LR 480

LR480  LR480
2026  2026
                             ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
                                      SECOND SESSION
                   LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 480
Introduced by Bostar, 29.
PURPOSE:   The purpose of this resolution is to propose an interim study to
examine how public resources for youth development programming are currently
distributed     across   Nebraska,    identify        gaps    in   availability    and   access,
particularly in rural areas and communities with fewer resources, and develop
recommendations    for     ensuring   those     resources      work     more   efficiently    and
effectively for youth, families, and communities.
    In many Nebraska communities, the demand for quality youth development
programming far outpaces current availability, leaving working families without
reliable options for keeping children safe and supported during out-of-school
hours. Nebraska parents of 144,606 children want afterschool programs, yet only
28,828 children are currently enrolled, meaning 4 in 5 Nebraska children cannot
access these programs. An additional 1,431 Nebraska youth are currently waiting
for a mentor. Without a clearer understanding of how existing public resources
are being deployed, this gap will intensify, turning today's shortage into
tomorrow's crisis.
    Current     resources    directed    towards      youth    development     programming    are
distributed across multiple funding streams without a comprehensive picture of
where they are going, which communities they are reaching, and where critical
gaps remain.
    The study shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (1) Mapping existing state and federal funding streams directed toward
youth development programming, including funding administered through the State
Department of Education, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services,
and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, and collaborating with
organizations    already    engaged     in   fiscal    mapping     or   resource   distribution
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analysis to avoid duplication and leverage work currently underway;
    (2)     Assessing    the    availability      and   geographic      distribution      of    youth
development programs across Nebraska;
    (3) Identifying gaps between the demand for youth development programming
and current program capacity, including the number of youth on waitlists or in
communities without available programs;
    (4)     Examining    the    impact     of     accessible,      quality    youth   development
programming    on   working     families,       local   employers,     and   community    economic
vitality;
    (5) Reviewing best practices from other states regarding public investment
in youth development programming and strategies for maximizing the impact of
limited public resources;
    (6)     Evaluating   opportunities      to     better      align   and   coordinate   existing
funding streams to reduce duplication and improve outcomes; and
    (7) Recommending a sustainable, scalable framework for public investment
in youth development programming that ensures all Nebraska communities have
access to quality programs.
    In    conducting     this    interim    study,       the    Education     Committee    of     the
Legislature may confer with the State Department of Education, the Nebraska
Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Department of Economic
Development, youth development program providers, coalitions and organizations
serving youth, organizations currently engaged in fiscal mapping or resource
distribution analysis related to youth programming, local school districts,
employers, working families, youth, and other stakeholders.
    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE HUNDRED NINTH
LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, SECOND SESSION:
    1. That the Education Committee of the Legislature shall be designated to
conduct an interim study to carry out the purposes of this resolution.
    2. That the committee shall upon the conclusion of its study make a report
of its findings, together with its recommendations, to the Legislative Council
or Legislature.
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