The Douglas County Board voted Tuesday to allocate $2 million of federal coronavirus relief funds to mental health services, after rescinding the money for a mobile command center for the Sheriff’s Office.
The board also approved a contract with the Omaha Community Foundation for the nonprofit fundraising group to dispense $20 million of federal relief aid to community organizations. Of that, $10 million will go to social service nonprofits and $10 million to arts and culture groups.
The money for mental health and the nonprofits comes from the CARES Act passed by Congress. The federal government sent $166 million to Douglas County to distribute to itself, the City of Omaha and other local governments and entities for COVID-19-related expenses.
Earlier, the County Board had voted to allocate $1.85 million to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to buy a mobile command center. But Sheriff Tim Dunning dropped the request. Board member Mary Ann Borgeson urged colleagues to spend the allocation on mental health services instead, such as mobile health crisis teams modeled on the Eugene, Oregon-based CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets).
Borgeson said Tuesday that she and others, including officials of Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, are researching that program and talking with community providers about other services.
“We’ll be bringing back a plan on that, but it definitely will have further discussion with this,” Borgeson said.
The County Board voted unanimously to allocate $2 million as she requested.
“This is not defunding,” said board member Mike Boyle, who had opposed funding the mobile command center. “We’re redirecting, we’re directing money to help people with what’s actually happening in the community.”
Our best staff photos of August 2020
Football season returns

Millard West takes the field for the start of the Elkhorn South vs. Millard West football game at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Elkhorn South won the game 30-28.
Football season returns

Millard West cheerleaders perform before the start of the Elkhorn South vs. Millard West football game at Millard West High School in Omaha on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Elkhorn South won the game 30-28.
Volunteer

Chester Cavitte sweeps the sidewalk in front of Dreamland Park on north 24th Street on Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
Heron

A heron flies over the Elkhorn River on Tuesday, August 25, 2020.
Protest

SeaSea Stark of Omaha raises her fist at a protest at 72nd and Dodge Streets.
Vet Funeral

A member of the Air Force Honor Guard holds a folded flag at the funeral for Nicholas Baker at the Omaha National Cemetery on Friday, August 21, 2020.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha's Elma N'For, left, celebrates a goal by Sebastian Contreras in the first half to tie the match against Forward Madison FC.
Lake Fun

A man wakeboards through light fog last week on Carter Lake.
Ernie Chambers

About 100 people show their support for State Sen. Ernie Chambers on Thursday, the last day of his last legislative session, outside the Nebraska State Capitol.
Softball Preview

Papillion-La Vista pitcher Jordyn Bahl, left, and catcher Brooke Dumont have played together since they were freshmen, going 106-4 in their first three seasons. “They know what the other one is thinking without having to say anything. They’ve always had that,” coach Todd Petersen said.
Homeschool

Tesla Badger, 4, plays at home, which is also the village co-op. Her mom, Crystal Badger, volunteered use of her home in exchange for child care. Mary Ensz created this mural on the basement wall.
Education Co-op

Sofia Jawed-Wessel makes time for art every day with her children, from left, Laith, Haizel and Paloma. The family keeps to a tight schedule.
Old Market Protest

Connie Jones, of Omaha, and about 20 other protesters call for defunding the police and supporting Black Lives Matter in the Old Market in Omaha on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Old Market Protest

About 20 protesters call for defunding the police and supporting Black Lives Matter in the Old Market in Omaha on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Disc Golf

Ben Peters takes advantage of the mild weather to practice his disc golf putting at Elmwood park on Monday.
Educators Mask Mandate

Bruce Jones, right, a middle school teacher, and his husband, Taylor Frank, carry signs during a Monday demonstration at Memorial Park by Omaha area educators demanding a mask mandate before returning to classrooms.
Educators Mask Mandate

More than a hundred people attend a Monday demonstration at Memorial Park by Omaha area educators demanding a mask mandate before returning to classrooms.
Bounce House

Charlotte Nunn, right, celebrates her 4th birthday with a bounce house and her sister, Lydia Nunn, 2, in their Omaha front yard on Monday.
Union Omaha

The sun sets over the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha on won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha players celebrate on the field following the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha players kneel and raise their fists during a moment of silence for racial justice before the start of the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday, August 01, 2020. It was Union Omaha's inaugural home game, part of a shortened season because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Union Omaha won the game 1-0.
Union Omaha

Union Omaha's Rashid Nuhu and North Texas SC's Ronaldo Damus come down to the ground after colliding in midair near the goal in the North Texas SC vs. Union Omaha soccer game at Werner Park in Papillion on Saturday.
Pinnacle Bank Championship

Ryan Schaake, left, watches his son Alex Schaake putt on the first hole during the Pinnacle Bank Championship at The Club at Indian Creek on Thursday.
Pinnacle Bank Championship

Seth Reeves kisses his trophy after winning the Pinnacle Bank Championship on Sunday, August 02, 2020.
Sourdough bread baking

Ferial Pearson uses rice flour to highlight her intricate designs on sourdough bread. The UNO professor has been making bread while at home social distancing.
Grind It

Jared Beckenhauer skateboards in Seymour Smith Park on Wednesday in Omaha.
Metro Baseball

The hat falls off of Five Points Bank's Danny Spongberg , left, after he tagged out KB Building Services' Cole Payton after Payton got picked off in the third inning during the American Legion Metro tournament final at Millard South on Friday, July 31, 2020. It was one of two pickoffs in the inning.
Metro Baseball

Five Points Bank players celebrate their 6-3 win over KB Building Services in the Metro postseason tournament final Friday at Millard South. “It was nice, especially for our five seniors,” Five Points Bank coach Pat Mooney said.
Search

Omaha Police Officer Dan Torres and his police dog Peace search for evidence Friday after a man was fatally shot near 45th and Miami Streets.
chris.burbach@owh.com, 402-444-1057