Proposal would license Nebraska child welfare case managers

The Foster Care Review Office would license people who manage, investigate, or supervise child welfare cases. This would cover department employees, contractors, and subcontractors who perform case work involving child welfare, child protection, or foster care. The office would set renewal standards; licenses would last two years. Each license would last two years and could be renewed under standards set by the office.

The office would review complaints and discipline licensed case managers for misconduct. Misconduct includes falsifying or misleading case information and acts meant to improperly affect a case. Discipline could include suspension, revocation, or conditions for getting a license back. The office would have to revoke a license for intentional or reckless misconduct, or misconduct that caused substantial harm. Losing a license would bar the person from managing, investigating, or supervising child welfare cases. A person could seek review of an office finding; an amendment request would require additional evidence and must be filed within ten days of the decision. The office would review an appeal within 60 days after filing and issue a written decision within 30 days after completing its review.

The office would set investigation standards and publish a report each year. The yearly report would cover licensing and discipline, complaints and investigations, estimated fiscal effects of specified outcomes, and progress on efficiency, compliance, and federal funding eligibility. The office would consult the Department of Health and Human Services. Families and foster parents would get timely notice unless law bars it, weekly updates, and clear expectations; standards would address investigation length and when investigations may stay open. A foster home could not be put on hold during an investigation unless there is definitive evidence of violence or malfeasance. Respite care could still be allowed when appropriate, and foster parent input would have to be considered and recorded. The office would submit its report to the Legislature and publish it on the department's website each year.