4.13.12
May 17 - A Day to Do Good
On May 17, the Lincoln Community Foundation will sponsor 24 hours of giving, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm. Gifts can be made online or in person during regular business hours at the Lincoln Community Foundation, 215 Centennial Mall South. All donations will be matched with a proportional share of a $200,000 challenge match pool of funds.
Click here to give to Christian Heritage on May 17!
4.1.12
Do You Know Someone Who Should Be Father of the Year?
Christian Heritage is accepting nominations now through April 30 for the 2012 Nebraska Father of the Year award. The purpose of the award is to increase awareness of the importance of fathers and to recognize outstanding Nebraska fathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers or legal guardians. Either adults or youth may nominate deserving fathers.
The 2012 Nebraska Father of the Year will be honored at a luncheon to be held on June 14 at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. He and the other top finalists will be inducted into the Nebraska Fatherhood Hall of Fame at that time.
Click here to learn more!
10.3.2011
Kids and Dads
Children are now able to come to special Daddy Day Visits in order to be able to spend time with their incarcerated fathers. It is a program that was implemented through our Fatherhood Initiative Program. The kids get to spend two hours with their dads. The kids love it and the dads love it. It is a way for these fathers to keep in contact with their kids while still serving their time.
4.28.11
Foster Care Changes Approved
Nebraska state senators have given final approval to a bill that makes several changes to the Nebraska foster care system.
LB177, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, requires the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to notify adult relatives within 30 days of a child's removal from his or her home. An exception is provided if an adult relative's history of domestic or family violence would make notification inappropriate.
The bill also requires that HHS and the court make reasonable efforts to place siblings together and provide visitation or ongoing interaction when siblings are not placed together. An exception is provided if joint placement or visitation would be contrary to the safety and well-being of any sibling.
Finally, the bill requires the department to develop an individual proposal for each child transitioning out of foster care into adulthood. Such a proposal will include assessment of a foster child's educational, employment, housing, health care and other support needs.
The bill passed on a 47-0 vote.
(taken from Unicameral Update, the Nebraska Legislature's official news source)
1.28.11
Update on Foster Care 2010
While Christian Heritage had the privilege of serving 369 children in our foster care program in 2010 (an increase of 20% over 2009), we had to turn down 404 kids during the fourth quarter alone. Because we do not have enough foster homes, we turned away over 1,100 children who were referred to us in 2010. Our needs for Christian foster parents are greater than ever.
In 2009, we had 191 children discharged. Of this number, 67% were successfully placed back at home, with a relative, or in an adoptive home. The average length of time they were in a foster home was 194 days.
In 2010, we had 260 kids discharged. Of this number 74% were successfully placed back at home, with a relative, or in an adoptive home, and the average length of time they were in a foster home was 173 days. More kids, more successful discharges in less time. These are positive outcomes. To God be the glory!
1.28.11
Fatherhood Initiative 2010 Report
The Christian Heritage fatherhood program has had 460 dads enroll in its InsideOut Dad™ parenting program and has just eclipsed 400 graduates from the program. In 2010, 75 incarcerated dads were videotaped reading to their children via the Messages Project, bringing the total number of recorded messages to 215 in the last 20 months. Dads who have successfully completed InsideOut Dad™ are eligible to participate in Love and Logic, a nationally recognized child discipline model. To date, 150 certificates of completion have been issued to dads who have completed the six-hour requirement for this additional class.
In early 2010, Bill Nelson was hired to direct the Christian Heritage Fatherhood Initiative. He and Gregg Nicklas traveled to Colorado in April to be trained in Within Our Reach, a marriage curriculum we intend to take into correctional facilities. Bill provided the curriculum to couples from two state facilities in 2010. This has been so successful that we will be offering the class at other locations in 2011.
We successfully launched "Daddy Day Visits" in 2010 and InsideOut Dad™, the Messages Project, and Daddy Day Visits will be implemented in every state correctional facility for men, thanks to the approval of an administrative regulation by the Department of Corrections. What a miracle!
10.15.10
Christian Heritage Now Accredited
Christian Heritage has received notification of accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations. Today, over 1800 organizations--public and private--are either COA accredited or are in the process of seeking accreditation. These organizations serve over 7 million of our most vulnerable individuals each year.
