CONTACT
Lee Rettig, Communications and Legislative Services, (402) 471-8287; lee.rettig@nebraska.gov
Photo Release:
Governor Proclaims April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Nebraska
(L to R – Matt Wallen, Dannette Smith, Nebraska First Lady Susanne Shore)
Lincoln – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to remind Nebraskans of the important role they play in helping prevent child abuse and neglect of children. The annual campaign promotes efforts to strengthen families and ensure happy, safe and healthy childhoods for all of Nebraska's children.
Joining Governor Ricketts for the proclamation was Department of Health and Human Services CEO Dannette Smith, Division of Children and Family Services Director Matt Wallen and DHHS team members, Children and Family Services providers and community stakeholders.
“Parents, not the state, are best suited to care for children," said Wallen. “Which is why it is critical that Nebraska supports efforts to promote prevention, strengthen families and keep families together, when it's safe to do so."
Nebraska is leading the nation in child abuse prevention as one of first states to commit to fully implement the Family First Prevention Services act (FFPSA), signed into law by Congress in February of 2018. The FFPSA reforms the federal child welfare financing stream to provide prevention services to families who are at risk of entering the child welfare system.
DHHS is developing an FFPSA implementation plan to be enacted October 1.