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$7 million to save Nebraska child welfare wins approval

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have approved a $7 million cash transfer to prevent the state's child welfare system from running out of money by mid-April.

Senators approved the funding measure on Tuesday. It now heads to Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Lawmakers have blamed the Department of Health and Human Services for the funding shortfall, saying past administrators denied that they needed help last year when senators asked them.

A department official told lawmakers the shortfall was caused by a variety of factors, including higher rates for foster care services, higher-than-expected mileage costs, unpaid bills and the loss of some federal foster care payments.

The federal government demanded reimbursement from the state for child welfare expenses submitted by a private contractor that weren't properly documented.

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