2011 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

Telling the whole story.

As I wrap up my fi rst year as Executive Director at Voices for Children in Nebraska, I want to take a moment to refl ect on the year and all we have accomplished together on behalf of Nebraska’s children. Essential to this has been refl ecting on my personal theme for the year – preserving and honoring the legacy of founding Executive Director, Kathy Bigsby Moore.

2011 was a whirlwind for me getting up to speed on all of the issues affecting kids and families in Nebraska. One of the important things that Kathy’s legacy has taught me is that winning policy victories for children does not happen overnight. It takes patience and being prepared for the right moment. It takes thorough research, clear communication, and strategic advocacy to achieve collective impact on the issues that affect kids.

At Voices for Children, we are passionate about fairness for all Nebraska kids. We have been and always will be the outspoken, independent voice for children and are committed to “telling the whole story” when it comes to children’s issues. With politics so divisive, lawmakers oftentimes only listen to the side of the story they want to hear. When it comes to kids, we are making sure the whole story is being told - loud and clear.

In 2011, we accomplished this in part through a the website redesign with more commentary and analysis and an increased presence on social media. We’ve also began to use motion graphics, infographics and video to help make the story more accessible and easy to understand. This was an intentional focus on our part to constantly and consistently tell the story of Nebraska’s kids.

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I want to thank each of you who have, in your own way, helped us tell the whole story of children in our state and in our communities. Together, I am sure we can continue to change the world for the better for all of our children. Sincerely,

From the Executive Director

Community Giving - 2%Contributions - 14%

Special Events - 25%

Grant Awards - 59%

Research & Monitoring ......... $ 198,750Awareness ............................ $ 150,423Other/Administrative ............. $ 50,802Fundraising ........................... $ 30,097Advocacy (Direct lobbying) .. $ 8,468

$ 438,539

Grant Awards ....................... $ 270,000Special Events ..................... $ 113,411Contributions ........................ $ 62,111Community Giving ................ $ 9,168

$ 454,690

Fundraising - 7%

Other/Administrative - 12%

Advocacy - 2%

Awareness - 34%Research - 45%

By the numbers

As an independent voice for kids, Voices for Children in Nebraska wouldn’t exist without the fi nancial contributions of foundations, individuals, and corporate supporters. A complete list of those donors is available online atwww.voicesforchildren.com/annualreport.

Income

Expenses

Donors

Individuals

$5,000+

Mitzi Fox Nicole Theophilus Dr. Thomas & Jane Tonniges

$2,500-$4,999

Keith & Pauline Allen David & Melanie Hecker Steve & Diane Kohler

$1,000-$2,499

John & Christine Barnhart Colin Bishop Bob & Stacie Bleicher Chad & Jennifer Carpender Mark & D.J. ClarkePatrick & Cindy Doherty Sharon Doll John & Kay Lynn Goldner Jeff & Judy Greenwald Gary & Sarah Kaplan Michael Kulas & Wende BakerMonica Messer Donald & Jean Moore Craig & Kathy Moore John & Dianne Scott James & Deborah Suttle Lawrence & Jann Thomas Robert & Katherine Townsend

$500-$999

Roy & Gloria Dinsdale Steve & Abby Drucker Allen & Carol Dvorak David Filipi Gary & Kathy GatesDavid & Whitney Goldner Drew Hallock & Kelli SweetAndy & Kim Hawekotte Allen & Kathryn Moore John & Karen Morey Sally Nordlund James Anderson & Magda PeckDon & Sharon Perry Wendi Schulz Kevin & Kirsten Sladovnik Dr. Jane Carnazzo & Robert StutzmanDavid & Karol Theophilus

$250-$499

Jerry & Karen Authier Scott & Anne Barker J. Keith & Stephanie BashamWilliam Bentley John & Beatty Brasch Stacey Brewer Phyllis Brunken Patrick & Anne Buettner Linda Daughtery Henry & Marna Davidson Jay & Shirley Dunlap Sandra Gasca David & Whitney Goldner Nicholas Golyar Delynn & Esther Hay Scott & Ruth Henneman Rosalee Higgs Gwen Howard Nathan & Laura Johnson Robert Johnston Mark & Kimberly Keating Tim & Angela Kelso Dale & Verna Kephart William KingBryon Langenfeld Kristen Lembke Brian & Kathleen Mallatt George & Marjorie Manglitz Robert & Therese Mathews Don & Karen Metzger Thomas Mulligan William Pallett Thomas & Melissa Ruff John & Teresa Ryan Kirk & Deborah Ryckman Thomas & Denese Stalnaker Judy Thomas Tina Volpe Warren & Nancy Whitted