COA's commitment to maintaining the highest level of standards and quality improvement is designed to identify providers that have set high performance standards for themselves and have made a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services. COA is proud to recognize Christian Heritage as one of these outstanding providers.
COA accreditation process involves a detailed analysis of an organization's administrative operations and service delivery practices. All are measured against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with respect.
9.16.10
Fatherhood Initiative Honored
Members of Christian Heritage's Fatherhood Initiative were honored for their Destination...Dad™ program at a September 16 ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Deputy Director Larry Wayne of Nebraska Department of Correction Services (NDCS) nominated Christian Heritage for the Department's Partnership Award in recognition of the InsideOut Dad™ (fatherhood) program taught in facilities throughout Nebraska. Governor Dave Heineman and NDCS Director Robert Houston presented the award with other dignitaries from the Department of Correctional Services.
Christian Heritage Co-CEO Gregg Nicklas accepted the award, along with Fatherhood Initiative Director Bill Nelson and Coordinator Jim Erwin.
9.15.10
Training Schedule Available On-line
Partnering for Safety and Permanence - Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP) is the first step toward becoming a licensed foster parent or to complete a foster care adoption. Individuals spend three hours a week for ten weeks with two certified trainers. Our schedule for PS-MAPP foster parent training is now available by clicking below:
PS-MAPP Schedule
6.26.10
Christian Heritage Celebrates 30 Years
On Saturday, June 26, Christian Heritage celebrated its 30th birthday. In 1979, Gregg Nicklas had a vision of providing Christian homes for Nebraska's abused and neglected children. Meeting the needs of these children led to his resignation from a successful marketing career. On June 26, 1980, Christian Heritage was incorporated as a non-profit organization and the following year, the IRS issued a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation.
In 30 years, Christian Heritage has provided homes for literally thousands of Nebraska's children and currently serves nearly 200 every day.
4.21.10
CH Foster Parent Honored
Christian Heritage congratulates Janet Goodman-Banks on receiving the Gerald Henderson Human Rights Award. The Henderson Award, named after the Lincoln Human Rights Commission's first director, is given to a person who epitomizes the commitment and resolve that Mr. Henderson displayed in seeking equal opportunity and justice for all.
Rev. Goodman-Banks is Executive Pastor of The Reach Out Christian Center, CEO of the "Women in the City" ministry, a foster parent for Christian Heritage and a tireless advocate of health care for all. She was recently appointed to the Mayor's Multicultural Advisory Board.
"Janet Goodman-Banks has been a tireless advocate for many causes in our community," said Larry Williams, Executive Director for the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights. "She has a genuine passion for people in need. Her nursing experience, kind heart and tremendous interpersonal skills make her a natural leader and friend for those who are less fortunate."
3.23.09
Christian Heritage Hosts InsideOut DadTM Training
Greg Austen from the National Fatherhood Initiative traveled from Virginia to Nebraska to train Department of Corrections employees and volunteers from across the state on the implementation of the InsideOut Dad curriculum. Larry Wayne, Deputy Director of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, chose to standardize InsideOut Dad as the parenting curriculum in eight correctional facilities. Christian Heritage hosted the training on February 11 and 12 for 20 DOC staff members and 22 volunteers.
The InsideOut Dad curriculum assists incarcerated fathers in remembering and addressing their past, helping them understand the impact of fathers, assessing their emotions and relationships, as well as understanding parenting, discipline and child development. The men learn how to be a dad on the inside and also prepare a reentry and reunification plan.
In March, a poster announcing the first InsideOut Dad class was displayed in one unit at the Lincoln Correctional Center; 32 dads signed up for the class. At the Nebraska State Penitentiary when the poster went up to recruit 15 dads for the first class, 50 responded. At the Tecumseh facility, 15 dads were sought for the first class and 85 fathers signed up.
8.27.08
Christian Heritage Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced today the accreditation of Christian Heritage of Walton, NE, a Christian organization committed to caring for Nebraska's abused and neglected children.
