LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says Nebraska's foster care system can do more to ensure that foster children have normal life experiences, such as participating in sports or having sleepovers with friends.
The report released Thursday was compiled by a group that includes current and former foster children, child welfare advocates, foster parents and the Department of Health and Human Services.
The report says foster children face greater barriers to having normal childhood experiences because of safety restrictions, such as background checks for sleepovers. The cost of activities and lack of transportation were also cited as barriers.
Jennifer Rodriguez, executive director of the San Francisco-based Youth Law Center and a former foster child, says children in the system should have a support system while being allowed to make mistakes.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.