$100-$249

Gary & Patricia Allgeier Chad & Mary Anderson Ellen Archer Neil Archibald Jodie Austin Frederick & Sally Bekins John & Mary Lynn BennettWilliam & Irene Bigsby Kendra Bigsby Steven & Carol Bloch Dennis & Amy Boesen Melissa Breazile Beth Ann Brooks Fred & Penni BruningSally Burt Miguel Carranza & Christine Thesfeld-Carranza

Kirsten Case Penrod Linda Cheatham Will & Geraldine Clanton Henry Clark Barbara Copple Elizabeth Crnkovich Michael & Willie Cronin Leon & Janelle Davis Jennifer Dreibelbis Gayle Drucker Edward Easterlin John & June Fettig Shari Flowers Richard & Linda FrenchKenneth & Marjorie Fridrich Jim & Mikki Frost K. Lowell & Barbara Gaither Wayne & Kathryn Gappa R. Edward & Patricia Gehringer Emily Getzchman Sarah Gilbert Michael & Wanda Gottschalk Rebecca Gould Gail Gregory Ron Hanthorn Roger & Jacquelyn Harned Jacque Harrill Peg Harriott Paul & Marjorie Hartnett Philip & Stacey Haussler Jason & Sarah HelveyTodd Hixson Cathy Houle Elizabeth Hruska Joni Huffman David & Nancy Jacobson Jim & Joan Jensen Andrew & Leah Johnson Janet Johnston Anderson Danna Kehm Wayne & Lauren Kobza Jeffrey & Patricia Koraleski John & Sarah Ann Kotchian Joyce Lane Larry & Joanna Lindberg Bruce & Charlotte Lobaugh Joseph Loudon & Michelle ManningKent Magnuson & Beth BaxterWalter & Frances Mailand Martin & Lorraine Mancuso Nancy Mangan James & Patricia Manion Jack & Janet Mason Stephen & Susan McWilliams Michael Mitilier Matt & Jean Moore Richard & Diann Muhlbach

Judge J. Patrick Mullen & Barbara HarrisL. K. & Mary Muller David & Theresa Newell Tim & Lois Norder Doug & Lorri Oakeson Victor & Diane Pearson Robert & Elna Peirce Debra Romberger Barbara Rooker Richard & Carol Russell Lori Sasson Nicholas & Kelly Schaefer Herbert & DiAnna Schimek Elvin & Helen Shew Jon & Mindy Simon Thomas & Beverly Sonntag Nicholas Swiercek Harry & Mary Thiele LaNeita Thomas Jim & Nancy Thompson Charles & Dina Tilgner Dave & Michaela Tolo David Tomlinson Emily Tonniges Stefanie Torres Brandi Tumbleson Sue Twit Norman & Pat Wallman Clarence & Jean Waters Victoria Weisz Ryan & Jean Whitt David & Laura Wilwerding Milton & Kathleen Zadina Peter Zandbergen Stephen & Terry Zimmers Christopher Zimmers

$1-$99 Irene Abernethy Scot Adams Christy Al-Nemah Dennis & Barbara Anderson James Anniss & Rachelle WeightAnthony & Amy Ariano Bill Arnold & Karla Schwieger- ArnoldDale & Mary Bahney Maranden Baker Bill Barburek William & Elsie Barrett Richard & Amy Behnke Calvin Bentz & Cara Anderson BentzJames & Barbara Berg Robert & Marla Boyd Mabel & Susan Boyd

Lawrence & Marjorie Brennan Bo & Sarah Buettenback Michael & Deborah BuikeDarlene Burham George & Shelley Burkoski Dori Bush Richard & Kathy Campbell Kim Carpenter Rod Cerny Fred & Gretchen Christensen Bill & April Collamer Mardee Collingham Pat Connell & Mary Kunes- ConnellAnastasia Conroy Ann Coyne Amy Crawford Stephen Davis & Donna Tubach- DavisDonald & Mary Dendinger Jonah Deppe Ronald & Annette Dubas Joe & Rita Eichelberger Charles & Mary Ann Erickson Anna Ernst Frank & Kristy Feden Polly Feis Don & Janice Flegle Janel Foote Julie Ford Joseph KapusnickRobert & Robyn Freeman Dr. Wayne & Celia Ganow Stephanie Gardella Lawrence Gendler John & Carmen Gottschalk Laura Green Wil Guidebeck Ashley Gustafson Steven & Sharon Haack Herb & Marian Hames Ardys Hansum Angi Heller Kevin Hendrix Laura Hilty Matthew & Mary Hunziker Gwen Hurst-Anderson Don & Linda Hutchens Cindi Jeffrey Michele Jensen Steve Jones Kimberly Anne Joyce Nick & Chris Juliano John & Kathleen Kapusnick Howard & Gloria Kaslow Duane & Janet Katz Karen Kealey Kevin Kelch

