For Immediate Release

March 22, 2011
Contact: Bev Carlson
Director of Public Relations
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
bcarlson@LFSneb.org or (402) 978.5646, cell (402) 639.0957

Grand Opening Set for North Omaha Center for Healthy Families℠

A powerful new parenting resource for North Omaha families

3/28 MONDAY/Open House – Grand Opening 2:30-5:30pm (Inside the Center, southwest corner of Urban League building). Ribbon Cutting at 4:00pm.

March 22, 2011 (Omaha, Nebraska) – Parents and caregivers of young North Omaha families now have a powerful new resource to help raise happy and healthy children. Already, over 180 families are part of the North Omaha Center for Healthy Families℠ (NOCHF). 80% of these families include a pregnant or parenting teen.
 
The North Omaha Center for Healthy Families℠, an early intervention and prevention program of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, is located in the Urban League building at 30th and Lake Streets. The Center is modeled after successful Centers already established in Council Bluffs and Fremont. Center services are generally offered at no cost thanks to the generosity of community partners, grantors and donors.

The Centers have established that given essential skills and support, highly stressed parents and caregivers with limited resources will create healthier environments for their babies and toddlers, reducing the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.  

At NOCHF, case managers work with parents to determine which resources will create the best situation for the child. Through its expertise in both children services and behavioral health, LFS is uniquely qualified to assist these families in their needs even beyond the practical. For example, therapists are specially trained to recognize and treat parental depression, as well as specialized therapies that the child may need – especially young children who have been exposed to or are victims of trauma. Center staff members also work diligently to coordinate and connect with other established community resources.

“Our ultimate goal is having healthy, well-adjusted children prepared for first grade,” says Justin Dougherty, Young Families Initiative Program Supervisor. “A child who has witnessed something traumatic, been neglected, or worse – will have a harder time focusing and being engaged when it comes time to sit in a classroom.  Our long-term vision is a reduction in abuse and truancy, which research clearly shows increases the chances of long-term success in school and life.”

“Each situation is different,’ says Center Coordinator, Michelle Troxclair.  “We work to meet each parent where they are, to stabilize their situation so that they can then provide appropriate support and nurturing for their child.  We are learning more each day about the importance of those early childhood experiences. We want to help these young parents create good ones for their children.” Troxclair, who grew up in North Omaha, says she’s hopeful about the change the Center can make within the community. “One family at a time,” she says.

The Center staff also includes a Fatherhood Specialist, who will work specifically to help young fathers develop their parenting skills and increase their involvement in the lives of their children. And through partnership with Building Bright Futures, the NOCHF provides support for young parents to complete their high school education.

The vision for the Center has been evolving for years, but the urgency became very clear after a 2007 Omaha World-Herald report showing that Omaha has the highest poverty rate in the nation for African-American children: 59.4%. That’s greater than the risk in Detroit, Chicago or New York City. Research shows that children in poverty are at greater risk of experiencing emotional, behavioral or developmental conditions.

“The Urban League of Nebraska (ULN) is proud to be hosting Lutheran Family Service’s (LFS) Center for Healthy Families℠,” says Tom Warren, ULN Executive Director and former Omaha Police Chief. “The programs administered by LFS are very compatible with the services that we provide. The investment in early childhood development will pay significant dividends as we equip the program participants with the skills that are necessary to become effective parents.”

The Center offers these major areas of support:

Young Families Incentive Program

Parents and caregivers earn points by engaging in healthy activities including immunizations, well-baby check-ups, parenting classes and completing educational goals. Points earned are redeemed for new infant and toddler items at the Center “store”.  

Early Childhood and Young People’s Therapies (ages 0-21)

• Specialized early childhood therapies for children 0-6, including those who have experienced  trauma
• Specialized assessment, evaluation and treatment for children, teens, parents and their families.
• Behavioral Health therapies (up to age 21), including mental health counseling, anger management and treatment for drug and alcohol issues.

Family Life Education and Support

• Nurturing Parenting Program® - a 16-week teaching and support program endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice (with free childcare)
• Teen and Young Parents Program; parent education and training to support the young parent’s attainment of their high school diploma
• Fatherhood Initiatives – to support and educate young fathers
• Case management for pregnant and parenting teens
• KidSquad – help for behaviorally-challenged young children and their families – a Building Bright Futures collaboration

Pregnancy and Adoption Counseling

• Confidential, free counseling before and up to six months following delivery.
• Maternal Depression screening and counseling

Lutheran Family Services is a statewide, community-based organization which impacts over 35,000 individuals annually, from 31 offices in 18 cities in the areas of behavioral health, children services and community services. More at www.lfsneb.org.