LINCOLN- A state watchdog has raised concerns about an increase in serious injuries among children involved in Nebraska's child welfare system during the past year.

But Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Jennifer Carter said, in her latest annual report that was recently released, that the state has made improvements in dealing with two previous crises.

Those were the formerly troubled state institutions for juvenile offenders, called the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers, and the now-terminated contract with Saint Francis Ministries.

"In general, after two years of major system-level challenges ... the child welfare and YRTC systems appear to be more stable than they have been in over two years," Carter said. "However, the absence of crises does not equate to an absence of significant issues."

Carter said it was the highest number of serious injury and death cases since 2015 that her office is required by state law to investigate. All involved possible abuse or neglect. Her office is not required to look into deaths and injuries that occurred by chance.

Her office is still investigating the cases, she said, but pointed to the disruptions and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential factor behind the increase.

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