May 17 - A Day to Do Good
On May 17, the Lincoln Community Foundation will sponsor 24 hours of giving, from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm. Gifts can be made online or in person during regular business hours at the Lincoln Community Foundation, 215 Centennial Mall South. All donations will be matched with a proportional share of a $200,000 challenge match pool of funds.
Click here to give to Christian Heritage on May 17!
4.1.12
Do You Know Someone Who Should Be Father of the Year?
Christian Heritage is accepting nominations now through April 30 for the 2012 Nebraska Father of the Year award. The purpose of the award is to increase awareness of the importance of fathers and to recognize outstanding Nebraska fathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers or legal guardians. Either adults or youth may nominate deserving fathers.
The 2012 Nebraska Father of the Year will be honored at a luncheon to be held on June 14 at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. He and the other top finalists will be inducted into the Nebraska Fatherhood Hall of Fame at that time.
Click here to learn more!
10.3.2011
Kids and Dads
Children are now able to come to special Daddy Day Visits in order to be able to spend time with their incarcerated fathers. It is a program that was implemented through our Fatherhood Initiative Program. The kids get to spend two hours with their dads. The kids love it and the dads love it. It is a way for these fathers to keep in contact with their kids while still serving their time.
4.28.11
Foster Care Changes Approved
Nebraska state senators have given final approval to a bill that makes several changes to the Nebraska foster care system.
LB177, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, requires the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to notify adult relatives within 30 days of a child's removal from his or her home. An exception is provided if an adult relative's history of domestic or family violence would make notification inappropriate.
The bill also requires that HHS and the court make reasonable efforts to place siblings together and provide visitation or ongoing interaction when siblings are not placed together. An exception is provided if joint placement or visitation would be contrary to the safety and well-being of any sibling.
Finally, the bill requires the department to develop an individual proposal for each child transitioning out of foster care into adulthood. Such a proposal will include assessment of a foster child's educational, employment, housing, health care and other support needs.
The bill passed on a 47-0 vote.
(taken from Unicameral Update, the Nebraska Legislature's official news source)
1.28.11
Update on Foster Care 2010
While Christian Heritage had the privilege of serving 369 children in our foster care program in 2010 (an increase of 20% over 2009), we had to turn down 404 kids during the fourth quarter alone. Because we do not have enough foster homes, we turned away over 1,100 children who were referred to us in 2010. Our needs for Christian foster parents are greater than ever.
In 2009, we had 191 children discharged. Of this number, 67% were successfully placed back at home, with a relative, or in an adoptive home. The average length of time they were in a foster home was 194 days.
In 2010, we had 260 kids discharged. Of this number 74% were successfully placed back at home, with a relative, or in an adoptive home, and the average length of time they were in a foster home was 173 days. More kids, more successful discharges in less time. These are positive outcomes. To God be the glory!
1.28.11
Fatherhood Initiative 2010 Report
The Christian Heritage fatherhood program has had 460 dads enroll in its InsideOut Dad™ parenting program and has just eclipsed 400 graduates from the program. In 2010, 75 incarcerated dads were videotaped reading to their children via the Messages Project, bringing the total number of recorded messages to 215 in the last 20 months. Dads who have successfully completed InsideOut Dad™ are eligible to participate in Love and Logic, a nationally recognized child discipline model. To date, 150 certificates of completion have been issued to dads who have completed the six-hour requirement for this additional class.
In early 2010, Bill Nelson was hired to direct the Christian Heritage Fatherhood Initiative. He and Gregg Nicklas traveled to Colorado in April to be trained in Within Our Reach, a marriage curriculum we intend to take into correctional facilities. Bill provided the curriculum to couples from two state facilities in 2010. This has been so successful that we will be offering the class at other locations in 2011.
We successfully launched "Daddy Day Visits" in 2010 and InsideOut Dad™, the Messages Project, and Daddy Day Visits will be implemented in every state correctional facility for men, thanks to the approval of an administrative regulation by the Department of Corrections. What a miracle!
10.15.10
Christian Heritage Now Accredited
Christian Heritage has received notification of accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
Founded in 1977, COA is an independent not-for-profit international accreditor of the full continuum of community-based behavioral health care and human service organizations. Today, over 1800 organizations--public and private--are either COA accredited or are in the process of seeking accreditation. These organizations serve over 7 million of our most vulnerable individuals each year.
