Social Services
No interruption for now to DHHS services for Nebraska ‘Women, Infants and Children’ program
LINCOLN — Nebraska families receiving benefits from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program should not be affected by the pending federal government shutdown, at least not for now, the state Department of Health and Human Services said Friday. In Nebraska, WIC each month provides healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition information and referrals to about […]
Women workers could bear economic brunt as federal child care funding ends
A huge chunk of pandemic relief funding that kept child care programs afloat for the past few years is set to run out Saturday, and policy advocates say the economic impact will be profound, with the ripple effect hurting labor force participation and consumer spending at a time when the country is still trying to […]
UNMC and Nebraska Medicine open hub to help North Omahans reduce health disparities
OMAHA — Shanda Ross recalls sitting on her porch stoop as a kid, surrounded by a maze of North Omaha public housing units where violence and social ills had become all too familiar. That landscape near 30th and Lake Streets has since shifted dramatically, with a big church having risen on Ross’ old stomping grounds […]
Nebraska lawmaker considers legislation for advanced fire alarms meant to save lives
LINCOLN — A Nebraska lawmaker is looking to potentially require more advanced fire alarms in residential homes that he said Tuesday could save lives. State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha introduced Legislative Resolution 239 to examine the feasibility and benefits of requiring wireless interconnected fire alarms in residential dwellings, similar to a Norfolk, Nebraska, ordinance. The […]
Platte Institute awards microgrants to Nebraska groups that help integrate former inmates into workforce
OMAHA — Six Nebraska organizations that help former inmates tap into jobs and progress in their communities have been awarded “microgrants” from the Platte Institute. The nonprofit Institute said the funds are rooted in its mission to remove barriers to growth and opportunity, especially in workforce development. CEO Jim Vokal said the grants underscore what […]
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown, White House says
WASHINGTON — As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, […]
Largest national Hispanic organization blasts Omaha City Council for ‘betrayal of trust’
The nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic organization is blasting the Omaha City Council for not appointing a Latino to fill a South Omaha council vacancy, calling the action a “betrayal of trust.” The League of United Latin American Citizens, a volunteer-driven coalition based in Washington, D.C., announced Sunday the launch of “¡OYEME OMAHA! Hear Me […]
State watchdog report points out concerns, strides in Nebraska child welfare system
LINCOLN — A government watchdog this year wrapped up investigations into the deaths or serious injury of five youths who in some way were under the State of Nebraska’s eye — including a toddler who became severely sick from eating cannabis. Results of the probes, along with recommendations, were part of the annual report from […]
Nebraska mom/felon takes personal message to Capitol Hill, seeking shift in food aid eligibility
LINCOLN — Kayla Tobey — a Lincoln mom, college student and drug felon — stepped out of her comfort zone and onto Capitol Hill this week to try to convince federal officials to make a change she and others haven’t had luck doing on the state level. “Here I am, a small-town Nebraska girl in […]
Nebraska Legislature hires outside lawyer to advise about work of inspectors general
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Legislature has hired an outside lawyer to help senators find a legislative solution to last month’s opinion by the state attorney general’s that limited lawmakers’ oversight of the state’s child welfare and prison systems. Speaker of the Legislature John Arch and State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, chair of the Executive […]
Reignited process to award $225 million in grants to North, South Omaha has unlikely critics
OMAHA — The main architects of Nebraska’s Economic Recovery Act — an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar effort to lift the state’s poorest areas — are unhappy with how a state agency is carrying out the latest and perhaps most critical phase. “I think people are more confused now,” said State Sen. Terrell McKinney, who shepherded the overall […]
State lawmaker challenges Gov. Pillen to act on “danger” lurking at state psychiatric hospital
LINCOLN — State Sen. Carol Blood has stepped in on behalf of workers and patients at the Lincoln Regional Center, saying that assaults, equipment needs and mandatory overtime add up to unsafe conditions at the state psychiatric hospital. The Bellevue lawmaker has challenged Gov. Jim Pillen to act swiftly, noting that he is aware and […]