United Way of the Midlands awards $110,000 to Nebraska Children’s Home Society to fund family support programs

Funding supports self-sufficiency programs

Nebraska Children’s Home Society (NCHS) is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded a $110,000 grant from United Way of the Midlands. Thanks to the generosity of United Way donors, NCHS will continue two critical Family Support programs based out of its Children and Families Center located in North Omaha, Pathways to the Future and Healthy Families America® Home Visitation.

Pathways to the Future empowers families towards self-sufficiency by helping them eliminate barriers to success through academic support, career planning and parenting education. 

“The primary goal of Pathways to the Future is to improve the capacity of families to raise children to lead productive and fulfilling lives,” Director of the Children & Family Center Maria Nielsen said. “We support, educate and empower families through neighborhood-based services.”

 United Way funding will provide comprehensive case management and referral assistance to 200 individuals, accessing existing family support, early childhood education and educational services, as well as evaluate the long-term impact on child well-being and family stability. 

The NCHS Healthy Families America® Home Visitation program serves low-income pregnant women, age 19 and older, living in Douglas County. The program employs trained Family Resource Specialists (FRS) to conduct weekly home visits with parents to teach them about the development of their child, from before birth through their fifth birthday. The specialists support each family’s goals and connect them with resources in the community to meet their needs.

 “We are grateful for the support of United Way for the Midlands,” NCHS CEO Lana Temple-Plotz said. “United Way of the Midlands is a strong partner in helping to end the cycle of poverty for the families we serve.”