Thomas & Kathleen Kiefer Teresa King Robert & Loriann Kirkpatrick Adam & Nikki Kirshenbaum Katherine Klein Robert Koch Brad KohlWendy Koontz Burma Kroger Robert & Shirley Kulakofsky Joan Lang John & Mary Livingston Elizabeth Llewellyn Courtney Loch Vincent Macklin Aubrey Mancuso Robert & Sherry McCartney Lisa McClane Carolyn McClean Bryan & Aimee McKim Marjorie McKown Thomas McLaughlin Kenny McMorris Ray Meints & Mary Fraser MeintsAmy Messerly Scott & Jennifer Meyerson Joseph & Cindy Mirfi eldAngela Montgomery McKinsey Mulroy Arlene Nelson Roland & Marta Nieves Jennifer Novesky Craig & Heather Oldsen Christine Olson Debbie Orduna Charles & Lorraine Pallesen Mary Jo Pankoke Steven & Pennelope Parker Mark & Nicole Pearson Douglas Peters Gina Peyton Elizabeth Pitschka Bredon Polt Ronald & Helen Raikes Jene Rasher Todd Reckling Jane Renner Hood Robert & Jennifer Richardson Amy Richardson Wendy Richey Rita & Rick Sanders Amy Schafer Richard & Ann Schenck Cathy Schleich Jennifer Sheldon

Individuals (continued)

Arthur Silknitter & Kristine TownsendSuzanne Singer Maria Sinley Andrea Skolkin Beverly Sladovnik Michael Sorensen Dorothy Spizman Georgia Stevens Sara & Brian Stobbe Sandra Stuckey

Jennifer Talarico Gary & Deb Tettenborn Al & Jodie Thornton Deb Tomek Christopher Tonniges Robert Tribolet & Georgina Scurfi eldJason Uttecht Juan Valdez Ann Van Hoff H. Nicholas & Gretchen Vondrak John & Kathy Walburn Nancy Walker Amanda Talmadge-Walkowiak

Louise Waszak James & Mary Werner Robert & Kim Whitehouse Amy Wieczorek James & Bonnie Williams Kerry Winterer Jeremy Workman Kevin & Paige Wycoff Jeff & Cindy YostCharlene Zabel Melissa Zacks Jennifer Zimmers K.C. Zubrod

Donors

Foundations, Organizations, and Businesses

$75,000+

Anonymous The Annie E. Casey Foundation

$25,000-$74,999

Holland FoundationThe Lozier FoundationWilliam and Ruth Scott Family FoundationWoods Charitable Fund, Inc.

$10,000-$24,999

Alegent Health Building Bright FuturesFirst Focus - America’s Promise AllianceNebraska Medical Center

$5,000-$9,999

COPIC Insurance CompanyNebraska Conference of the United Methodist ChurchPresbyterian Church of the Cross

The Hawks FoundationThe Todd & Betiana Simon Foundation

$1,000-$4,999

ACCESSbankBank of the WestBig Brothers Big Sisters of the MidlandsBruning State BankCatholic Health Initiatives - St. Elizabeth Regional Medical CenterChildren’s Hospital & Medical CenterCommunity Services Fund of NebraskaCreighton University Medical Center. - St. Joseph HospitalDeloitteFirst National Bank of OmahaGrace/Mayer Insurance AgencyMethodist HospitalNebraska Children and Families FoundationOmaha Schools FoundationOPPDP & A Management Co., L.L.C.Peter Kiewit FoundationRSM McGladrey, Inc.The MaidsUnion Bank & Trust CompanyValmont Foundation FundWest Corporation

$500-$999

Charles Drew Health CenterFather Flanagan’s Boys’ HomeSharee and Murray Newman FundSmith Hayes Financial Services Corp.United Health Group

$100-$499

Adult Adolescent & Child Therapy, IncBoll Weevil FoundationCentenary United Methodist WomenLutheran Family ServicesNebraska Chapter of National Association of Social WorkersOmaha Door & Window Co., IncWomen of Trinity Cathedral

$1-$99

Family Housing Advisory ServicesHeart of the Midlands Combined Federal CampaignLincoln Counseling Center P.C.Nebraska Annual Conference of The United Methodist ChurchNebraska Chapter of National Association of Social WorkersNebraska Family Support NetworkPampered ChefUnited Way of Lincoln and Lancaster CountyWells Fargo

Community Giving A special thank you to the following donors who gave through community giving programs including the United Way and Community Services Fund.

