The Foster Care Review Office has hired the interim president and CEO of PromiseShip, the former contract holder that oversaw the child welfare and foster care systems in Douglas and Sarpy counties, to lead the office.
The review office hired attorney Monika Gross as its new executive director, effective May 4, to replace Kim Hawekotte, who served in the position seven years. She left to become the deputy county administrator over Douglas County Juvenile Justice services.
Gross will begin some transition work in mid-April.
The Foster Care Review Office is an independent state agency created in 1982 and not affiliated with HHS, the courts or any other child welfare entity. Its role is to independently track children in out-of-home care, review children’s cases, collect and analyze data related to the children and make recommendations on conditions and outcomes for Nebraska’s children in out-of-home care, including any needed corrective actions.
People are also reading…
“We feel fortunate to have found someone with the skills, experience and passion that Monika Gross brings to the position and are excited about the possibilities before usâ€, said Peggy Snurr, chairwoman for the review office advisory committee.
Gross has more than 15 years' experience in Nebraska’s child welfare system, including eight years as an attorney with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and nine years with PromiseShip. For the past six months, she has led the organization.Ìý
Snurr said Gross has "exceptional knowledge, along with a strong passion and commitment to improving conditions for Nebraska’s children in out-of-home care."Â
Under Gross, the office will begin a new strategic-planning process this fall, Snurr said.
Gross said the data collected and reported by the Foster Care Review Office can help tell the stories of children in Nebraska’s foster care system to drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for children and families.
"I look forward to building on the great work done by the FCRO and continuing the passionate advocacy for the best interest of Nebraska’s children," she said.