Aid for families in crisis

LINCOLN — Two familiar Nebraska agencies have won state contracts to create new services for families of troubled children.

Nebraska lawmakers approved and funded the new services in response to the problems highlighted by the state’s former safe haven law.

Boys Town will operate a statewide help line and set up a peer support and guidance program to help people dealing with children who have emotional, behavioral and mental problems.

The help line will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will help people deal with immediate crises and provide referrals for additional help.

The family navigator program will connect help line callers with people who can guide them through the system. The guides will be family members who have experience with youngsters with emotional disorders.

Lutheran Family Services will provide a variety of support services for families who adopt or become guardians to former foster children.

Among the services planned are case management, family and youth support groups, counseling, short-term respite care and mentoring.

The agency is working with Nebraska Children’s Home Society and subcontracting with the Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association and KVC Behavioral Health Services.

All the services are to start Jan. 1.

Before Nebraska lawmakers put an age limit in the safe haven law, more than 30 children were dropped off at hospitals by their parents and guardians. Most were teenagers or preteens. Many of the parents and guardians said they did not know where else to turn for help.

Kerry Winterer, CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said the agencies chosen have proven track records.

The safe haven services were protected from cuts during the special legislative session just completed.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com

« Metro/Region

Share