Voices for Children in Nebraska

Kathy Moore — Coordinator

Voices for Children in Nebraska is a statewide, independent, nonprofit child advocacy organization committed to giving children a voice in Nebraska through advocacy, research and education of the public about children's needs. Presbyterian Church of the Cross supports this program with volunteers on the fund raising planning team and a member on the Board of Directors. Contact the coordinator for more information about how to volunteer.

Voices for Children in Nebraska has:

• helped create and pass the 2006 Earned Income Tax Credit in Nebraska which is the single most effective policy that allows low income children and families to move out of poverty.
  
• ensured since 1999 the effective implementation of Kids Connection, which makes it possible for thousands of children living in poverty to have health care.
• established the Nebraska Parenting Act which provides education for divorcing parents to help minimize the negative effects of divorce on children.
• collaborated with legislative, legal, and social service leaders to establish policy to limit the time a child can languish in foster care.
• produced the annual Kids Count Report which is recognized as the source of data, policy and impact information for state and local leaders on child well-being in Nebraska.
• developed a widely distributed video, "Through Trevor's Eyes", to help all professionals understand the effects of children witnessing domestic violence.
• increased awareness about dangerous and inadequate juvenile services in Nebraska and lobby for the creation of an Office of Juvenile Services for compliance with the Delinquency Prevention Act, and for jail standards for detention facilities, directly improving juvenile services in Nebraska.