The $12 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will fund implementation of the integrated service model in Nebraska.

The System of Care is a framework for integrating mental health services and supports for children and youth who have a serious emotional disturbance and their families. It improves access to a full array of coordinated community-based services. It is also identified in the DHHS Business Plan as a priority.

“It is important that we infuse the system of care framework at state, regional and local levels to be effective. This will allow us to meet youth and family needs more efficiently,” said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health for DHHS, who noted that the division partnered with the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and other organizations to produce the System of Care framework. “If someone is receiving services from Behavioral Health, Probation and Education, for instance, having all partners at the same table including the youth and family will lead to the most effective outcomes.”

Click here to read more about the grant.

A three-year, $607,000 grant has been awarded to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services by U.S.D.A.’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to improve processes and technology for programs served by ACCESSNebraska.

The grant will fund the development of three projects in 2017.

“With the help of this grant, our service to Nebraska’s most vulnerable citizens through ACCESSNebraska can continue to improve customer service,” said Governor Pete Ricketts. “DHHS has turned around the services offered through ACCESSNebraska in the past year, which is key to their mission of helping Nebraskans live better lives.”

Click here to learn more about the grant..