Community Response – Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department

Short-term support and connections to resources for families in Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne counties.

Community Response is a system of supports and services for children and families designed to prevent unnecessary entry into the child welfare system and high-end systems of care.

What is Community Response?

Community Response is a voluntary program that helps families who are willing to work to resolve crises, set goals, and access assistance. Our team partners with families to increase their safety and well-being while keeping the family intact.

Community Response is short term — typically lasting from one month up to three months — and focuses on connecting families with the right resources at the right time.

Our Services

Community Response can help families navigate and access the following supports:

DHHS Application Assistance

Help applying for Medicaid, SNAP, child care subsidy, and other state benefits.

Food Insecurity & Nutrition

Connections to local food pantries, WIC, school meal programs, and nutrition resources.

Housing & Utilities

Assistance with rent, utilities, shelter referrals, and transitional housing resources.

Childcare Resources

Referrals to licensed childcare providers and assistance with subsidy applications.

Mental Health Support

Referrals to counseling, substance use treatment, and crisis services.

Education & Parenting

Parenting classes, early childhood education referrals, and family literacy programs.

Transportation

Help identifying transportation options for medical appointments, work, and school.

Healthcare Access

Connections to primary care, dental care, and other health services in our region.

Social Determinants of Health

How we use the Social Determinants of Health to support you and your family.

At Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department, we understand that health is affected by more than medical care alone. Factors such as access to food, transportation, housing, financial stability, and family well-being can impact your health and quality of life.

To learn more about Social Determinants of Health, watch the video below:

Who We Serve

Community Response serves families with children in Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne counties who are:

Experiencing a temporary crisis affecting family stability
Willing to work voluntarily with our team to set goals and identify resources
Looking for short-term support to resolve a specific situation
Wanting to prevent involvement with the child welfare system

How It Works

Our process is simple and family-centered:

Referral — Families can be referred by community partners, schools, healthcare providers, or may self-refer.
Initial Meeting — A member of our team meets with the family to understand their situation, strengths, and goals.
Family-Led Planning — Together we identify what would be most helpful and create a simple plan.
Connection to Resources — We help families navigate and access community supports and services.
Follow-Up — We check in regularly to ensure goals are being met and adjust the plan as needed.

If you or a family you know could benefit from Community Response, please contact us directly. There’s no cost and no long application — just a conversation to see how we can help.

Community Response is voluntary, confidential, and free. We work with families, not in place of them — empowering parents and caregivers to build on their strengths.

If you or a family you know could benefit from Community Response, please contact us directly. There’s no cost and no long application — just a conversation to see how we can help.

Community Needs Survey

This brief This brief Community Needs Survey helps us better understand your needs and connect you and your family with available community resources and support services. Take the time and ask yourself…

In the past 6 months, have you not been able to pick up your medications or had to skip appointments for financial reasons?
In the past 6 months, you worried that food could run out before you got money to buy more.
In the last 6 months, has lack of reliable transportation kept you from medical appointments, meetings, work, or from getting things you need for daily living?
In the past 6 months, have you experienced additional stress due to your own or a family member’s alcohol or drug use?
In the past 6 months, have you experienced additional stress due to your own or a family member’s health status?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, please contact a Community Health Worker at 402-375-2200

How You Can Make a Difference in the Community

Become a part of the Wayne Family Coalition! We are a group of community partners in Wayne County. Our coalition works together to improve the lives of individuals, families, and children in the area.

Members of the Wayne Family Coalition include local businesses, organizations, government agencies, schools, non-profit groups, healthcare providers, mental health practitioners, and ministerial associations.

Join the Wayne Family Coalition and contact Pastor Teresa with the 1st Presbyterian Church at 402-375-2669.