Alternative Response Advisory Committee

This Committee, created by LB1061(2020) and codified at Neb. Rev. Stat. §28-712, is appointed by the Commission to examine the department's alternative response to reports of child abuse or neglect and to make recommendations to the Legislature, the department, and the commission regarding (i) the receipt and screening of reports of child abuse or neglect by the department, (ii) the ongoing use of alternative response, (iii) the ongoing use of traditional response, and (iv) the provision of services within alternative response and non-court-involved cases to ensure child safety, to reduce the risk of child abuse or neglect, and to engage families.

The Alternative Response (AR) Advisory Committee has been meeting since January 2021 to make recommendations regarding the ongoing use of alternative and tradional responses to reports of abuse and neglect by the department. This program 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. The current Co-Chairs of the Committee include Monika Gross (Foster Care Review Office) and Susan Thomas.

The Committee is currently is in the process of strategic planning and determining the work of any subgroups.

The committee continues to meet as needed. Notices of Committee meetings are published on the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar. You can access current meeting documents here or past meeting documents may be found here. A current member listing is available below.

Alternative Response Advisory Committee Reports

Alternative Response Advisory Committee Membership