LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Gov. Dave Heineman says he’s concerned about the potential cost of new recommendations that seek to overhaul Nebraska’s troubled child welfare system.
The Republican governor told reporters Tuesday that lawmakers have not yet indicated how they plan to pay for the recommendations, which include the creation of a new state department and reclaiming case management from private contractors.
His comments came in response to an 18-point report released last week by the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee.
The report reflected complaints about Nebraska’s child welfare system and a privatization effort that began in 2009. Critics say the reform effort has been plagued by higher-than-expected costs and poor planning.
Heineman says he still needs to discuss the report with lawmakers, services providers and other stakeholders.