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LEGAL CUSTODY
Nebraska Boys Ranch contracts with the Nebraska
Department of Health and Human Services to provide
quality care for youth who are at risk and in need of
out of home placement. Legal custody remains with the
NDHHS or the Courts.
FEES OR PURCHASE OF SERVICES
There is a monthly fee for cost of care, from the first
day a boy arrives at NBR, until he is dismissed. This
fee is determined in contractual negotiations between
NBR and HHS. Dismissal is usually following completion
of the levels system, but can be due to termination for
not being successful in the program for varying reasons.
Runaway youth are figured on a basis outlined in our
contract with HHS. If parents are able to pay, or are
ordered to pay part of the cost of care, arrangements
must be made between the courts, the referring agency
and the family. NBR looks to the agency, not the family,
for the purchase of services. We do not consider
ourselves a collection agency.
PARENTAL CONTACT
Boys and families are encouraged to maintain contact and
make efforts to improve relationships. NBR has always
been in the business of reunifying families and will
facilitate family relations efforts. Positive phone
calls, letters of encouragement and positive news from
home are very effective in helping boys be successful in
the program. Families are also encouraged to visit the
NBR campus. Boys are scheduled for home visits at
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, spring and fall
(school) breaks, his birthday, at the end of the school
year, just before the school year starts, and July 4th.
Special home visits for such occasions as family
reunions, vacations, weddings and graduations will be
considered, based on the boy’s effort and progress
within the program. Emergency visits for serious illness
or family deaths will also be arranged. All home visits
must be approved by the placing agency.
LENGTH OF PROGRAM (see “FAQ - HOW
LONG WILL MY SON BE PLACED AT NBR?”)
GOALS WHILE IN PLACEMENT
The NBR program is designed to move a boy through a
program and return to a placement determined by the
placing agency or courts. As a part of this program,
goals are established by various sources, such as NDHHS,
Probation, Courts, parents, the boy, and psychological
evaluations. Issues covered in such plans include, but
are not limited to, reunification, behaviors, school
issues, medical needs, drug/alcohol, and special
interests. These goals are discussed and established at
various times in a boys program and reviewed on a
regular schedule. Boys should be reminded regularly that
they are evaluated on a monthly basis, and progress on
established goals is part of the criteria for successful
completion of the program.
REPORTING A BOY’S PROGRESS
As stated in the previous section, a boy’s progress is
measured and reported on a monthly basis. Through the
use of the levels system (use of points), staff
observation, and boy performance, NBR staff produces a
monthly report that is shared with the placing agency.
Periodically, this information is shared with the courts
to further evaluate and measure progress. NBR requests
that the agency most closely working with the family
keep us informed of significant events that might impact
a boy and his performance while in placement. Most
often, agencies and courts base their placement decision
on the reports received from NBR.
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