special Advocate Act

XIV. Juvenile Services Provisions:
A. Office of Juvenile Services [Health and Human Services, Office of Juvenile Services Act]
B. Juvenile Services Act
C. Nebraska County Juvenile Services Plan Act

XV. Assistance and Services for Delinquent, Dependent, and Medically Handicapped Children

XVI. Miscellaneous Provisions Regarding Children Committed to DHHS and the Placement of Children

XVII. Child Support and Paternity

XVIII. Grandparent Visitation

XIX. Guardianship of Minors

XX. Adoption of Children

XXI. Adoption-related Provisions:
A. Exchange of Information Contracts
B. Communication or Contact Agreements

XXII. Selected Criminal and Miscellaneous Provisions:
A. Criminal Sexual Assault
B. Methamphetamine
C. Criminal Offenses Involving the Family Relation
D. Classification of Criminal Penalties
E. Statute of Limitations for Criminal Offenses
F. Justifiable Use of Force
G. Definition of Detention Facilities
H. Request for Transfer of Criminal Case to Juvenile Court

XXIII. Foreign National Minors

XXIV. Compulsory Education

XXV. Children’s Behavioral Health Task Force

Policy Brief - Infant Care in Nebraska: Characteristics of Providers, Quality of Care, and Parent Perceptions

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:25 PDT

In 2001, university researchers and state program partners in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska initiated the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium. A random sample of 2,022 child care providers from all four states participated in the study representing licensed infant, toddler, and preschool centers and including Head Start and Early Head Start programs, license-exempt centers, and licensed and unlicensed family child care homes. In Nebraska, 508 providers participated in telephone interviews and 85 of those programs were randomly selected for an observational quality assessment. This report summarizes the survey responses of 236 Nebraska professionals providing care for infants and toddlers, observations of care in infant-toddler center based programs and family child care homes, and 478 surveys of parents of infants (393 in center-based care, and 167 in family child care homes).

Methamphetamine Addiction, Treatment, and Outcomes: Implications for Child Welfare Workers

Cathleen Otero et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:24 PDT

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant associated with serious health and psychiatric conditions, including heart damage and brain damage, impaired thinking and memory problems, aggression, violence, and psychotic behavior. Methamphetamine is also associated with the transmission of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

Child welfare workers are seeing growing numbers of children and families affected by the parent’s use of methamphetamine. In order to make sound decisions for the benefit of children and families, child welfare workers need accurate information about methamphetamine, its effects on parents and their children, and the effectiveness of treatment. This paper presents the most current research in these areas, and offers recommendations for child welfare workers to help them identify and assist children and families affected by a parent’s use of methamphetamine.

Parent Perceptions of Child Care Choice and Quality in Four States

Helen Raikes et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:23 PDT

The purpose of the Year 2 Studies of the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium was to assess parent perceptions of child care choices and quality across four states. The states studied — Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska — comprise U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region 7. The current study was conducted by asking 1,325 parents to complete a paper and pencil survey. The parents all had children receiving child care from providers who participated in an earlier telephone survey of 2,022 providers and in observations of 365 providers. Results from that study are reported elsewhere1. Providers in the original study were selected at random from state lists of licensed and subsidy-receiving providers stratified for state, subsidy, and type of care (infant-toddler center-based, preschool center-based, licensed family child care, registered family child care, license-exempt home providers, and a few state-specific categories). In the current parent study, all the parents completed questionnaires and mailed their confidential responses to The Gallup Organization.

Child Care Quality and Workforce Characteristics in Four Midwestern States

Helen Raikes et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:22 PDT

The purpose of the Year 1 Studies of the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium was to describe hypothesized and potential indicators of quality, to measure observed quality, and to conduct preliminary analyses to determine relationships between the hypothesized and potential indicators and observations of quality, using a representative, randomly selected sample of the provider population. The states studied—Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska—comprise U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region VII. Following an examination of the child care policy context in the four states, a telephone survey of 2,022 child care providers, and observations of 365 providers, were completed during late spring and summer of 2001. Participants were selected at random from state lists of licensed and subsidy-receiving providers following a complex stratification plan that sampled for state, subsidy, and type of care (infant-toddler center-based, preschool center-based, licensed family child care, registered family child care, and license-exempt home providers and a few state-specific categories). Respondents were also classified according to whether they were Early Head Start/Head Start child care partners. Respondents were queried about hypothesized correlates of quality and other provider characteristics. The survey provided a comprehensive description of child care providers in the Midwest and a comprehensive description of potential indicators of child care quality. In some cases, there were differences in provider characteristics or observed quality by state, subsidy receipt, type of care, or Early Head Start/Head Start partnership. A number of provider characteristics that associate with quality were identified. Some were as hypothesized, but other provider characteristics were also important correlates of quality. In subsequent reports, predictors of quality will be identified.

