Emotional Supports / Resources

To find links to the following resources, click on the underlined titles.

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National resources

  • eParent
      • This organization offers interactive multimedia accounts on Facebook and Twitter as well as a blog and online publication that offer practical advice and emotional support to families with children with special needs.
      • See what else they can offer in the Informational Resources section.
  • Head Start/Early Head Start (Lincoln, ESU 4, ESU 5, ESU 6)
      • Early Head Start is a federally-funded program offered to income-eligible pregnant women, income-eligible families with a child under three years of age, and teen parents. To pregnant women, it offers emotional support, links to a medical home, and assistance in building a safe and healthy home environment. To families, it offers opportunities for social activities and connection with other families, weekly home visits, and family support on an individual basis.
      • Head Start is a program offered to income-eligible families who have a child that is 3 or 4 years old by July 31st. Families receive monthly home visits that offer education and resources. Children are eligible to attend Head Start preschool at no cost to families, which offer a nurturing environment, and opportunities for the child to enhance their language skills, develop self-confidence and respect for others, and develop social skills.
      • Depending on funding, families MAY be able to participate in these programs, even if they likely will not qualify based on income.
      • See what else these programs offer in the Material Resources and the Informational Resources sections.
  • Healthy Families of America
      • This is a voluntary home visitation program for pregnant women and children from birth to three years of age. It serves to educate parents about pregnancy, infant care, child development, bonding and attachment, nutrition, and ideas for how to promote a child's development as a parent. They also refer families and assist them in applying to other governmental or community services.
      • They offer weekly, biweekly, or monthly home visits depending on the child's age.
      • Families can be referred to Healthy Families through community agencies or through other families and acquaintances. To receive services, families must complete a parent survey and achieve a certain score based on parental characteristics such as protective and compensatory experiences and adverse childhood experiences.

Nebraska resources

  • PTI Nebraska
      • Parent Training and Information (PTI) is a great resource for both families and service providers. It offers encouragement and support to parents in their leadership roles and contacts of other parents with children with a disability that a parent can talk with. It also offers handouts about Social Emotional Tips for Families with Infants AND Social Emotional Tips for Providers Caring For Infants (such as a daycare setting).
      • See what else they can offer in the Informational Resources section.
  • Circle of Security
      • This is an eight-week class designed to help parents understand their child's emotional needs, support their child in managing their own emotions, enhance their child's self-esteem, and to honor parents' wisdom and desire for their child to be secure. These classes are offered through many organizations, including CEDARS in Lincoln and Rooted In Relationships.

Resources in Lincoln

Resources in Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson Counties (ESU 4)

  • Southeast Nebraska Community Action (SENCA)
      • This organization promotes early childhood education through the Foster Grandparent Program which provides activities for children enrolled in Early Head Start and Head Start programs that encourages social-emotional development.
      • SENCA also offers Court Appointed Special Advocates to support children who are victims of abuse or neglect.
      • See what else they can offer in the Material Resources and the Informational Resources sections.

Resources in Gage, Jefferson, and Thayer Counties (ESU 5)

  • Mother to Mother Ministry
      • This volunteer-run organization is run by women, for women. It offers monthly meetings with social, recreational, and educational programs and activities for mothers and children. It also offers Story Time for preschoolers and their parents to enjoy a story with crafts, snacks, and time to socialize.
      • It is funded by, and located in, the Burwood Books building at 609 Court Street, Beatrice, NE 68310. They can be contacted at 402-223-6042, or mother2motherm@gmail.com.
      • See what else they can offer in the Material Resources section.
  • Salvation Army
      • This organization offers emotional and spiritual support through their Pathway of Hope program for families with children under the age of 18. This program offers strengths-based casework with the intent of helping families break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
      • There is a Salvation Army centered in Beatrice at 120 S 7th St, Beatrice (402-223-3341) and in Fairbury (402-898-5942).
      • See what else they can offer in the Material Resources and the Informational Resources sections.
  • St. Vincent de Paul
      • This organization can help families by providing them with emotional support when they are going through difficult times.
      • They can be reached at 402-806-1508.
      • See what else they can offer in the Material Resources.

Resources in Fillmore, Saline, Seward, and York Counties (ESU 6)

  • York Crisis Pregnancy Center
      • This program can offer referrals to pastors, local churches and Christian counseling services, and ongoing support and friendship.
      • The center is located at York Crisis Pregnancy Center 613 Grant York, NE 68467 and can be reached by phone at (402) 362-2273.