The Safe and Healthy Families Court and the Safe and Healthy Families Initiative held their annual event on February 5, 2026, at the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. The gathering included members of the Nebraska Supreme Court, district and juvenile court judges, community partners, court staff, probation administration, and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Attendees discussed progress made by the court, reviewed data, and recognized achievements in domestic violence–informed practice.
The Safe and Healthy Families Court is a specialized problem-solving court that addresses domestic violence issues affecting families in Lancaster County Juvenile Court. It uses a multidisciplinary team approach that includes judicial oversight, targeted treatment services, and collaboration with community organizations to promote accountability and support for families.
A partnership with the University of Nebraska Center for Children, Families, and the Law provides data to evaluate outcomes. According to 2025 survey results, parents involved with this court report higher levels of procedural justice compared to traditional courts. Eighty-two percent said they felt treated with dignity and respect during their case; 93% indicated that the court acknowledged their positive efforts.
Since its approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court in February 2022, more than 200 children from over 100 families have participated in the program. The court has an 86% successful case closure rate compared to a 55% rate in traditional child welfare cases. The child-removal rate is also lower—59% versus 82% in traditional cases—demonstrating an emphasis on safety while aiming to keep families together when possible.
Participants engaged in an experiential activity called Difficult Choices to better understand decisions faced by survivors dealing with safety concerns and limited resources.
A highlight of the event was presenting the Bob Moyer Excellence in Practice Award. This award recognizes individuals who exemplify survivor-centered practice and system change within domestic violence work. Bryce Marker from BraveBe Child Advocacy Center received an Honorable Mention for her advocacy during multidisciplinary meetings.
Melanie Kirk, Legal Director at the Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, received this year’s Bob Moyer Excellence in Practice Award for her leadership in policy and advocacy related to domestic violence. She was noted for balancing survivor safety with offender accountability while considering broader system impacts.
Attendees reflected on Bob Moyer’s legacy as someone who encouraged critical thinking about complex problems: “Bob was remembered as someone who pushed others beyond surface-level answers, challenging them to think critically, ask difficult questions, and approach complex problems with calm, deliberate reasoning rather than reactive responses.” His influence was described as personal: “Bob helped professionals and emerging leaders develop confidence in their voices and clarity in their advocacy.” He stressed listening to survivors: “He emphasized the importance of listening to survivors and children and centering their experiences…”
The annual award presentation honors Moyer’s ongoing impact while recognizing current leaders like Kirk who continue his work. The event served as both a review of progress made so far and a reminder of continued commitment needed across Nebraska.
The State of Nebraska Judicial Branch supports such initiatives through educational outreach programs—including traveling oral arguments at schools—and maintains facilities statewide for public access (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/). Covering both urban and rural areas across 18 judicial districts (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), it delivers justice through a unified system led by seven Supreme Court justices along with other judges (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/). The branch emphasizes integrity, standardized procedures (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), support for self-represented litigants (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), electronic filing tools (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), community involvement (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), fair legal processes (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), mediation resources (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), guardianship information (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/), consistent rules statewide (https://nebraskajudicial.gov/)—all aimed at supporting equitable access throughout Nebraska.
