Youth Bill of Rights Survey
The Community and Family Voice Subcommittee of the Normalcy Task Force has been tasked with gathering the voice of young people to create recommendations for a Nebraska Youth Bill of Rights as the state implements a new law called the Strengthening Families Act (SFA). We are currently reaching out to the community and asking for involvement in one of two ways:
Individual Youth Survey
A survey has been created for current and former youth in out-of-home care to provide feedback on what they feel should be included in the Youth Bill of Rights. If you are a current or former foster youth aged 14 or older who wants to have a say in what “Normal” should look like for youth while in out-of-home care, please visit the following link and let us know what foster youth rights should be protected.
Facilitated Youth Bill of Rights Survey
The Community and Family Voice Subcommittee has also created a focus group facilitation guide and survey for groups of youth to complete in a social setting. If you are involved with a group of youth previously or currently in out-of-home care and would like to assist in helping to shape the Youth Bill of Rights, you can access the facilitation guide and supporting documents below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are there funds to support food or incentives for youth participating?
A: Unfortunately, the Taskforce isn’t able to offer any incentives. However, we encourage you to get creative with incentives you or your program could offer. Some ideas include:
- Extra phone or media time.
- Half an hour later of curfew.
- An hour of community service.
- Points within your program’s point system.
- Picking the activity or meal for the family’s next evening out.
- One-on-one time with a foster parent or favorite staff.
- Having a friend over.
Q: What if the youth is uncomfortable reading or struggles with the handouts or format of the focus group?
A: As the lead at your program or in your home/group home, you know your youth(s) best. Feel free to adapt the structure of the focus group to fit their needs or read the survey to them and help them answer questions.
Q: What if they don’t want to answer all the questions or we don’t get through it all?
A: All feedback is welcomed and voluntary. We want any information they are willing to contribute; however, complete it may be.
Q: Is there an age cap on who can take the survey?
A: There is not an age cap on who can participate in the survey. We encourage input from former youth as well as current. While the Bill of Rights may no longer apply to youth who have aged out, they have the advantage of being able to reflect upon their experiences and use them to promote Normalcy for those still system involved.
The surveys will remain open until mid-September.
If you do not have the ability to host a focus group, but would still like to help spread the word, feel free to share the link to the individual Youth Bill of Rights survey that is available above on your website or social media page. We also have facilitation leaders who are available to host focus groups upon request. For more information on the Youth Bill of Rights or the work of the Normalcy Task Force you can contact the Nebraska Children's Commission at NECC.Contact@nebraska.gov or at (402) 471-4416.