Lori Rodriquez-Fletcher, LICSW Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

04/07/2026

OT is OT, so why not just do it at school and make life easier, right? But here’s the scoop:

School-based OT is educationally driven.

It’s only provided if the child’s disability is impacting their ability to access or participate in their education. The OT’s job in this setting is to support function within the school environment, like:
• Holding a pencil to write
• Sensory supports
• Using scissors during class projects
• Organizing materials or managing transitions

It’s not about treating all developmental concerns, just the ones that interfere with educational access.

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Outpatient OT is medically based.

This focuses on overall development and function, not just how the child does at school. It covers:
• Sensory processing challenges at home and in the community
• Fine motor delays that may not affect schoolwork (yet)
• Feeding concerns, dressing, toileting, self-regulation, etc.

Even if a child doesn’t qualify for school OT (because their delays don’t impact school performance enough), they might still have real functional delays that need outpatient support.

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So why can’t school OT be used just for convenience?

Because it’s legally tied to educational necessity. It’s not meant to replace medical services, and schools aren’t allowed to provide therapy “just in case” or “to make life easier” even if we wish they could!

04/03/2026

“Some days are heavy, but social workers continue with quiet courage.”

04/02/2026

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Play therapy help children feel safe and find their voice.

04/02/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

At NOVA, we stand with survivors, honor their strength, and recommit to building a world rooted in support, justice, and healing. Awareness is just the beginning. Action is what creates change. Join us this month as we uplift voices, share resources, and advocate for a future free from violence.

03/31/2026

ALLIANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT ON SEXTORTION TARGETING JUVENILES

The Alliance Police Department is issuing a public safety alert to inform parents, guardians, and young people about the increasing threat of sextortion — a serious online crime that continues to target juveniles across the country.

Sextortion occurs when an individual, often posing as a peer on social media, manipulates a juvenile into sharing explicit photos or videos. Once those images are obtained, the offender threatens to distribute them unless the victim provides money, gift cards, or additional content. Law enforcement has recently observed a rise in cases where artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to generate or manipulate images that falsely depict victims in explicit situations — meaning a juvenile does not need to have shared any real images to become a target.

Offenders frequently use platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and other messaging applications to make contact, and threats can escalate within minutes of initial communication.

What Parents and Guardians Should Know:

Offenders often pose as someone close in age to gain the trust of their victims.

Fake, stolen, or AI-generated images may be used as leverage against juveniles.

Threats and demands can begin within minutes of first contact.

Victims frequently feel embarrassed or fearful, which can prevent them from coming forward.

Warning Signs to Watch For:

Sudden secrecy surrounding phone or social media use.

Emotional distress following online activity.

Requests for money, gift cards, or unusual financial transactions.

Visible fear or panic related to online interactions.

Recommended Steps If You or Your Child Is Affected:

Talk openly with your children about online safety and the risks of sharing personal images.

Encourage reporting — reassure juveniles that they will not be in trouble for coming forward.

Do not comply with the offender's demands.

Preserve all evidence, including messages, usernames, and screenshots.

Report the incident to law enforcement immediately.

The Alliance Police Department takes these cases seriously and remains committed to protecting the safety and well-being of the community's youth. If you or your child has been targeted, please contact the Alliance Police Department at (308) 762-4955 or reach out to your local law enforcement agency.

Incidents may also be reported through the following resources:

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.ic3.gov

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – CyberTipline: www.cybertipline.org

Even if images have been shared or manipulated, victims are not alone. Help is available, and reporting these crimes plays a critical role in preventing further victimization.

03/28/2026

Katherine “Kate” Batt, PLMHP, PCMSW attended the Family Centered Treatment (FCT) National Conference in Maryland this past week. I am so proud of her and all the work she does. I am proud to be her supervisor and so grateful for our partnerships to bring this much needed service to the panhandle.

03/26/2026

The Red Cross has opened a shelter in response to a wildfire and the evacuation of Ashby, at Hyannis High School: 332 E NE-2, Hyannis, NE 69350.

Trained Red Cross volunteers are ready to provide care and comfort to those impacted. Everyone is welcome at Red Cross shelters.

03/25/2026

After nearly four years in foster care- yes, nearly four years- we had a long-awaited adoption hearing. I've been working with child welfare cases for most of my career, but certain ones just hit differently. I've been with these kids through the worst of the worst and the best of the best. It was an emotional day, but I am honored to be part of their life stories. Adoption isn't a fix-all and doesn't erase life prior. The trauma, grief and loss is still there, but now they have parents to support their ongoing healing journey and provide the permanency they need and deserve. Being a child and family therapist is hard work, but it’s important work. Today, we celebrate adoption, and later this week I celebrate reunification with another family. And so, I continue to work alongside families and advocate for different needs ❤️

03/24/2026

Research is shifting from a deficit view of trauma to a resilience-based view that emphasizes capacity for recovery and growth.

Positive experiences can help “override” or mitigate the long-term effects of early adversity. Those who had the most positive childhood experiences were 72% less likely to suffer from poor mental health than those who had the fewest, the research found

Dive deeper with us: https://bit.ly/4djNNT3

03/23/2026

03/18/2026

03/14/2026

With all the fires in Nebraska and surrounding areas, I thought I would share some resources from our CPP family 💚 These are free resources to help parents and children. They are available in English and Spanish.

Free resource for families who have experienced wildfires developed with NCTSN