Alternative Response is an approach to working with families to safely care for children in their own homes and communities. Alternative response is a different way to respond to allegations of abuse or neglect so children can stay in their homes.
Questions regarding Alternative Response can be sent to: DHHS.AlternativeResponse@nebraska.gov
Alternative Response:- Assesses child safety, risk of future abuse or neglect, and parent's ability to protect their children
- Connects families to services and/or informal supports to improve parents' ability to protect their children
- Does not place the parent(s) on the Central Registry
- Eligibility is based on information gathered by the Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline
- Has 22 exclusionary criteria
- Has the Review, Evaluate and Decide (RED) Team criteria (eight additional criteria). If they are present, further review is required to determine if the case meets the definition of Alternative Response
- Was implemented as a pilot project on October 1, 2014 in five counties (Scotts Bluff, Hall, Lancaster, Dodge, and Sarpy and was expanded in 2016 to an additional 30 counties