The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Center on Children, Families and the Law are partnering to provide culturally informed training to Child and Family Services specialists serving Native American children and families.
The project, “Bridging the Gap for Native American Children,” received seed funding from the university's Engagement Collaborative, part of the N2025 Strategic Plan, to support university-community engagement that contributes to the public good.
The Center on Children, Families and the Law will work with the Omaha Nation on the pilot project and hopes to create training resources with the Ponca, Santee Sioux and Winnebago tribes in the future.
“We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial ...,” said DeAnna Parker, Omaha Nation member. “We are prepared to leverage our network of experts to assist in finding better ways to help our Native families navigate and be supported by the Nebraska child welfare system.”
The project is facilitated by co-principal investigators Sarah Melichar and Eve Brank at the Center on Children, Families and the Law, which is part of the university's College of Arts and Sciences.