Mental and Physical Conditions Encountered in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice, 2007 Edition

Gregg Wright et al. — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:21 PDT

Any grouping of mental and physical conditions risks overemphasizing or mischaracterizing distinctions between mind and body, between thought and emotion, between environment and heredity, even between causes and symptoms. For convenience, and to reflect common usage, we have chosen to group chapters in this book under five headings: Physical Problems, Cognitive Problems, Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Assessments, and Therapies.

Children at Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs: Helping Meth’s Youngest Victims

Karen Swetlow — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:35:21 PDT

Contents:

Message from the Director
What Is Methamphetamine?
Meth Production Site: Not Really a Laboratory
Methamphetamine Trends in the United States
Dangers to Children Living at Meth Labs
Children Involved in Methamphetamine Lab-Related Incidents in the United States
Children Found in Meth Lab Homes
Multidisciplinary Teams: Elements of Success
Promising Practices in the Field
Conclusion

Nebraska Child Care Workforce and Quality: Summary Policy Brief #7

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:47:32 PST

The study showed the average child care provider in Nebraska is female, married and a parent. This provider had some training or education beyond high school but not an advanced degree, was active in child care training, had a First Aid/CPR certificate, considered child care her profession or calling, had been in the child care field for over 5 years and planned to remain a provider.

The average provider was observed to provide minimal quality child care. In Nebraska, using well-established observational measures of quality, center-based preschool care averaged 4.16 on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R); 4.49 on the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS); and family child care averaged 4.46 on the Family Day Care Rating Scale (FDCRS). A “5” is considered “good” quality. There was great variability across all types of care.

· Family child care quality was higher in Nebraska and Missouri than in Iowa and Kansas.

· In center-based care, there were no differences between providers who cared for children receiving government child care subsidies and those who did not but in family child care there were differences. Quality, training, education and professionally-oriented attitudes were lower among subsidy-receiving family child care providers than for non-subsidy receiving counterparts.

· Providers in Early Head Start/Head Start partnerships offered higher quality care and received more training than other child care providers. Nebraska like two other states invested training funds to enable Early Head Start/Head Start programs to partner with programs to follow the Head Start Performance Standards and these partnerships did appear to result in higher quality than average.

Children Exposed to Methamphetamine Laboratories – Flowsheet Side 1, Version 4.0

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:47:00 PST

The CHEM-L Protocol provides guidance for the following personnel to guide action before, during, and after a child is found in association with a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Nebraska.

Nebraska CHEM-L Protocol

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:46:29 PST

Contents:
Objectives
Roles of Personnel at the Scene
Procedures at the Scene
Interviewing Children
Initial Urgent Medical Assessment
Foster Parent Information
Comprehensive Health Assessment and Follow-up
Training
Protocol Review
Protocol Dissemination

Guide for Parents: Walking Your Way Through the Nebraska Juvenile Court Child Protection Process

Jennifer Conner — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:45:58 PST

Table of Contents:
The Basics
Common Questions
Rights
Special Concerns for Parents
Services Available to You if Needed
Responsibilities
The Court Process
Detention Hearing
Adjudication Hearing
Disposition Hearing
Review Hearing
Permanency Hearing
Termination of Parental Rights
Who’s Involved
The Judge
Your Attorney
Your Caseworker
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
County Attorney
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Foster Care Review Board
Important Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers
Your Judge
Your Caseworker
Your Attorney
Your Child’s CASA Volunteer
Your Child’s GAL
Your Service Provider
Your Court Hearings
Definitions of Common Terms

Child Care Workforce and Quality -- Policy Brief: Summary Brief #5

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:25:18 PST

The study showed the average provider in the Midwest is female, married and a parent. This provider had some training or education beyond high school but not an advanced degree, was active in child care training, had a first aid/CPR certificate, considered child care her profession or calling, had been in the child care field for over 5 years and planned to remain a provider for at least 5 years.