Melissa AcostaDeanna & Brandon AlbertsonKeith Allen, PhD Mary Bahney Lisa, Jacob, and Patrick BatenhorstJan BlomstedtMaureen BookAnne Yu BuettnerDebbi BuikeBecky ChabotDJ ClarkeMiguel A. Carranza, PhDMardee & Jerry CollinghamChristine CumminsSarah Cunningham, PhDSteve Drucker, CPA Tessa GiffordGinny & Dan GohrKay Lynn GoldnerDr. Whitney GoldnerMary Grantski

Judy GreenwaldSteve HaackKayla HaddenNicki Hanson Stacy HattenMichelle HaynesDavid A. Hecker, JDBilly HiggensAimee & Shawn HollendieckBarbara Holmes Mary & Mathew HunzikerHelen Kelley Angie Kelso Dee KohlerWendy Koontz Lori Koraleski Patti Koraleski Becky KrollCynthia LazureKathleen A. MallattJulie Manrose

AnonymousLuz M. AguirreKrishna AmancherlaPatricia J. BabbJennifer BangertGabriel D. BerglundMs. Donna M. BodeDebora D. BrownyardMs. Wendy BryantStephen Michael BuhlerNancy BulinBrenda S. CarlowAmy M. Cassner-SemsDave B. CaulkinsJames A. Celer

Jason ConradMs. Sandra DeanJennifer L. DreibelbisTonia DurdenEducationQuest Corporate Matching GiftCarolyn Pope EdwardsMary E. GarzaDon A GrowDavid & Melanie HeckerJulane HillMary J. JohnstonRichard L. KahleDouglas R. KoebernickSteve & Dee KohlerDaniel P. Kunzman

Judy A. MartinBryan L. & Aimee L. McKimDiane PearsonTimothy W. PotterNicole R. PreisterMs. Suzanne PrengerElvin & Helen ShewKelton K. SieckmeyerKevin & Kristin SladovnikJodi L. StandleyMs. Shannon StavaHarvey & Sally SwangerNicole TheophilusSusan C. TribbyDale A. WallmanRose C. Zlomke

Volunteers

ACCESSbankAlegent Health Bank of the WestBarnhart PressBig Brothers Big Sisters of the MidlandsBlue Cross Blue ShieldBruning State BankBuilding Bright FuturesCatholic Health Initiatives- St.Elizabeth Regional Medical Center Charles Drew Health CenterChildren’s Hospital & Medical CenterChildren’s Emergency Department

Lori MasidRob McCartneyKelsey McChane Monica MesserTina MiloniKathy Bigsby MooreDoug PetersNiki Rabidaux Melissa Ruff, CPAPallavi SamantDeb Suttle Kelli SweetNiki TheophilusMorgan ThomsenEmily TonnigesDr. Tom & Jane TonnigesLou WachtlerGrant & Monica WillmsJenniferWinkelmann

Con Agra FoodsCOPIC Insurance CompanyCreighton University Medical CenterCreighton Medical AssociatesDeloitte Tax LLCFirst National Bank of Omaha Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency Husch BlackwellKETVMethodist Women’s Hospital Nebraska Children and Families FoundationNebraska Medical CenterOmaha Schools Foundation One World Community Health Center

OPPD P & A Management Co, LLCPeter Kiewit FoundationRSM McGladrey, Inc. Smith Hayes Financial Services Corp. The Hawks FoundationThe MaidsOmaha SteaksUnion Bank & Trust Company Valmont Foundation FundWells FargoWest Corporation Woodmen of the World

