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Foster Care Advisory Committee

General Information
  • Formal Name:
    Foster Care Advisory Committee
  • Contact Person:
    Monika Gross, J.D., Executive Director
  • Purpose:
    The Foster Care Review Office (FCRO) is the independent state agency responsible for overseeing the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in out-of-home care through a process that includes case reviews, data collection and analysis and accountability. The FCRO is the authoritative voice for all children and youth in out-of-home care. (43-1301 to 43-1321).
  • How Many Affectable:
    Nebraska's children and youth in out-of-home care
  • How Many Served:
    Nebraska's children and youth in out-of-home care
  • Year Created:
    1982
  • Year Active:
    1982
  • Sunset Date:
    na
Authorization
  • Authorization Citation:
    43-1301 to 43-1321
  • Parent Agency:
    Foster Care Review Office - Agency 70
Memberships and Meetings
  • Number Of Members:
    5
  • Who Appoints:
    Governor
  • Legislative Approval:
    Yes
  • Qualifications Of Members:
    43-1302 (2) (a)The Foster Care Advisory Committee is created. The committee shall have five members appointed by the Governor. Three members shall be local board members, one member shall have data analysis experience, and one member shall be a resident of the state who is representative of the public at large. The members shall have no pecuniary interest in the foster care system and shall not be employed by the office, the Department of Health and Human Services, a county, a residential child-caring agency, a child-placing agency, or a court.
  • Per Diem:
    na
  • Expense Reimbursement:
    Yes
  • Term Length:
    Three year terms - limited to two consecutive terms.
  • Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:
    Terms Rotate
Meetings Required In:
  • Required FY 21-22:
    4
  • Held FY 21-22:
    4
  • Required FY 22-23:
    4
  • Held FY 22-23:
    4
  • Required FY 23-24:
    4
  • Held FY 23-24:
    4
Operations
  • Support Staff:
    Monika Gross, J.D., Executive Director - Heidi Ore, Administrative Program Officer II
  • Shared or Separate:
    Shared
  • FY 21-22 Budget:
    Agency Budget - $2,498,160 - General, Federal and Cash funds
  • FY 22-23 Budget:
    Agency Budget - $2,534,242 - General, Federal and Cash funds
  • FY 23-24 Budget:
    Agency Budget - $2,901,620 - General, Federal and Cash funds
  • Other Funding Sources:
    NA
  • Spending Authority:
    43-1301 to 43-1321
Accomplishments
  • Since July 1, 2020:
    From July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024, some of the FCRO's accomplishments include: Tracked 33,928 children and youth in out of home care on the FCRO's Tracking System (FCTS)Implemented Data Dashboards containing timely key data measures regarding Nebraska's children and youth in out of home care which is accessible by the public and policy makers. Issued 20 Annual and Quarterly Reports per Statute - four per yearIssued 10 Special Studies highlighting relevant subjects concerning children in out of home care such as educational outcomes and youth experience and well-being. Reviewed 22,279 children. These reviews include: *Professional staff reviewing DHHS and other stakeholder documentation on each child*Citizen review of curated information at local board meetings*Supervisors overseeing and approving reviews*Completion of data forms for each child reviewedIssued 155,953 legal documents containing recommendations and up-to-date information to the Judiciary and other legal parties involved in children's cases