Thanks to this generous grant, the agency will be able to fund a full-time client engagement specialist for its Nebraska Behavioral Health programs, which provides therapeutic services to treat current mental health and substance use issues, manage chronic illnesses, and intervene earlier to limit occurrences through mental health counseling, education, and prevention services.
HFS’s Professional Counseling and Behavioral Health programs serve clients in Nebraska and Iowa. These programs are designed to improve the psychological, emotional, and social functioning of individuals, children, and families through an integrated and comprehensive system of professional therapeutic services, as well as give them the skills and knowledge necessary to overcome addiction.
With the help of this grant, HFS’s Nebraska Professional Counseling/Behavioral Health programs can continue to assist clients in abstaining from substance use, to establish healthy living environments, and to achieve behavioral, emotional, and/or attitudinal changes to improve their overall well-being.
The Heartland Family Service Professional Counseling and Behavioral Health programs help clients like Cassandra, whose perilous home life wrought with domestic violence caused her to delve into excessive drinking and substance use to deal with the pain she felt. After escaping the abusive situation she was in, Cassandra found help by participating in Mental Health Counseling and Substance Use Treatment programs. With all of her effort and the help from all the program staff who assisted her, Cassandra has remained sober and has regular visits with her children.
“Heartland Family Service is so thankful to the City of Omaha and United Way of the Midlands for this generous ARPA grant,” said John Jeanetta, President & CEO of Heartland Family Service. “These funds will play a pivotal role in helping us to continue offering our life-changing services to those in need as our Nebraska Behavioral Health programs work to recover from the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
About United Way of the Midlands:
For the past 99 years, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has used its community-wide perspective to identify local needs that are going unseen or unmet – and how it can partner with corporate, government organizations, nonprofits and donors to tackle them. Today, UWM remains committed to uniting our community’s caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow. It invests donor dollars in more than 100 local nonprofit programs that, together, form a circle of support around our community. These programs are addressing pressing social and economic disparities and providing the essentials families need to thrive, such as healthy food, a safe place to go after school and job support.
About Heartland Family Service:
Since 1875, Heartland Family Service has responded to the needs of our area’s most vulnerable children and families. Last year, our agency connected with over 140,000 individuals through direct services, education, and outreach. Our programs serve individuals of all ages — from infants in our Family Works program to seniors in our Generations Community Center. We operate from 19 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. We provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community through the following program areas: Child & Family Well-Being, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability.