Gala Sponsors

Aksarben CinemaApplebee’sArtistic HandzBarrett’s Barleycorn Pub & GrillBeads, Etc.BeertopiaBella Dea SpaBig Mama’sBillings PhotographyBlue Sushi Sake GrillBorsheimsBoyd & Charlies BBQBroadmoor MarketBruegger’s BagelsCarol Fosse Women’s ApparelCelestial Cuisine Catering Charleston’s RestaurantChicago CubsColleen Dustin PhotographyCorkscrew Wine & CheeseCreighton University Athletic DepartmentDante Pizzeria NapoletanaDario’s BrasserieDecor & YouDeFord Family DentalDJ’s DugoutSteve & Abby DruckerEagle NurseryeCreamery Ice Cream and GelatoEileen’s Colossal Cookies- PapillionFamily Fun CenterFlatiron CafeFlemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine BarFocus Red MangoForged Fit BootcampFunny BoneTracy GlantzGodfather’s PizzaGreat Harvest Bread CoHealthy Touch

Hot Shops Art CenterGwen HowardJerry Ryan Clothing and SportswearJohnny’s Italian SteakhouseJust Pop’dRichard & Helen KelleyVerna KephartDee KohlerKristen’s CookiesLansky’sLe Peep Lincoln Children’s MuseumLucky Bucket Brewing CompanyMaggie Moo’sMahogany Prime SteakhouseNancy ManganMangelsen - Images of Nature GalleryMangelsen’sMarbleSparkMimi’s CaféCraig & Kathy MooreMcKinsey MulroyNebraska DanceOlive GardenChristine OlsonOmaha Children’s MuseumOmaha Community PlayhouseOmaha Fire DepartmentOmaha Performing Arts SocietyOmaha Quilters GuildOmaha Storm ChasersOmaha SymphonyOne Tree YogaOriental Trading CompanyPapillion Fire StationPapillion Flower PatchPapio BowlPapio Fun ParkPasta Amore E FantasiaPeriwinkles For HerPlatte River PhotographyPump It UpR & M TransportationRemedy Intelligent Staffi ng

Rockbrook CameraCarolyn D. RookerRussell’s SalonSam & Louie’s New York PizzaSam & Louie’s New York Pizza - WestScheels All Sports Inc.Schieber Chiropratic & AcupunctureScooter’s Coffeehouse, Inc.Shadow Lake Towne CenterSkateDazeSpaghetti WorksSpencer’s for Steaks and Chops

SpeziaStella’s HamburgersStrike ZoneString of PurlsSullivan’s SteakhouseDeb SuttleKelli SweetSwimtasticThat Pottery PlaceThe BookwormThe Crescent Moon Ale HouseThe Durham MuseumThe Inn at Okoboji Resort Hotel & Conference CenterThe Market BasketThe Rose Performing ArtsThirty-OneTicket ExpressDr. Tom & Jane TonnigesTrader Joe’sTrek Bicycle Store of OmahaBrandi TumblesonTwo Rooster ImagesUpstream Brewing CompanyVillage GrinderTina VolpeWalker TireWarsteiner USAWells FargoWhole Foods MarketStephen & Terry ZimmersZurlo’s

Gifts in Kind

Kathy Bigsby Moore Legacy Fund

Irene AbernethyScot AdamsKeith & Pauline AllenJames Anderson & Magda PeckAnonymousEllen ArcherNeil ArchibaldJerry & Karen AuthierDale & Mary BahneyScott & Anne BarkerWilliam & Elsie BarrettJ Keith & Stephanie BashamJohn & Mary Lynn BennettJames & Barbara BergWilliam & Irene BigsbyKendra BigsbySteven & Carol BlochLawrence Brennan & Marjorie Mullen BrennanDarlene BurhamGeorge & Shelley BurkoskiSally BurtFred & Gretchen ChristensenMark & D.J. ClarkeAnastasia ConroyBarbara CoppleAnn CoyneMichael & Willie CroninHenry & Marna DavidsonStephen Davis & Donna Tubach-Davis Leon & Janelle DavisSteve & Abby DruckerAllen & Carol DvorakEdward EasterlinCharles & Mary Ann EricksonPolly FeisRobert & Robyn FreemanJim & Mikki FrostK. Lowell & Barbara GaitherGary & Kathy GatesR. Edward & Patricia GehringerLawrence GendlerDavid & Whitney GoldnerMichael & Wanda GottschalkJeff & Judy GreenwaldGail GregoryArdys HansumJacque HarrillPeg Harriott