COA's commitment to maintaining the highest level of standards and quality improvement is designed to identify providers that have set high performance standards for themselves and have made a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services. COA is proud to recognize Christian Heritage as one of these outstanding providers.
COA accreditation process involves a detailed analysis of an organization's administrative operations and service delivery practices. All are measured against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with respect.
9.16.10
Fatherhood Initiative Honored
Members of Christian Heritage's Fatherhood Initiative were honored for their Destination...Dad™ program at a September 16 ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Deputy Director Larry Wayne of Nebraska Department of Correction Services (NDCS) nominated Christian Heritage for the Department's Partnership Award in recognition of the InsideOut Dad™ (fatherhood) program taught in facilities throughout Nebraska. Governor Dave Heineman and NDCS Director Robert Houston presented the award with other dignitaries from the Department of Correctional Services.
Christian Heritage Co-CEO Gregg Nicklas accepted the award, along with Fatherhood Initiative Director Bill Nelson and Coordinator Jim Erwin.
9.15.10
Training Schedule Available On-line
Partnering for Safety and Permanence - Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP) is the first step toward becoming a licensed foster parent or to complete a foster care adoption. Individuals spend three hours a week for ten weeks with two certified trainers. Our schedule for PS-MAPP foster parent training is now available by clicking below:
PS-MAPP Schedule
6.26.10
Christian Heritage Celebrates 30 Years
On Saturday, June 26, Christian Heritage celebrated its 30th birthday. In 1979, Gregg Nicklas had a vision of providing Christian homes for Nebraska's abused and neglected children. Meeting the needs of these children led to his resignation from a successful marketing career. On June 26, 1980, Christian Heritage was incorporated as a non-profit organization and the following year, the IRS issued a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt designation.
In 30 years, Christian Heritage has provided homes for literally thousands of Nebraska's children and currently serves nearly 200 every day.
4.21.10
CH Foster Parent Honored
Christian Heritage congratulates Janet Goodman-Banks on receiving the Gerald Henderson Human Rights Award. The Henderson Award, named after the Lincoln Human Rights Commission's first director, is given to a person who epitomizes the commitment and resolve that Mr. Henderson displayed in seeking equal opportunity and justice for all.
Rev. Goodman-Banks is Executive Pastor of The Reach Out Christian Center, CEO of the "Women in the City" ministry, a foster parent for Christian Heritage and a tireless advocate of health care for all. She was recently appointed to the Mayor's Multicultural Advisory Board.
"Janet Goodman-Banks has been a tireless advocate for many causes in our community," said Larry Williams, Executive Director for the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights. "She has a genuine passion for people in need. Her nursing experience, kind heart and tremendous interpersonal skills make her a natural leader and friend for those who are less fortunate."
3.23.09
Christian Heritage Hosts InsideOut DadTM Training
Greg Austen from the National Fatherhood Initiative traveled from Virginia to Nebraska to train Department of Corrections employees and volunteers from across the state on the implementation of the InsideOut Dad curriculum. Larry Wayne, Deputy Director of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, chose to standardize InsideOut Dad as the parenting curriculum in eight correctional facilities. Christian Heritage hosted the training on February 11 and 12 for 20 DOC staff members and 22 volunteers.
The InsideOut Dad curriculum assists incarcerated fathers in remembering and addressing their past, helping them understand the impact of fathers, assessing their emotions and relationships, as well as understanding parenting, discipline and child development. The men learn how to be a dad on the inside and also prepare a reentry and reunification plan.
In March, a poster announcing the first InsideOut Dad class was displayed in one unit at the Lincoln Correctional Center; 32 dads signed up for the class. At the Nebraska State Penitentiary when the poster went up to recruit 15 dads for the first class, 50 responded. At the Tecumseh facility, 15 dads were sought for the first class and 85 fathers signed up.
8.27.08
Christian Heritage Accredited by National Financial Accountability Organization
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced today the accreditation of Christian Heritage of Walton, NE, a Christian organization committed to caring for Nebraska's abused and neglected children.