Social Services
Creighton University research shows fast-growing political divide over childhood vaccine policies
OMAHA — The political divide over childhood vaccinations surfaced before the COVID-19 virus. But partisan discord about them has grown faster than the hot-button issue of abortion. That’s according to research led by Omaha Creighton University’s Kevin Estep and newly published in the American Journal of Public Health. Estep, assistant professor in the Department of […]
Nebraska Attorney General now says he’ll explore whether the state was a victim of fraud in Saint Francis contract
LINCOLN – Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson indicated Friday he will evaluate the state’s legal options in pursuing funds that may have been fraudulently spent via the state’s contract with a Kansas foster care provider. Peterson responded to a request by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha to explore whether Saint Francis Ministries defrauded the […]
Nebraska officials react coolly to call for legal steps in Saint Francis Ministries case
LINCOLN — Nebraska officials reacted coolly to a call by State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh on Thursday to explore whether the State of Nebraska was defrauded during its failed, child welfare contract with Saint Francis Ministries. The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, which Cavanaugh asked to take some initial legal action, declined to comment, and a spokeswoman […]
Kansas foster care provider criticizes coverage while Nebraska lawmaker asks for fraud inquiry
TOPEKA — Kansas’ largest foster care contractor responded to Kansas Reflector reporting on the organization’s finances and litigation by pointing to a turnaround under current leadership and a willingness to cooperate with investigators. Saint Francis Ministries said statements published in an Aug. 12 story are “inaccurate” and “false” but wouldn’t identify specific statements in question. […]
New girls’ YRTC in Hastings gets 100% compliance with corrections standards
LINCOLN — The state’s new Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center for girls in Hastings recently earned a 100% compliance grade from a national corrections group, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Hastings center, which opened last year to replace the girls’ YRTC in Geneva, was found in compliance with 343 […]
City of Omaha reverses legal position, opens emergency rental aid to undocumented immigrants
OMAHA — The City of Omaha has reversed an earlier legal stance and now is opening federal emergency aid to all renters hurt by the pandemic — regardless of citizenship or U.S. legal status. The change of heart puts Omaha at odds with the opinion of the State of Nebraska and Gov. Pete Ricketts, yet […]
Omahans including Mayor Stothert are off to Carlentini, Sicily, to advance sister city “friendship” bond
OMAHA — Nearly 100 Omahans, including Mayor Jean Stothert, will be converging upon Carlentini, Sicily, over the next several days to advance a sister city connection with the motherland of many local families of Italian descent. Stothert will be meeting with Carlentini Mayor Guiseppe Steffio, her counterpart in that Italian city of about 17,000, which […]
Nebraska infectious disease authority predicts rough fall ahead ‘living with COVID’
LINCOLN – Americans could be in for a pandemic jolt this fall when it comes to COVID-19, with the nation less willing and less prepared to repel the highly contagious virus, according to a national authority on pandemics. By mid-August, fewer than 15% of U.S. citizens will have gotten a vaccination in the last six […]
Kansas foster care provider sues former leaders over alleged financial misconduct
TOPEKA — The former CEO, chief counsel and IT director for Saint Francis Ministries used their positions to enrich themselves and their friends as the charity neared financial insolvency, according to allegations made in state and federal lawsuits. The Salina-based foster care provider in court documents accused the trinity of overbilling for IT and legal […]
FBI moves to seize bank deposits in alleged $10 million fraud of Kansas foster care provider
TOPEKA — Federal prosecutors acting on disclosures of a whistleblower moved to seize $700,000 in a civil asset forfeiture case alleging a former information technology employee defrauded Saint Francis Ministries of millions of dollars while the nonprofit was under contract with the state of Kansas to provide foster care and adoption services. Federal court documents […]
Boutique YMCA co-locates with the Bison of new Buena Vista High School in Omaha
OMAHA — Teachers, counselors, cafeteria and other workers at Omaha’s new Buena Vista High School dropped in Friday to get acquainted with their new fitness-obsessed, tech-driven neighbor. That 2,800-square-foot “YMCA Express” workout space, co-located on the school’s 60th and L Streets campus, officially opens Monday. But faculty members were treated to tours and special demonstrations […]
Another suspected monkeypox case reported in Douglas County
The Douglas County Health Department on Monday reported that it is investigating the county’s fourth suspected case of monkeypox. That report raises the state’s total of presumed monkeypox cases to six — and marks the first case in Nebraska since the World Health Organization over the weekend declared the monkeypox virus a global health emergency. […]