Kevin HendrixCathy HouleElizabeth HruskaDon & Linda HutchensDavid & Nancy JacobsonJim & Joan JensenGary & Sarah KaplanDuane & Janet KatzWilliam KingKatherine KleinSteve & Diane KohlerBurma KrogerRobert & Shirley KulakofskyJoan LangKristen LembkeLarry & Joanna LindbergBruce & Charlotte LobaughKent Magnuson & Beth Baxter James & Patricia ManionRobert & Therese MathewsRay & Mary Fraser MeintsDon & Karen MetzgerScott & Jennifer MeyersonAngela MontgomeryDonald & Jean MooreRichard & Diann MuhlbachArlene NelsonRoland & Marta NievesJennifer NoveskyCharles & Lorraine PallesenSteven & Pennelope ParkerRobert & Elna PeirceDon & Sharon PerryJene RasherWendy RicheyDebra RombergerThomas & Melissa RuffRichard & Carol RussellKirk & Deborah RyckmanElvin & Helen ShewArthur Silknitter & Kristine Townsend Suzanne SingerBeverly SladovnikSandra StuckeyRobert Stutzman & Jane CarnazzoJames & Deborah SuttleDavid & Karol TheophilusHarry & Mary Carolyn ThieleLaNeita ThomasLawrence & Jann Thomas

Charles & Dina TilgnerDave & Michaela ToloDavid TomlinsonDr. Thomas & Jane TonnigesRobert Tribolet & Georgina Scurfi eld Nancy WalkerNorman & Pat WallmanVictoria WeiszRobert & Kim WhitehouseWarren & Nancy WhittedDavid & Laura WilwerdingMilton & Kathleen ZadinaStephen & Terry ZimmersChristopher ZimmersJennifer Zimmers

Craig and Kathy Moore in memory of Barbara Handschuh Reed

Joan Lang in honor of Dr. Cathy Lang

J Keith & Stephanie Basham in honor of Father Steve Boes

David & Nancy Jacobson in honor of their children, Rachel, Sara, Justin and Ben

Honorary and Memorial Gifts

All of Voices for Children’s advocacy for kids lies on a strong foundation of data and research. For 18 years, the cornerstone of this research has been the annual Kids Count in Nebraska Report. We use the Kids Count Commentary and data throughout the year to inform the public and lawmakers about the important issues that impact kids. The 2010 edition was released in January 2011.

The Kids Count in Nebraska Report Commentary focused on children’s behavioral health. Caring for children with behavioral health problems is challenging even for families who have the fi nancial resources and know where to turn for help. For those who do not, getting help is an even bigger struggle. In 2008, the Safe Haven crisis highlighted this struggle. Recognizing a window left open in Nebraska’s safe haven policy without an age limit, families relinquished 36 children to the state’s custody – 34 of whom had received prior mental health treatment. While this window in the law has since been closed and policies have been enacted that begin to provide behavioral health care for children, we know that there is still a need for a more complete system of care.

Research

The Kids Count in Nebraska 2010 Report was generously funded by the

Annie E. Casey Foundation

with additional support provided by:

Dr. Thomas & Jane Tonniges

and

Kids Count in Nebraska

by the Numbers

97 state-level indicators of

child well-being

88 pages

61 tables & fi gures

9 impact & policy boxes

When we see a need for additional information that isn’t contained in the Kids Count Report, Voices for Children produces a special Issue Brief. In 2011, we took a closer look at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers (YRTCs) - their history, who they serve, what they cost and whether they effectively meet the needs of Nebraska’s youth. We released the Issue Brief in anticipation of the 2012 Legislative debate on the fate of these institutions.

This fall, our staff traveled to Kearney, North Platte, and Scottsbluff to share and learn about the issues that children and families in the Central and Western parts of our state face. Our travels help provide context and qualitative information about the unique challenges rural communities face and help us be better advocates for kids across the state.

Our travels took us through Kearney, where we paused to fi lm an installment of our video series on safety.

Raising awareness is key to our ability to infl uence the public and policy makers and win victories for children.

Central to this work is our website, where we post information and analysis about the issues impacting Nebraska’s kids. In 2011, voicesforchildren.com received its fi rst major makeover in over fi ve years. We have added new content and integrated social media tools like Twitter and Facebook, so visitors can get up-to- the-minute information every time they visit our site.

VideoBecause of the sometimes technical nature of public policy and data, we strive to tell the whole story in a way that is easy to understand and compelling. This year, we began a series of weekly web videos, breaking down the issues into digestible bites so that anyone can watch and learn why a topic is important.