The average provider was observed to provide minimal quality child care. Using well-established observational measures of quality, center-based preschool care averaged 4.57 on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R); 4.38 on the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS); and family child care averaged 4.14 on the Family Day Care Rating Scale (FDCRS). A “5” is considered “good” quality. There was great variability across all types of care.

· Quality in infant-toddler and family child care was lower in Iowa, a state that has fewer regulatory requirements than the other three states.

· In center-based care, there were no differences between providers who cared for children receiving government child care subsidies and those who did not but in family child care there were differences. Quality, training, education and professionally-oriented attitudes were lower among subsidy-receiving family child care providers than for non-subsidy receiving counterparts.

· Providers in Early Head Start/Head Start partnerships offered higher quality care and received more training than other child care providers. Three of the four states had invested training funds to enable Early Head Start/Head Start programs to partner with programs to follow the Head Start Performance Standards and these partnerships did appear to result in higher quality than average.

Policy Brief #6: Child Care Quality for Children with Disabilities

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:22:16 PST

Inclusion is a goal that is widely embraced for children with disabilities. The U.S. Dept. Education sets the target for 90% of children with disabilities to be enrolled in general education classes for 80% or more of school day (U.S. Department of Education, 1998). Early educators likewise support the rights of all young children to participate in a variety of natural environments within their communities. If this ambitious goal is to be met, more services must be provided in community child care. Yet quality child care choices are limited in availability, and parents of children with disabilities may have their own unique perspectives on what their children need in child care.

Policy Brief #1: Child Care Assets: What are 14 Key Assets of Child Care Providers that Support Quality?

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:13:04 PST

In 2000, university researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University, University of Kansas and the University of Missouri and state child care and early education program partners in four states (Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska) initiated the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium (MCCRC). The focus of the Consortium’s work is to conduct a multiyear study on a range of issues associated with child care quality and conditions. Across the four states, a stratified random selection of 2,022 child care providers participated in a telephone survey conducted by the Gallup Organization, representing licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes, registered child care homes, and subsidized care license exempt family and (in one state) license exempt center care. Providers responded to questions about background and practices often associated with quality. Of the providers responding to the phone survey, 365 were randomly selected for in-depth observations to assess quality, using conventional measures of child care quality (see back of this brief). This report shows the relation between observed quality and many provider characteristics and professional improvement efforts.

Policy Brief #2: Parent Perceptions of Child Care: How do Nebraska Parents Rate Their Child Care and Child Care Subsidy Options?

Kathy Thornburg et al. — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:13:04 PST

In 2000, university researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University, University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri, and state child care and early education program partners in four states (Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska) initiated the Midwest Child Care Research Consortium (MCCRC). The focus of the Consortium’s work is to conduct a multiyear study on a range of issues associated with child care quality and conditions. Across the four states, a stratified random selection of 2022 child care providers participated in a telephone survey conducted by the Gallup Organization, representing licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes, registered child care homes, and subsidized care license exempt family and (in one state) license exempt center care. Providers responded to questions about background and practices often associated with quality. Of the providers responding to the phone survey, 365 were randomly selected for in-depth observations to assess quality. In Year 2, 1325 parents (256 from Nebraska) in these centers were asked to complete a survey about their child care and 629 (166 from Nebraska) parents who used subsidies completed phone interviews about their child care.

Guide for Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers: Understanding the Nebraska Juvenile Court

Jennifer Conner — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:24:30 PST

Table of Contents:

The Basics
Common Questions
Rights
Resources
The Court Process
Detention Hearing
Adjudication Hearing
Disposition Hearing
Review Hearing
Permanency Hearing
Termination of Parental Rights
Who’s Involved
Judge
Caseworker
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)
County Attorney
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
Foster Care Review Board
Important Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers
Judge
Caseworker
Child’s CASA Volunteer
Child’s GAL
Court Hearings
Responsibilities
Definitions of Common Terms