Local efforts to address the problems families face should get a boost from the state.

A private-public initiative called Bring Up Nebraska promises to give state resources to local communities attempting to resolve the problems their families must cope with.

State Senator Mark Kolterman of Seward says the approach makes sense. . .

Slightly more than 5-Thousand Nebraska youth have been taken from the home by the state. Nearly half of the young children removed from their home have at least one parent who was a ward of the state.

 

Health and Human Services CEO Courtney Phillips says it’s an effort by the state to give communities the resources to address local needs. . .

At present, 11 communities…some covering large areas…collaborate on family issues. The state hopes to expand that.