Awareness

Visit http://voicesforchildren.com for all of our videos.

So, just what is an infographic?Infographics are a way of representing data or a concept in a visual form so that they are more easily understood. Lots of things fall into the category of “infographics” - from simple illustrations of a concept to visualizations of complicated sets of data. Info-graphics are an emerging tool and we are just getting started. Above is our very fi rst infographic on the phenomenon known as the cliff effect.

Awarenessby the

Numbers

26 videos

2 motion graphic videos

6 infographics

737% growth in Twitter followers

172% growth in Facebook

fans

InfographicsOur goal is to become a more data-driven organization. Increasingly, nonprofi ts and community leaders rely on infographics and data visualization to better understand a problem or to give the data context. Every month, we produce an infographic that explains important data or a concept. Whether it’s kids in out-of-home care by the numbers or showing where “cliffs” exist in our public benefi t programs – these infographics illustrate what is really happening to our kids in a clear and data-driven way. We are a leader in this among our peer organizations nationally and we’re just getting started.

Our ultimate goal as an advocacy organization is to improve the systems that serve kids. These programs and systems can help more kids access health insurance, learn more effectively in school, grow up in families that can meet all of their basic needs without fi nancial support, or be safe at home and in their communities. When the programs that serve kids work, we are better off as a community and state. We improve these systems through advocating for public policy changes.

This change happens in two different ways: by advocating for legislative change, or by advocating for administrative change. In 2011, we won two key legislative victories for Nebraska’s kids:

- An increase in the asset limit in the SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) program. By increasing the asset limit to $25,000, families who are experiencing a temporary setback – like the loss of a job or a reduction in work hours – can qualify for SNAP without having to spend all of their savings like a 401(k) or college savings account for their kids.

-Adopting parts of the Fostering Connections Act helps make the transition into and out of foster care less traumatic for kids in the system by maintaining family connections and providing planning opportunities and support for youth preparing to “age out” of the system.

While we secured two key advocacy victories for kids in 2011, the year was not without its setbacks. With the state and country slowly recovering from the recession, state budgets are tight. In Nebraska, lawmakers made several cuts to state programs that impact children and families. The child care subsidy rate was frozen at a level below the actual market rate for child care, and Medicaid payment rates were cut, meaning doctors and other health providers receive a smaller payment for the services they provide.

It is important to understand that advocacy isn’t something that happens in isolation; oftentimes factors beyond the control of even the most skilled advocates are at play. We do know that policies can always be changed and remain hopeful that the time will be right to increase investments in children in the coming years.

Advocacy

Advocacy by the

Numbers

704 bills introduced

199 bills impacting kids

22 testimonies on bills

Voices for Children in Nebraska also uses advocacy to promote administrative change. Late last summer, Voices for Children began working with a group of frontline behavioral health providers to describe how changes to Medicaid rules and regulations were infl uencing the lives of the children they serve. We identifi ed the main problems with the proposed changes and illustrated how they were affecting kids in an easy to understand diagram, Johnny’s Journey.

In Johnny’s Journey, we outline the amount of time it takes for “Johnny,” who needs residential treatment, to be approved by Medicaid and receive that treatment. In the “before” fl ow chart, it takes very little time. But “after” the new rules and regulations are put in place, it takes Johnny much longer to get approval, which jeopardizes his health.

This diagram and supplemental testimony were used to educate senators on the issues, which in turn allowed them to ask the important questions of Medicaid offi cials. We also used this information in our own testimony at a public hearing on the changes in the rules and regulations. From this work, and the work of many others, we were able to put enough pressure on Medicaid that they reversed some of the rules that were limiting children’s access to Medicaid services.

Johnny’s Journey 12 yr old ward of the state From Lincoln, NE and placed in foster care in Omaha Has been working with a LMPH in the community to address his impulsive control disorder Has recently become highly assaultive toward peers and adults and has started making suicidal state-ments and threatens to hurt others. His therapist begins the Medicaid application process:

Placement in PRTF

Outpatient therapy by community provider: therapist (LMHP/LCSW), psychologist, or independent therapist (LIMHR)

Pre-July 1 Post-July 1

Community provider (therapist, psychologist, independent therapist completes Magellan application for treatment level of care (PRTF)

Receive verbal consent by legal guardian for application to be submitted

Need signature by legal guardian for

application before submitting

Dependant on DHHS case worker availabil-

ity to respond.Minimum 24 hrs

If application is completed by a therapist, need to get signature from su-pervising practitioner (psychologist, independent therapist or psychiatrist)

Same day guardianapproval and supervising practitioner signature if supervisor is in house.

