Photo by McCook Daily Gazette Julie Rogers

A new inspector has been hired to "enhance accountability and facilitate reform in the child welfare system," state officials said Tuesday.

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The Legislature created the Inspector General position earlier this year and gave it jurisdiction to investigate both state and private agencies in the state's child welfare system.

Julie Rogers has been selected to fill the new position. Rogers has a law degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law and extensive experience in juvenile justice and child welfare.

She is currently the Community Planning Coordinator for the Juvenile Justice Institute at UNO. She was formerly employed as a policy analyst for the Nebraska Community Corrections Council.

Rogers was also a counsel to the Legislature's Judiciary Committee for nearly three years under the direction of Sen. Kermit Brashear of Omaha, who later became Speaker of the Legislature.

The position of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare was created after a long investigation into the failed child welfare system reforms that were authorized by Gov. Dave Heineman.

The Inspector General will be affiliated with the Nebraska Ombudsman's Office, and thus a part of the legislative branch controlled by the Legislature, not the Governor.

Rogers will officially begin the job July 23. Her first task is to receive training and certification as an inspector general.

Sen. Kathy Campbell, chairwoman of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee, and Sen. John Wightman, chairman of the Legislature's Executive Board, approved the appointment of Rogers.