Utilizing the Best Programs for Nebraska’s Children
Ensuring the safety and well-being of Nebraska’s kids is our state’s top priority. Providing access to programs that best guarantee the delivery of nutritional foods is vital.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, person-to-person interaction was severely restricted. As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) created the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program.
At the time of this emergency, P-EBT was an important program to deliver services for Nebraskans most in need.
In 2021, Governor Ricketts declared an end to the pandemic. President Biden declared it over in May of this year. Recently, the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (S-EBT) was created to essentially continue the pandemic era P-EBT. Continuing a pandemic-based policy is not reflective of Nebraska’s current social or economic conditions.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is com- mitted to fighting food insecurity and improving the economic self-sufficiency of Nebraskans. Nebraska has a robust infrastructure of established and timeproven programs already in place connecting Nebraskans to the resources and support they need.
It includes the continued utilization of the Summer Food Services Program (SFSP). This program is designed to meet the needs of school children during the summer months, by providing no-cost healthy meals and snacks to children and teens at various sites. These programs also include enrichment activities such as reading, physical activity, and nutrition education. SFSP allows program organizers to interact with children in a safe and supervised environment. Organizers also identify whether additional support services may be required.
Another option is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It provides supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income families so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. There is also the SNAP E&T program which partners with Ignite Nebraska. It assists those who are receiving assistance in gaining needed training and skills to obtain high-paying careers.
DHHS also connects families to other programs for help with food assistance, such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) through local food banks, and the Double Up Food Bucks program operated by the University of Nebraska. In addition, DHHS has earmarked $10 million in funding to help support food banks throughout Nebraska.
I encourage Nebraskans to visit iServe.Nebraska.Gov, or call the Office of Economic Assistance at (855) 632-7633. Knowledgeable, dedicated, and compassionate public servants are ready to assess families' situations, determine eligibility for economic assistance programs and refer families to community resources. Shannon Grotrian, Director of the Office of Economic Assistance, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