Need signature by psychiatristfor Statement of Need on

application before it is submitted

Averaging 6 weeks*

Approval or appeal process by Magellan

72 hrs** 72 hrs**

Average time from beginning application to placement:

3 days

Average time from beginning application to placement:

Over 6 weeks

2011 marked a turning point in the history of Voices for Children in Nebraska. Founding Executive Director Kathy Bigsby Moore retired after 23 years of leading the only statewide, multi-issue, independent child advocacy organization in Nebraska. Kathy left an incredible legacy for those of us who follow in her footsteps.

Kathy and Voices for Children in Nebraska fought for important policy changes for kids including the establishment of Kids Connection, the health insurance program for low-income Nebraska children; a State Earned Income Tax Credit which puts money back in the pockets of low-income workers so they can spend it on their families’ basic needs; and the Nebraska Parenting Act and tools to help divorcing parents learn to parent from two households.

To honor Kathy and all she has accomplished for Nebraska’s children, Voices for Children in Nebraska presented her with a Lifetime Achievement award at our annual Spotlight Gala. In addition to the award, we established the “Kathy Bigsby Moore Legacy Fund” at Voices for Children in order to continue her legacy and allow the organization to respond fl exibly to the unaddressed needs of Nebraska’s kids. We began the fund with a challenge from a very special group of anonymous donors: they would match the fi rst $20,000 we raised for the fund. Thanks to the generosity of donors and friends of Voices for Children and Kathy, we met our goal before the Spotlight Gala in March and raised over $40,000 for the Legacy Fund.

The end of an era

Kathy Bigsby Moore speaking on the State Capitol steps circa 1992 (left), at the Kids Count Report Release circa 2001 (center), and meeting with U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (right).

Spotlight Gala

The 2011 Spotlight Gala was our biggest and best to date. The event raised $125,000 net in support of our advocacy on behalf of Nebraska’s vulnerable children.

The Spotlight Gala recognized Dr. Tom and Jane Tonniges and their children, Christopher and Tracie Tonniges, Emily Tonniges, and Elizabeth and Patrick Gomez as the Honorary Family for their longstanding involvement and support of many civic and child-serving organizations.

Six awards were presented during the Spotlight Gala: Ky-Antre Compton, Youth Award; Karla Schweiger-Arnold, Individual Award; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Organization Award; Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha; Faith-Based Award.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Voices for Children’s founding Executive Director, Kathy Bigsby Moore. Kathy was also presented a proclamation of March 19, 2011 as “Kathy Bigsby Moore Day” in the City of Omaha by Mayor Jim Suttle.

A committee of more than 30 community volunteers helped organize the event, led by event chairwomen Mary Hunziker, Dee Kohler, and Monica Messer.

Diamond and Platinum sponsors included KETV Channel 7, The Nebraska Medical Center, Alegent Health, Barnhart Press, Husch Blackwell Sanders, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Copic Medical Foundation, Rhonda and Howard Hawks, and Omaha Steaks.

Honorary Family (left to right): Emily Tonniges, Chris Tonniges, Dr. Tom and Jane Tonniges, Elizabeth and Patrick Gomez.

KETV’s Rob McCartney served as the event MC.

Telling the whole story.

7521 Main Street, Suite 103Omaha, NE 68127

(402) 597-3100 phone(402) 597-2705 fax

[email protected]://voicesforchildren.com

Carolyn D. Rooker, MSW Executive Director

Rachel BoyerExecutive Assistant &

Special Projects Coordinator

Melissa Breazile Research Coordinator

Sarah ForrestPolicy Coordinator -

Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice

Connie HackerAccounts Manager

Aubrey Mancuso, MSW Policy Coordinator -

Health & Economic Well-being

Caitlin ParduePolicy Associate - Behavioral Health

Jill WestfallCommunications &

Operations Coordinator

Staff

Keith Allen, PhD President

Dee Kohler Vice President

Delores “DJ” Clarke Secretary

Steve Drucker, CPA Treasurer

Anne Yu Buettner, MAStephen D. CummingsJudy Greenwald, MSW

David A. Hecker, JDTim Hron, MA, LIMHP

Jocelyn JoyceKristen Lembke, CPA

Lloyd MeyerSteve Mitchell

Eric Nelson, MSEKrystal Sautter

Board of Directors