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LR 216

Interim study to examine the current caseload of child welfare social workers working in the various districts across the state

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Machaela Cavanaugh

The bill directs an interim study to assess Nebraska child welfare caseloads, aiming to ensure compliance, compare to best practices, and improve retention, training, and outcomes.

Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
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Bill Summary · LR 216

LR216 — Interim Study to Examine Caseloads of Nebraska Child Welfare Social Workers

Overview

LR216 is a Legislative Resolution introduced on May 15, 2025, during the 109th Nebraska Legislature’s first session. The resolution proposes an interim study to assess the current caseloads of child welfare social workers across Nebraska’s districts. It directs the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct the study and report findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature.

Purpose and Scope

The primary goal is to evaluate whether caseloads are appropriate and to explore ways to improve child welfare outcomes. The study shall consider, but is not limited to, the following six areas:
1. Whether Nebraska caseloads comply with statutory requirements.
2. How Nebraska caseloads compare to national best practices.
3. The number of caseworkers assigned to children in foster care and how that affects case plan development and implementation.
4. Ways to reduce turnover in caseworker positions.
5. Whether current training adequately prepares new caseworkers.
6. Other items relevant to analyzing appropriate social worker caseload levels.

Key Provisions

  • Designation of the Health and Human Services Committee to conduct the interim study.
  • Upon completion, the committee must prepare and present a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislative Council or Legislature.

Affected Parties and Potential Impact

  • Primary focus: child welfare social workers and district offices across Nebraska.
  • Secondary effects: foster children in care, families involved with the child welfare system, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Division of Children and Family Services) as the programmatic context.
  • The study’s outcomes could inform policy decisions on caseload standards, staff recruitment and retention, and training enhancements, potentially influencing future budget and resource allocation.

Procedural Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: May 15, 2025.
  • Referred to Executive Board: May 15, 2025.
  • Referred to Health and Human Services Committee: May 19, 2025.
  • Next steps: The Health and Human Services Committee will conduct the interim study and, at its conclusion, prepare a report with findings and recommendations for the Legislative Council or Legislature.

Sponsor

  • Primary sponsor: M. Cavanaugh.

This LR216 is an interim study resolution aimed at assessing and improving the management of caseloads for Nebraska’s child welfare social workers, with a focus on compliance, best practices, retention, and training, culminating in a formal report to guide future legislative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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